Tackling the toughest topics in veterinary medicine
The Veterinary
Viewfinder
Candid conversations on the issues shaping veterinary medicine.
Hosted by Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM & Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT
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Two perspectives, one profession
Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM
Dr. Ernie Ward is a veterinarian, author, and longtime advocate for pets and the veterinary profession. Based in coastal North Carolina, he founded the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention in 2005 and the World Pet Obesity Association in 2023, pairing public education for pet owners with clinical standards for veterinary teams. He is Chief Veterinary Officer of VetFamily US.
An author and a familiar voice across national media, Ernie is known for putting the profession’s hardest conversations front and center. Since 2016, he and Beckie have co-hosted the Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast, a weekly show that digs into the toughest and most controversial topics in veterinary medicine, features leading voices in the field, and looks for practical answers to the challenges veterinary teams face.
Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT
Beckie is a Credentialed Veterinary Technician from Southport, NC, and founding director of the American Association of Credentialed Veterinary Technicians, where she has shaped national conversations on technician utilization, representation on veterinary medical boards, and equity in veterinary organizational structures.
Her work has been published in professional outlets, and she presents internationally on the intersections of veterinary medicine, leadership, and advocacy. She is proud to be the first credentialed veterinary technician to serve on the WSAVA Professional Wellness Committee.
Beckie also co-founded the Veterinary Industry Giving Tree, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterinary professionals through financial hardship, and has co-hosted the Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast for nearly a decade — bringing candid, often provocative conversations and fierce advocacy to the profession.
Credentialed Vet Techs Earned Their Week. So Why Are We Debating It?
Veterinary Technician Week is meant to recognize credentialed veterinary technicians. But somewhere along the way, has the celebration become too complicated?
This week on the Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, look at why Vet Tech Week continues to spark debate across veterinary medicine.
Should practices broaden the celebration to include the entire team, or does that unintentionally diminish the people the week was created to recognize? And has a full week of lunches, gifts, activities, and expectations become more than clinics or technicians actually need?
Ernie and Beckie talk about why professional recognition matters, how seemingly small decisions can affect team culture, and why appreciation doesn’t need to be expensive or elaborate. They also ask a bigger question: Would one meaningful day of recognition, paired with a week focused on educating clients and the profession about what credentialed veterinary technicians actually do, make Vet Tech Week more effective?
Vet Tech Week: Oct 18-24, 2026 Celebrate the Credentials. Support the Career.
What does it look like to celebrate veterinary technicians and support the careers they’ve worked hard to build?
First, a reminder: October 2026 is World Pet Obesity Month. Sign your clinic up for APOP’s 2026 Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey, running October 1–December 31. Eligible U.S. clinics receive a $50 stipend after submitting at least 15 complete, eligible records that pass APOP’s data review. Now back to this week’s episode!
This week, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, look ahead to National Veterinary Technician Week, October 18–24, and explore new resources from the American Association of Credentialed Veterinary Technicians (AACVT).
Beckie shares practical tools for requesting a raise, building a résumé, preparing for interviews, and navigating title protection. They also discuss mobile care resources, speaking opportunities, and why celebrating credentialed veterinary technicians doesn’t mean valuing anyone else less.
For credentialed veterinary technicians, it’s a chance to find support for your next professional step. For veterinarians and practice managers, it’s a reminder to plan ahead, help clients understand who does what, and recognize the education and expertise behind the credentials.
The Good, Bad, and Ugly of National Veterinary Technician Week 2024
In this week's episode of “The Veterinary Viewfinder,” Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor tackle an unexpectedly tough topic: the controversy surrounding National Veterinary Technician Week. While this week, from October 13 to 19, is dedicated to celebrating the tireless efforts and vital contributions of credentialed veterinary technicians, not everyone is on board. Beckie shares her perspective on the growing divide within the veterinary community regarding how—and whether—this week should be celebrated.
Some argue that National Veterinary Technician Week isn’t being properly recognized, while others are even refusing to participate altogether. Dr. Ward and Beckie discuss these issues, expressing concerns about the negativity surrounding what should be a time for unity and appreciation.
Despite the controversies, our hosts highlight inspiring stories of dedicated vet techs and reinforce the true purpose of this week: to honor and uplift credentialed veterinary technicians who are the backbone of veterinary care.
Join the conversation as Dr. Ward and Beckie dig into the good, the bad, and the ugly of National Veterinary Technician Week.
If you enjoy our podcast, please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or your preferred platform. Your support helps us connect with more veterinary colleagues. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic!
National Veterinary Technician Week is Oct 15-21, 2023
This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Veterinary Technician Week! We’ve got the President-Elect of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), Beckie Mossor, RVT, to tell us what you need to know and do!
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, discuss this year’s National Vet Tech Week theme, “Pearls of Wisdom,” and what it means to them.
Our hosts share their top tips for celebrating your registered veterinary technicians and how you can avoid practice drama over not observing others. Yes, we go there.
Dr. Ward shares his tips on using social media to hire vet techs, and Beckie offers tips on using social media to recognize your vet techs’ awesomeness! Bonus hiring and celebration tips are included!
We’d also like to publicly recognize NAVTA and Hill’s Pet Nutrition for their 30 years of commitment to National Veterinary Technician Week. Thank you!
To learn more, visit: https://navta.net/national-veterinary-technician-week/
Let's Talk about National Veterinary Technician Week Oct 16-22, 2022
National Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week is October 16-22, 2022. This week we celebrate our amazing licensed veterinary technicians! The “backbone,” “heart,” or “insert organ system of your choice here” of veterinary medicine!
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, take time this week to talk about the invaluable contributions veterinary technicians make to the veterinary profession. Our hosts share tips on how you can recognize your vet techs, why they deserve a whole year of celebrations, and how to attract more great folks to the vet tech profession.
The pair also discuss their views on “resilience” and some of its associated risks as this year’s theme.
Viewfinders, we hope you’ll take time to do something special for your vet techs from October 16-22, 2022. If you do, please share it on our Instagram or Facebook pages! If you have questions or ideas for future podcasts, email us at veterinaryviewfinder@gmail.com.
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