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
Listen & subscribe
New episodes appear here the moment they publish — no need to update this page.
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 2024, pairing public education for pet owners with clinical standards for veterinary teams.
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.
National Veterinary Receptionist Week April 24-30, 2022
Happy National Veterinary Receptionist Week! This week we celebrate the incredible veterinary receptionists that make our lives so much better! April 24-30, 2022
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT share the many reasons that veterinary receptionist are integral - and essential - members of the veterinary healthcare team.
Veterinary receptionists are the initial, and often final, point of contact for pet parents in a veterinary clinic, answer medical and pet care questions, and handle a host of challenging client interactions - Let's Show Veterinary Receptionists the Love They Deserve!
Our hosts discuss the evolving terminology of veterinary receptionists, including customer service representatives (CSR's) and Dr. Ward's own "Client Coordinators."
They share why front desk turnover rates may be affecting a clinic's growth, and why low wages and benefits may be a part of the problem. Roles, responsibilities, and training are also covered in this dynamic conversation.
Viewfinders, we hope you'll find this podcast inspiring and encourage you to celebrate your veterinary receptionists this April!
For more information, visit https://www.veterinaryreceptionistweek.com
Happy National Veterinary Receptionist Week!
This week we are honoring the often unsung heroes of a veterinary clinic, the veterinary receptionists or CSRs!
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT have a “Conversation of Celebration” detailing the many amazing and inspiring abilities of the support staff that allow vets and vet techs to be their best!
Dr. Ward Ability marvels at how veterinary receptionists are able to recognize pets by their family’s cars! He also explains how receptionists/CSRs CSRs represent the clinic personality, mission, and standards and are integral to client loyalty. He also explains why we need to train and pay our receptionists better.
Beckie shares her recent experiences taking both her sister’s and her own dog the vet and how a receptionist really made her feel welcome.
Dr. Ward shares why he believes our receptionists are so essential to a successful client experience because “they own:”
The client’s first impression
The first smile
The first “Hello”
Are asked the first question
The last goodbye
The client’s last question
Provide the last reminder
Viewfinders, this week we hope you’ll take time to celebrate and recognize your clinic’s “Jack or Jill of All Trades.” Our veterinary receptionist are true multitaskers and multi-disciplinarians. Every day, they deal with conflict management, sometimes serve as grief counselors, and are responsible for emergency triage. All while answering phones, billing out, scheduling, and fetching meds - ALL WITH A SMILE! I’m exhausted reading this!
Viewfinders, let us know how you’re celebrating National Veterinary Receptionist Week!
The conversations behind the care
Listen wherever you get podcasts
Have a guest or topic idea?
Suggestions, questions, and guest pitches are always welcome. The fastest way to reach the show is by email.