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 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.
Next Gen Vet Tech Schools: Choosing the Best Program for You
Choosing a veterinary or veterinary technician school is one of the most important - and potentially challenging - decisions you’ll make in your career. Today, technology and educational innovations provide vets and vet techs with more professional school choices than ever before. This week, let’s look at one exciting new veterinary technician program developed by our very own Beckie Mossor, RVT!
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT explore the next generation of veterinary technician programs. Dr. Ward begins by sharing a recent “random Facebook message” he received about choosing a veterinary school and the advice he offered.
Beckie takes us on a deep dive into the current state of US veterinary technician schools and why she’s excited to share some of the innovations of her new A.S in Veterinary Medical technology Program from Gurnick Academy. And Dr. Ward explains why that A.S. degree might be more important to your decision than you might think.
Viewfinders. Share this podcast with any students or colleagues interested in pursuing a prolonged career in vet med!
To learn more about Beckie’s Gurnick Academy veterinary technician A.S. program, click here: https://www.gurnick.edu/programs/veterinary-medical-technology-program/
If you’d like to learn more about all the veterinary technician programs accredited by the AVMA CVTEA, check out this link: https://bit.ly/3yl7YKn
Massachusetts Bill Aims to Allow Injured Police Dogs in Ambulances & EMTs to Provide Essential Treatments
The Massachusetts State Senate recently approved a bill that ensures law enforcement officers' K-9 partners receive life-saving medical attention and transport in ambulances if they are injured in the line of duty.
The bill, known as Nero's Law, was drafted in response to the shooting that claimed the life of Yarmouth Police K-9 Sgt. Sean Gannon, and severely injured his K-9 partner, Nero.
This week our hosts, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, explore the impact such legislation could have and why veterinary professionals should be more involved.
Dr. Ward pledges his full support of Nero’s Law and expresses his surprise when he discovered the the majority of US states don’t allow injured law enforcement K-9’s to be transported in “human” ambulances.
Beckie shares her concern that veterinary clinics be fully integrated into the assistance of injured police K-9’s, including communicating and alerting emergency clinics of pending arrivals and for guidance on life-saving treatments.
Dr. Ward also encourages states to provide clear guidance on treating law enforcement K-9s exposed to narcotics and emergency administration of drugs such as naloxone.
Both discuss how the “devil is in the details” with this sort of legislation, and offer many tips to make the law more meaningful and helpful. And, yes, it starts with veterinary professionals!
Viewfinders, what do you think about this proposed law? What are your state’s rules and regulations regarding injured police dogs?
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