Tackling the toughest topics in veterinary medicine

The Veterinary
Viewfinder

Candid conversations on the issues shaping veterinary medicine.

Dr. Ernie Ward Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT Hosted by Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM & Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT

New episodes weekly · On the air since 2016

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Two perspectives, one profession

Dr. Ernie Ward

Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM

Veterinarian · Author · Advocate

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 Mossor, MPA, RVT

Veterinary Technician · Educator

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.

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Boundaries Aren’t Selfish—They Keep You in Vet Med
Boundaries Aren’t Selfish—They Keep You in Vet Med

Why can taking PTO, stepping away during the holidays, leaving on time, or protecting even one hour for yourself feel like letting down your team or the people you love?

This week, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, unpack the guilt veterinary professionals often carry when they step away from the clinic. Their message is simple: feeling guilty is not the same as being selfish, and discomfort does not mean a boundary is wrong.

Beckie reflects on her own evolution from a “baby technician” who felt she had something to prove to someone who learned that rest and boundaries are worth the initial discomfort. As she reminds listeners, “You can’t expect that free time to just come.” Even five, ten, or fifteen protected minutes can be a meaningful place to begin, and, after taking that time, “you do come back better.”

Ernie shares the lesson that has guided him through decades in veterinary medicine: “If I were trying to protect my time to improve my overall health, that was not selfish. It was essential.” In fact, he makes a strong case for how protecting your well-being can help you better support your family, coworkers, clients, and patients over the long term.

Our hosts also challenge practice owners, managers, medical directors, and teammates to examine the culture surrounding PTO and self-care. Comments like “must be nice” or “I wish I could do that” can turn time spent on personal growth into shame. Thoughtful scheduling, appropriate coverage, and genuine encouragement can make healthy boundaries possible, and business leaders must lead by example.

They also point out that self-care is not limited to vacations or spa days. It may be a walk, a workout, a chapter of a book, a few quiet minutes, or meaningful time with the people you love.

The goal is not perfect balance. It is returning with more energy, patience, and perspective, and building a veterinary career that leaves room for a life beyond the clinic.

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Dr. Ernie Ward Dr. Ernie Ward

Tough Topics and Trends in 2022 for the Veterinary Profession

Happy New Year, Viewfinders! This week our hosts preview the veterinary profession’s toughest topics and trends we predict for 2022!

Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT join in a rapid-fire discussion of the top challenges they foresee for 2022 (and beyond).

Some of the issues they discuss include:

  • Veterinary workforce shortages

  • Mental health issues (burnout, depression, compassion fatigue, substance abuse, etc.)

  • Veterinary staff wages and benefits

  • Student loans an date rising cost of DVM/RVT degrees

  • Inflation of vet services and products - what impacts will inflation have on patient care and client communications?

  • Social media complaints - We’re seeing reports of vets being charged with ethics and professional behavior violations when they engage clients online. Yikes!

  • Corporatization vs Independent Practices: How can we get along and compete?

  • Core vaccines - potential challenges post-pandemic vaccine controversies?

  • Politics - Veterinary Practices and 2022 Midterms

  • What happened to the Veterinary Nurse Initiative (VNI)? Our continuing plea for veterinary technician Title Protection

  • Telemedicine - Muddy waters ahead or smooth sailing?

  • Brachycephalic breeds - Will US veterinary professionals speak out as they are in the UK?

  • CBD - definitely maybe?

  • Climate change

  • Animal welfare and Food animal production, ventilation Shutdown (VSD)

Looks like 2022 is going to be an exciting and promising year! Happy New Year, Viewfinders!

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Dr. Ernie Ward Dr. Ernie Ward

Podcast: Facebook for Veterinary Professionals with Dr. Caitlin DeWilde

Nearly 2 billion people, including veterinary professionals, are using Facebook in 2018. This week Drs. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with Beckie Mossor, RVT talk with Dr. Caitlin DeWilde about social media and her business, The Social DVM. The group discuss Caitlin's story of becoming a veterinarian, the recent changes to the Facebook News Feed algorithm, and practical advice for managing a veterinary clinic's Facebook Page.  

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Dr. Ernie Ward Dr. Ernie Ward

Podcast: The Huge Problem of Pet Obesity - 2016 U.S. Pet Obesity Survey Results & Controversies

Pet obesity in the U.S. continued to steadily increase last year, affecting nearly 59% of cats and 54% of dogs, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). During their ninth annual survey, APOP also found pet owners and veterinary professionals disagreed on key pet food issues such as the benefits of corn and grains, value of raw and organic diets, and the best sources of pet nutritional advice. Veterinarian and APOP founder Ernie Ward, Dr. Cyndie Courtney, and Beckie Mossor, RVT talk about these issues and more this week! Follow us on Facebook at Veterinary Viewfinder or Twitter @VetViewfinder

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What We Cover

The conversations behind the care

Practice culture & leadership
Client communication
Clinical controversy & ethics
Practice finances & the business of medicine
Trending issues & profession news
Technology & the future of care
Veterinary technician careers
Career paths & entrepreneurship
Wellbeing in the profession
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