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.
Podcast: Pet Loss - Grief, Clients, and Our Stories
This week's podcast touches on an important and highly emotional topic: Pet Loss. Listen in as Dr. Ernie Ward shares his recent loss of his beloved dog, Sandy, how his family is dealing with the aftermath. The team talks about grief in both veterinary professionals and clients, why grieving for pets is so intense, what "grief disenfranchisement" is all about, and how we can better understand and help our colleagues and clients as they confront the death of a pet. Share your own stories and experiences in the comments below or send us a private message.
Podcast: Live from WVC 2017
This week Beckie Mossor, RVT reports from the 2017 Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) in sunny Las Vegas, Nevada. Drs. Ernie Ward & Cyndie Courtney inquire about the world's second largest conference, buzz and busts, Elvis sightings, why isn't anyone posting on social media, where are the best spots to nurse an infant and dine (not necessarily at the same time, bonus points if possible), and so much more in this week's decidedly Vegas episode. Join the conversation on Facebook/Veterinary Viewfinder and Twitter @VetViewfinder.
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
Podcast: Love In The Veterinary Profession - Our Spouses Tell All
This week our hosts are joined by their spouses for a special romantic Valentine's Day edition. Dr. Ernie Ward and his wife, Laura, talk with Dr. Cyndie Courtney and her husband, Mike, along with Beckie Mossor, RVT and her hubby, Timmy. The trio dish on how they met, the perils of dating a veterinary professional, the best bits and grossest stories, and advice for keeping romance alive while caring for animals. Share your love stories with us at Facebook/Veterinary Viewfinder and on Twitter @VetViewfinder.
Podcast: Live from The North American Veterinary Conference: The Good, Bad, and BIG
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward & Beckie Mossor, RVT report live from The North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC) in Orlando, Florida while host Dr. Cyndie Courtney is stuck in Kansas. Topics include the name change to VMX, long walks, Robin Roberts and Darius Rucker, hot topics, tattoos, emerging trends, controversies and confusions and... NO (real) STARBUCKS! Will our hosts survive and remain (somewhat) coherent?
Podcast: Lack of Diversity in the Veterinary Profession - What Can We Do?
Veterinarians Ernie Ward & Cyndie Courtney with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor ask, "Is the veterinary profession the least diverse on the planet?" What are some of the current challenges to diversity in the veterinary healthcare fields, how can we encourage more diverse student populations, and how can we prepare veterinarians for the future? We'd like to hear your thoughts! Facebook and Twitter!
Podcast: Practice What You Preach - How Well Do Veterinary Providers Care For Their Own Pets?
Veterinarians Drs. Ernie Ward & Cyndie Courtney with veterinary technician Beckie Mossor explore whether or not veterinary healthcare teams provide the same level of pet care they ask of their clients? What if a team member disagrees with a clinic's or veterinarian's recommendations or protocol? These questions along with each host's biggest struggle of caring for their own pets.
The conversations behind the care
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Have a guest or topic idea?
Suggestions, questions, and guest pitches are always welcome. The fastest way to reach the show is by email.