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.
Fun with Feline Expert Dr. Susan Little
Dr. Susan Little is widely known and incredibly respected in the feline veterinary world. This week Dr. Ernie ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor sit down with Dr. Little and explore how she became a veterinarian, her unlikely journey to feline expert, her favorite tips and tricks for practicing feline medicine, and a genuinely good conversation about the trio's shared love of the veterinary profession. Whether you're a feline fanatic or lover of all animals, this episode will warm your heart and inspire your week!
Podcast: Does It Suck to be a Veterinary Client?
Being a veterinary client or patient in the human healthcare system can, well, suck! Why is client and patient service often underwhelming, rushed, and, insensitive in the medical professions? Hosts Drs. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor share some of their most terrible medical appointment stories, common mistakes made in veterinary client service, and tips for making your team better. In this week's episode you'll also learn why Dr. Ward started giving money to his clients over 20 years ago and how any team can change their mindset with a few simple mental tricks. Join the conversation and share your thoughts on Facebook/VeterinaryViewfinder and Twitter @VetViewfinder.
Podcast: Why Mentoring Matters in the Veterinary Profession
Chances are, you’ve got plenty of people to thank for helping you attain the goal of working in the veterinary profession. Host veterinarians, Drs. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney, along with registered veterinary technician, Beckie Mossor, share the tales of who mentored them, what mentoring means to them, and how you can become an effective mentor in your clinic. Dr. Ward frankly discusses why many veterinary clinics don’t hire high school students or participate in veterinary school externship programs. The panel shares the ways mentoring has positively impacted their lives and how to find — and become — the best mentor. Finally, the trio ask if virtual or online mentorship counts? What role does social media, internet, books, podcasts, and more play in shaping and developing our careers and professional lives?
Podcast: People Pleasing Problems and Imposter Syndrome in the Veterinary Profession
You know the saying, “You can’t please everybody?” Well, it’s true. Unfortunately, most veterinary healthcare professionals are pleasers by nature and try to please everybody all of the time, resulting in big problems. This week, host veterinarians Dr. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician, Beckie Mossor, talk with Dr. Cherie Buisson about Imposter Syndrome in the veterinary profession. What exactly is “Imposter Syndrome,” how can you tell if you have it, simple steps to overcome it, and how to help those experiencing Imposter Syndrome in your clinic. The quartet also explores the problems with trying to please everybody - colleagues, bosses, and clients - and how to take, and give, constructive feedback. Join the conversation and share your thoughts on Facebook/VeterinaryViewfinder and Twitter @VetViewfinder.
Podcast: Ethical Dilemmas and Awkward Requests in Veterinary Practice
What do you do when you’re asked to do something unethical, immoral, illegal, or just plain weird in veterinary practice? What if it’s your boss, manager, or co-worker who asks you to do — or don’t do — something that makes you uncomfortable? Hosts Drs. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor tackle the tough topic of responding to these challenging scenarios in this week’s podcast.
Podcast: Dealing with Veterinary Medical Mistakes
Medical mistakes are estimated to result in over 250,000 human deaths in the U.S. each year. What about in veterinary medicine? What types of medical mistakes do we commonly encounter in our animal patients? What are steps we can do prevent medical mistakes and how should a veterinary clinic team respond when mistakes are made? Host veterinarians Drs. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor discuss real-world problems, their experiences, and offer suggestions and advice on avoiding medical mistakes in your clinic. Dr. Ward also shares a unique program from Australia to help you reduce medical errors.
Podcast: Non-Veterinary Pet Professionals: Enemies or Allies?
This week our hosts discuss how should veterinary professionals work with other pet care providers? Drs. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor contemplate the roles and responsibilities veterinarians and veterinary technicians have when referring to pet care individuals such as trainers, groomers, pet sitters, and boarding facilities. What should the veterinary profession do about unlicensed, non-credentialed, uneducated individuals offering advice on animal care? How can we determine which non-veterinary providers are safe for our patients and clients? How can we foster collaboration between veterinary professionals and everyone else? As Dr. Ward states, “This is an incredibly important topic that touches us all.”
Podcast: Veterinary Clinic Disaster Preparedness Tips from ASPCA
This week host veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward and veterinary technician Beckie Mossor are talking disaster preparedness for veterinary teams with ASPCA official Gina Manke. Learn how Gina got started with the ASPCA, what the top deployments are for ASPCA teams and volunteers, and how you can help in this week's podcast.
Podcast: 2017 AVMA Conference Attendee Interviews - (Special Edition!)
This is a special edition of the Veterinary Viewfinder. If you haven’t listened to episode 035, 2017 AVMA Conference podcast, please check it out to provide context for these unedited attendee interviews. Co-host Dr. Cyndie Courtney interviews several attendees of the 2017 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Courtney explores what attendees like or dislike about the AVMA an organized veterinary medicine, what their personal involvement is, and how to encourage veterinarians to become engaged in their profession. These three group discussions with experienced and new veterinarians and veterinary medical school students provide interesting insights into the topics on the minds of our colleagues. Join the conversation and share your thoughts on Facebook/VeterinaryViewfinder and Twitter @VetViewfinder.
Podcast: Overcoming Pet Cancer with @DrSueCancerVet
This week we talk about cancer in pets with veterinary oncologist Dr. Sue Ettinger. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward & Beckie Mossor, RVT are rejoined with Dr. Cyndie Courtney after her maternity leave. This episode focuses on how the veterinary team should approach cancer, the best ways to share a cancer diagnosis with pet owners, why Dr. Ward believes being non-judgmental is key to successful outcomes and emotional well-being of our staff, the role of veterinary technicians in helping cancer patients, and many more important topics concerning cancer.
Podcast: Workplace Warfare with Debbie Boone CVPM
Find out why Dr. Ward says, "You do not cure cancer by watching it grow."
Does your front staff fight your back? Do your technicians battle your receptionists? Does everyone combat the boss or manager? According to host veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward, workplace warfare affects nearly every veterinary practice around the world. Team disharmony negatively impacts patient care and productivity. This week Dr. Ward and co-host veterinary technician/nurse are joined by practice consultant and Certified Veterinary Practice Manager, Debbie Boone to discuss how you can overcome workplace tension and stress. A wide-ranging conversation covering common causes of conflict, how your attitude contributes or lessens tension, and simple steps anyone can take to better enjoy their work.
Podcast: Veterinary Euthanasia, Hospice, and more with Dr. Dani McVety
This week host veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward and veterinary technician Beckie Mossor have a deep conversation on euthanasia, veterinary hospice, compassion fatigue and more with Dr. Dani McVety. Dr. McVety is co-founder of Lap of Love, an in-home veterinary euthanasia and hospice care service. We discuss why Dr. McVety chose to pursue a career in veterinary euthanasia and hospice, best practices for in-home euthanasia, and how any veterinary team member can help provide a more comfortable euthanasia experience for pet owners. This is a wide-ranging conversation concerning what Dr. Ward calls, "Our most important procedure." Join the conversation on Facebook and @VetViewfinder
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Have a guest or topic idea?
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