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.
People Outside the Veterinary Profession Who Inspire Us
We all have someone we look up to, are inspired by, or seek to emulate. This week we share some of the people outside the veterinary profession who have taught us, pushed us to do more, and are making the world better. We talk about famous authors, teachers, friends, and more during this uplifting episode.
Exercising with your Dog! K9 Fit Club Tricia Montgomery
This week we speak with the founder of K9 Fit Club, a group dedicated to developing human and dog fitness programs. Tricia Montgomery shares her story with host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor. Exercise tips, weight loss, diet trends, and more are discussed in this conversation from St Louis, Missouri!
Dermatological Drama with Veterinary Dermatologist Dr Dana Liska
Itching dogs, chronic dermatitis, frustrated clients, online myths (and bad advice) all add up to create dermatological drama in our veterinary practices! This week we chat with veterinary dermatologist Dr Dana Liska to dispel mountains of misconceptions, dispense practical diagnostic and treatment advice, and soothe our weary minds and souls when it comes to conquering chronic dermatitis! Dr Liska joins host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney plus registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor for a candid, energetic, and entirely practical guide to dealign with chronic dermatitis in your patients. We learned so much and had so much fun - and you will, too!
Top Things You Need to Start - or Stop - Doing in your Clinic Today
Join us this week for a rapid fire session on our top tips to make your personal and professional life a little easier, more efficient, and more fun! Host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor share their best quick bits of advice for veterinary practice, patient care, client service and self-care. If you enjoy fast-paced, real-world recommendations, you’re going to love this special episode!
LIVE from the 2018 AVMA Conference! What does change mean for the veterinary profession?
This week the entire gang gets together - for the first time in person! - to record a special podcast from the floor of the 2018 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado. Host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor go deep on CHANGE! What, how fast, should, could, and WHY change is essential for veterinary professionals. The trio talk about the recent AVMA debarking controversy, CBD usage, the veterinary nurse initiative, telemedicine/telehealth, and much, much more! We think you’ll enjoy this rapid-fire, no holds barred, and frank discussion about why change seems to take forever — or in the blink of an eye! Sorry for the noisy background… they were all veterinary colleagues!
We Can’t Find Veterinary Professionals to Hire! Challenges & Solutions for Today’s Tight Job Market and “DVM-lite”
Where are all the registered veterinary technicians and veterinarians? More and more veterinary clinics are reporting significant challenges hiring - and keeping - qualified veterinary team members. Host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor review the current veterinary job market woes and offer suggestions on finding the best employees. Dr. Ward revives his “DVM-lite” limited licensure model from 15 years ago and reviews why he believes the veterinary profession may go the way of Family and General Practice human medical doctors. Th group give advice on recruiting and hiring staff as well as pay, benefits, and creating a healthy and welcoming clinic culture to retain employees.
Tightening the Leash: Increasing Animal Regulations - What Should Veterinary Professionals Do?
Mandatory spay and neuter regulations, breed bans, microchip laws, and doggie DNA testing for renters - we’re seeing a wave of new animal regulations sweep the world. Host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor engage in a spirited discussion on whether or not animal regulations have gone too far (or not far enough), and what veterinary professionals should do to encourage better pet care. The trio tackle the recent Fort Worth, Texas pet microchipping controversy, Delta Airlines’ ban of pit bull breed emotional support dogs, DNA testing to identify dog poop, and RETRACTABLE LEASHES!
Should people who can't afford pets have pets? Does the veterinary profession have any responsibility to provide care?
This week we wrestle once again with the topic of money-guilt harbored by many veterinary professionals. This time, we explore issues around homeless people with pets, standards of pet care, pet care shaming, and more. This is an excellent roundtable on a topic most veterinary professionals must confront nearly daily.
Service Animal Shenanigans! Plane Bans, Fake Badges, and Snakes on a Plane: What's a Veterinary Professional Supposed to Do?
One of the most controversial pet travel topics these days is the designation of "emotional support animal” and "service animal." This week our trio, Drs. Ernie Ward & Cyndie Courtney, along with Beckie Mossor RVT, take to the skies, trains, and restaurants as they confront the perils of emotional support animals. What is the difference between "service animal" and "emotional support dog?" Can you really buy "fake" service dog vests on Amazon? Who’s in charge of regulating and verifying “service animals?” Why did Delta recently ban "pit-bull breed" dogs as support companions? What role do veterinary professionals play in all of this? This is a must-share episode with ANYONE in the veterinary profession.
Veterinary Corporatization: What Does It Mean for Us?
This week, we discuss the current global wave of corporatization and consolidation of the veterinary profession. Host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor review the pros and cons of working in a corporate practice, whether or not consolidation is (or ever was) inevitable, and what does this mean for the future of veterinary professionals? It's a good one...
Summer Loving and Summer Stressing in Veterinary Practice
It's summer! Yaaay! Oh, noooo! Along with sunshine, long days, and chillin' by the pool comes unexpected stress in veterinary practice. Host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor take a beachside/lakeside/online stroll down some of the profession's most treacherous June through September trails. Tourists, drop-in non-client emergencies, the Monday flu, and fighting for time off are tackled in this "for reals" conversation. And Dr. Ward ponders, "Where did all the summer high school and college helpers go?" This is one hot and sticky podcast...
Female Entrepreneurship with Dr Liz Bales, Inventor of Indoor Hunting Feeder System for Cats
This week, we've got a master class in entrepreneurship with Dr. Liz Bales, inventor of the Indoor Feeder (formerly the NoBowl Feeder) for cats. Dr. Bales joins Drs. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney to discuss how she evolved from equine practice to feline (see what I did there?), how she went from good idea to an actual product, and her best advice for anyone who has a good idea. This is an AMAZING conversation that will benefit any veterinary professional in their job and career.
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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.