This week we are thrilled to share the mic with an exceptionally talented and experienced registered veterinary technician who is also an accredited expert in feline behavior. Tabitha Kucera RVT, CCBC, KPA-CTP is a pioneer for veterinary technicians in the area of feline behavior. On this week’s podcast, Tabitha shares her story of becoming an RVT, why she chose to specialize in feline behavior, and what she’s doing today to help make the veterinary world more feline-friendly. This is an entertaining and educational conversation that any veterinary professional will benefit from hearing. Be sure to listen to the entire podcast to find out why Tabitha thinks it’s an excellent idea for feline practitioners to consider enrolling in a Karen Pryor dog training course!

Recent news stories have featured human surgeons performing procedures on dogs, human dentists treating animal’s teeth, and other human medical professional treating animals. This week we explore how we, as veterinary professionals, feel about this touchy topic. Where are the professional boundaries? Why aren’t these physicians and dentists being questioned by veterinary medical boards? How would you feel if a veterinarian performed surgery on you? This is an extremely interesting conversation on a topic that rarely gets discussed! Find out what made Dr. Ernie Ward say: “Are we onto something big that’s beginning as a drip-drip that turns into a deluge of change?” We would love to hear what you think about this issue!

One of the most controversial topics in the veterinary profession during the past few years has been the Veterinary Nurse Initiative (VNI). What should veterinary technicians be called? What should their credentials be? And what responsibilities should they have? This week we’re pleased to sit down with one the VNI’s most vocal, and articulate, critics, Liz Hughston, RVT, VTS (SAIM, ECC). Liz has been a guest before, and this time she shares her disagreements with Mark Cushing, JD, the lead attorney for the VNI. Liz is an outstanding guest, and listen to find out why Dr. Ward said “every neural connection on this topic was blown” after listening to Liz’s cogent arguments. 

This is an AMAZING episode. PLEASE forgive us for Dr. Ward’s audio… he was traveling and wound up stuck in a very echo corner of a random office for this recording! Thank you again, LIZ!

Empowering your veterinary team to do their best and finding their personal superpowers isn’t a myth. This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor meet with Tracy Dowdy, CVPM to discuss team empowerment. Strategies to better utilize your team members, what a relationship-centered business looks like, and what independent veterinary practices can learn about empowering staff from corporate practices. 

Veterinary clinics and veterinary professionals are increasingly falling prey to online hacks and internet scams. From spearfishing to catfishing to drug diversion, veterinarians and veterinary technicians are vulnerable to schemes targeting their social media profiles, personal data, and professional licenses. This week we tackle this frightening topic that affects us all. This is an important conversation you should have with your team (and family) today!

We're back with another dermatological dilemma we confront (nearly) every day: the itching dog! Atopy, insect bite, and food allergies fill our schedules, challenge our teams, and frustrate everyone (especially the poor pet suffering from incessant itching)! This week we're joined by veterinary dermatologist Dr. Candace Sousa. She shares her insights and advice on diagnosing and treating itchy dogs, as well as the latest trends and tips in testing and treatment. Host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney have a wide-ranging conversation that will help any veterinary practice more confidently help itching patients.  

Emotional blackmail in veterinary practice by clients and colleagues is a common experience for veterinarians and veterinary technicians. This week host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor have a raw and candid discussion about how it feels to be taken advantage of, emotionally manipulated, and deliberately hurt by clients and coworkers seeking to harm others. 

CBD products for pets are everywhere these days! We know pet owners and veterinary professionals have plenty of questions, and we've got answers! This week veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor are joined with Phyto Animal Health CEO Ian Quinn to review the current legal and regulatory status of CBD, where veterinary professionals can find the latest clinical research, and answers to many of our most pressing questions. If clients are asking you about CBD for their pets, this podcast is for you! In addition, Ian shares his favorite CBD companies (in addition to his own), and why a COA is essential when selecting CBD products. Ian also shares how much pot he thinks might be fatal for Willie Nelson! (jk, but he does) BONUS: Ian shares his favorite pot joke at the end! (It's really corny...but funny!)

Itchy pets can be one of the most frustrating signalments seen in veterinary practice. This week we chat with Board-certified veterinary dermatologist, Dr. Andrew Hillier from Zoetis, to discuss the latest developments in the diagnosis, treatment and client communication strategies for allergic dermatitis. This is a high energy conversation that walks you through the practical (and shockingly simple) steps your veterinary team needs to take to ensure better treatment - and compliance - with your dermatology recommendations. 

This week we review breaking news about the Veterinary Nurse Initiative (VNI) with lead attorney Mark Cushing from Animal Policy Group. Veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary nurse (RVT) Beckie Mossor review the latest developments and objective from the VNI lead lawyer. Whether you support or object to the VNI, this is a conversation all sides can benefit from listening -- from start to finish!

Fake news! Corporate conspiracies! It seems like nearly every week there’s a new viral veterinary news story that, well, isn’t as truthful as veterinary professionals might prefer.  This week host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor take on Fake Veterinary News, fake veterinary professionals (maybe even those that claim to be “animal behaviorists,” have a CBS television show and will be featured at VMX in a keynote!?), and how to scientifically and politely dispel these myths. This episode is a must-listen for your team to stay ahead of breaking news, communicate more effectively with your clients, and learn how to spot fake news stories. 

Standards of veterinary medical care can be complicated and confusing — and downright tricky to agree upon. This week host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor explore how a veterinary clinic should choose protocols, what protocols should be enforced, and what treatment options should be more flexible?  This lively discussion should spark your team to more closely examine how we decide to do the things we do in veterinary medicine.