The Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast
Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, have co-hosted their award-winning weekly veterinary podcast since 2016. Each week, they “tackle the toughest topics in veterinary medicine,” highlighting controversial issues and trending news, introducing veterinary key opinion leaders and provocateurs, and offering solutions to the myriad challenges facing the veterinary profession.
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Recession Proof? Have Veterinary Clinics Been Killing Growth Due to Staff Shortages, Placing Them At Risk During Recession?
We’ve heard too many stories the past few months of veterinary clinics not taking new patients or unable to see routine care appointments for weeks. Have the pandemic, workplace shortage, an inflation made the veterinary industry potentially less “recession proof” than before? Viewfinders, let’s tackle this tough topic!
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss how some clinics may be inadvertently putting themselves at increased risk of recession impacts due to not accepting new patients, long waits for annual care, and rising prices.
Dr. Ward points out why this potential recession may be unlike any other for the veterinary profession as a multitude of veterinary market forces conspire to threaten our traditional economic resilience.
Beckie discusses her concerns that too many veterinary practices may not appreciate that today’s clients may not be as loyal as in the past and that vet-flation may cause many pet parents to price shop out services.
Our hosts discuss the “veterinary workforce translocation” that may hav additional impacts on how independent vet clinics operate in the future. They also discuss steps every clinic needs to take now to lessen the affects of a potential economic downturn.
Viewfinders, we hope this episode gives you ideas on how to weather the economic storms that may lie ahead. Don’t forget to head over to Apple Podcasts and drop 5-stars on on us so we may reach more veterinary colleagues! If you have any questions or topic ideas, email us at veterinaryviewfinder@gmail.com!
Many veterinary teams have one: the colleague who runs to management about every minor mistake or late trash bag. But when does necessary reporting turn into destructive tattling?
This week on The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, unpack one of the profession’s most frustrating dynamics: coworkers who undermine team culture by excessive fault-finding.
Hosts Dr. Ward and vet tech Beckie Mossor examine how tattletale behavior often stems from insecurity, perfectionism, or even underlying issues like OCD, yet still chips away at psychological safety and trust. They discuss the difference between legitimate reporting and gossip, and why managers must address patterns early before morale collapses. Ignoring the issue doesn’t make it go away; it drives good employees out while problem behavior festers.
Listeners will learn practical strategies, such as anonymous “concern boxes,” structured feedback models (SBI: Situation, Behavior, Impact), and defining gossip as “talking to someone who can’t solve the problem.” The hosts also share real-life examples where unchecked tattling escalated into fractured teams, cover-ups, and even departures of top performers.
Whether you’re a manager navigating a chronic complainer or a technician tired of walking on eggshells, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tools to help you reclaim a healthier clinic culture. Because in veterinary medicine, trust isn’t optional; it’s the foundation of patient care.