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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Tough Topics and Trends in 2022 for the Veterinary Profession
Happy New Year, Viewfinders! This week our hosts preview the veterinary profession’s toughest topics and trends we predict for 2022!
Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT join in a rapid-fire discussion of the top challenges they foresee for 2022 (and beyond).
Some of the issues they discuss include:
Veterinary workforce shortages
Mental health issues (burnout, depression, compassion fatigue, substance abuse, etc.)
Veterinary staff wages and benefits
Student loans an date rising cost of DVM/RVT degrees
Inflation of vet services and products - what impacts will inflation have on patient care and client communications?
Social media complaints - We’re seeing reports of vets being charged with ethics and professional behavior violations when they engage clients online. Yikes!
Corporatization vs Independent Practices: How can we get along and compete?
Core vaccines - potential challenges post-pandemic vaccine controversies?
Politics - Veterinary Practices and 2022 Midterms
What happened to the Veterinary Nurse Initiative (VNI)? Our continuing plea for veterinary technician Title Protection
Telemedicine - Muddy waters ahead or smooth sailing?
Brachycephalic breeds - Will US veterinary professionals speak out as they are in the UK?
CBD - definitely maybe?
Climate change
Animal welfare and Food animal production, ventilation Shutdown (VSD)
Looks like 2022 is going to be an exciting and promising year! Happy New Year, Viewfinders!
Understanding the Veterinary Burnout Survey with Dr. Ivan Zak
Burnout affects every veterinary professional, regardless of where they work, what they do, or how old or educated they are. This week we’re thrilled to share the mic with Dr. Ivan Zak as he shares insights from his recent veterinary burnout research.
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT are joined by Dr. Ivan “Zak” Zakharenkov, a veterinarian who recently conducted his MBA dissertation on “Veterinary Burnout.” Dr. Zak reviews the difference between burnout, compassion fatigue, depression and other psychological challenges faced by all veterinary professionals.
The trio tackle the differences between staff burnout in independent versus corporate veterinary clinics, which age groups are more likely to experience burnout, and why veterinary technicians may face additional risks. How to recognize burnout both in yourself and your colleagues is also a highlight of the conversation.
Several solutions are discussed in addition to how better “lean management” principles can help your team avoid burnout and achieve harmony.
Viewfinders, this is an important conversation to have as we enter a new year - and new decade. How are you handling burnout in your clinic? Have you experienced burnout or have your colleagues? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on our social media channels.
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.