Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast

Dr. Ernie Ward & Beckie Mossor, RVT
  • 4.6 (94)
  • PETS & ANIMALS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Weekly podcast dedicated to "tackling the toughest topics in veterinary medicine." Hosted by veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor. Candid, irreverent, provocative, educational, and occasionally funny conversations about issues that impact the veterinary profession. Non-stop since 2016.

  1. 6D AGO

    Ask the Dog First: Why Most Dog Bites Are Preventable

    Dog bites are more common than most people realize, and nearly all of them are preventable. This week on The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, welcome back longtime friend and Certified Animal Behavior Consultant, Steve Dale, to talk about his new children’s book, Ask the Dog, and why it may be one of the most important dog bite prevention tools veterinarians can share. Each year, an estimated 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs, with hundreds of thousands requiring medical care. Steve explains why focusing only on asking the owner misses the most critical step: asking the dog. From subtle body language to displacement behaviors we routinely ignore, dogs often tell us when they are uncomfortable long before a bite happens. The conversation explores why hugging dogs, reaching hands toward faces, and forcing interactions can increase risk, even with familiar pets. The group also discusses the powerful role veterinary technicians and veterinarians play in translating dog behavior for clients, and how early education can reshape the next generation’s relationship with dogs. This episode is a must-listen for veterinary teams, pet parents, and anyone who believes preventing dog bites starts with listening better. #VeterinaryViewfinder #DogBitePrevention #AskTheDog #DogBehavior #veterinarymedicine #VetTechLife #FearFree #HumanAnimalBond #AnimalWelfare #ClientEducation

    25 min

  2. FEB 4

    Ranked, Rejected, or Hired: How AI Is Quietly Reshaping Careers

    Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in veterinary hiring. It is already here, quietly screening resumes, ranking candidates, and influencing who gets interviewed, hired, or never hears back at all. In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Becky Mosser, MPA, RVT, unpack how AI-driven hiring tools are changing the employment landscape across all industries, and it’s starting in veterinary medicine. From automated resume screeners to algorithm-based candidate rankings, these systems promise efficiency but raise serious concerns about transparency, bias, data privacy, and the loss of human judgment. The conversation explores how experienced veterinarians, technicians, and new graduates may be filtered out simply for not speaking the right “keyword language,” and why this creates emotional, professional, and legal risks for practices. The episode also examines emerging lawsuits challenging AI hiring practices, the ethical implications of data scraping and social media monitoring, and the growing pressure on clinics to adopt these tools without fully understanding how they work. For veterinary professionals navigating hiring, leadership, or career transitions, this discussion offers critical insight into what AI can and cannot do, and why maintaining human oversight may be more important than ever. Western Veterinary Conference 2026 - The Bridge Club Bright Minds Award Recognition: The Veterinary Viewfinder is honored as a 2026 Bridge Club Bright Minds as the Inaugural Industry Influencer Award recipient. Join us: February 15, 2026, 10–11 AM, Level 2, Inside Pawp Up at the Western Veterinary Conference, for the award reception and panel discussion. * #VeterinaryCareers * #VetMedLeadership * #AIinHealthcare * #VeterinaryWorkforce * #FutureOfVetMed

    27 min

  3. JAN 28

    VMX 2026: Big Energy, Bigger Questions

    VMX 2026 is in the books, and this week on Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Becky Mosser, MPA, RVT, share their observations from one of the biggest veterinary conferences ever, VMX in Orlando, Florida, USA. Our hosts reflect on record-breaking attendance, the growing presence of veterinary technicians and support staff, the rise of booth-based CE, and how AI continues to weave itself into nearly every corner of the exhibit hall. They also spend time on a topic that sparked real conversation on the show floor: the increasing presence of live animals in the exhibit hall. Drawing from international perspectives, personal experience, and a deep commitment to animal welfare, Ernie and Becky explore where enthusiasm, marketing, and responsibility intersect, and sometimes collide. As one question keeps coming up: “If we wouldn’t recommend this environment to our clients for their pets, we have to ask why we’re comfortable normalizing it at our own conferences.” This episode isn’t about easy answers. It’s about noticing patterns, asking better questions, and thinking carefully about what the future of veterinary conferences should look like. #VeterinaryViewfinder #VMX2026 #VetLife #VetConference #ChampionsOfCare

    31 min

  4. JAN 21

    Absentee Guilt: When Time Off Still Feels Like Work

    Many veterinary professionals struggle with a quiet but exhausting problem: absentee guilt. Whether it’s calling out sick, taking a vacation, or stepping away for personal time, being “off” rarely feels fully off. In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, dig into why stepping away from the clinic can feel so uncomfortable—and why that discomfort matters. They unpack how guilt becomes normalized in veterinary culture, how leadership behaviors shape expectations around availability, and why clinics that rely too heavily on a single person are setting everyone up for stress. The conversation covers sick days, establishing (and maintaining) personal boundaries while on vacation, handling unexpected after-hours texts, and the long-term risks of building practice systems that break down when a certain team member is absent. This episode offers a practical perspective for veterinarians, technicians, managers, and owners who want healthier boundaries without sacrificing patient care or team trust. The takeaway is clear: protecting time off isn’t selfish, it’s necessary for sustainability, safety, and staying in the profession long term #VeterinaryViewfinder #VetMedLife #VetTeamWellbeing #VeterinaryBurnout #ClinicCulture

    26 min

  5. JAN 14

    Why Vaccine Hesitancy Feels Harder Than Ever (and What to Do About It)

    Vaccine hesitancy is no longer just about cost or convenience. In this episode of Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor dig into why vaccine skepticism has become more emotional, more entrenched, and harder to navigate in today’s exam room. They move past talking points and focus on what actually helps veterinary teams in real-world conversations. You’ll hear practical guidance on leading with empathy without endorsing misinformation, staying grounded in evidence, and recognizing when a debate is not a debate at all. The discussion also covers why consistency across the entire clinic matters, from CSRs to technicians to doctors, and how gaps in vaccine education within the team can quietly undermine trust. This episode is especially relevant for clinics seeing more frequent vaccine refusals, rising concerns about rabies and zoonotic risk, and growing emotional fatigue around these discussions. You’ll walk away with mindset shifts, communication strategies, and concrete tools that protect patients, teams, and the profession without escalating conflict. #VeterinaryViewfinder #VetMed #VaccineHesitancy #VetTeamCommunication #PublicHealthVeterinary

    32 min

  6. JAN 7

    Shedding Old Skins: Rethinking Vet Organizations in a New Year

    As the veterinary profession heads into 2026, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, take on a topic many veterinary professionals think about but rarely discuss out loud: whether organized veterinary medicine is still serving the people it represents. This episode is an honest, thoughtful conversation about governance, leadership, and what happens when questioning the status quo is labeled as “disruption.” Beckie shares her recent decision to step away from national leadership, what led to it, and why dissent is often mistaken for disloyalty. Together, Ernie and Beckie unpack why transparency, inclusion, and listening matter more than ever as veterinary medicine grows more complex. You’ll hear why ignoring new ideas risks irrelevance, how veterinary technicians continue to fight for meaningful representation, and what other organizations are getting right when it comes to listening and adapting. This episode is not about burning things down. It’s about caring enough to make them better. If you’ve ever felt unheard, frustrated, or unsure where you fit in the profession, this conversation will resonate. #VeterinaryViewfinder #VetMedLeadership #VetTechVoice #OrganizedVetMed #VeterinaryMedicine #VetLife #VetTeam #VetMed2026

    31 min

  7. 12/31/2025

    From AI to Affordability: Vet Med Trends Shaping 2026

    Veterinary medicine is changing fast, and 2026 is already taking shape. In this episode of the Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor step back and take an honest look at the trends that are most likely to impact veterinary teams in the year ahead. They examine how artificial intelligence is moving from novelty to a background tool, quietly reshaping documentation, diagnostics, and client communication. Telemedicine continues to evolve, not just as video visits but as flexible, everyday touchpoints that can help practices improve access and continuity of care. The conversation also explores the return of wearables and continuous monitoring, particularly how improved data could impact pain detection, obesity management, and chronic disease management. As always, this episode does not shy away from the hard stuff. Workforce burnout, shifting practice models, climate-driven disease patterns, and growing affordability pressures are all front and center. Rather than offering quick fixes, Ernie and Beckie focus on what veterinary professionals can anticipate, question, and influence now. If you want a grounded, practical discussion about where veterinary medicine is headed and how to stay adaptable without losing your footing, this episode is for you.

    28 min

  8. 12/24/2025

    T’was the Night Before Christmas: Veterinary Edition

    This week, the Veterinary Viewfinder keeps a beloved tradition alive with a festive gift for the profession. Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, share a brand-new veterinary rendition of T’was the Night Before Christmas, written for every veterinarian, technician, assistant, CSR, kennel team member, and manager working through the holidays. The poem walks listeners through a Christmas Eve shift full of familiar chaos, unexpected cases, and the kind of humor that only happens in a clinic on a busy night. You’ll hear nods to the species you treat, the equipment that never seems to cooperate, and the teamwork that holds the whole place together. Most importantly, the episode offers a moment of gratitude for everyone who shows up for patients and families during a season that can be joyful and exhausting at the same time. If your clinic is open this week, or if you’ve ever spent a holiday in scrubs, this episode is meant to bring a smile, a sense of recognition, and a little warmth at the end of a long year. Merry Christmas from the Viewfinder family to yours. #VeterinaryViewfinder #VetMed #VetTechLife #VeterinaryPodcast #HolidayShift #ChristmasInVetMed #VetClinicLife #SantaPaws #TwasTheNightBeforeChristmas #VetTeamStrong

    5 min
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4.6
out of 5
94 Ratings

About

Weekly podcast dedicated to "tackling the toughest topics in veterinary medicine." Hosted by veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor. Candid, irreverent, provocative, educational, and occasionally funny conversations about issues that impact the veterinary profession. Non-stop since 2016.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Ernie Ward & Beckie Mossor, RVT
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    477
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Dr. Ernie Ward & Beckie Mossor, RVT
  • Show Website
    Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast

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