Episodes
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What does it mean to be a veterinarian, a credentialed veterinary technician, an assistant, or a new role entering the clinical space?
In this episode, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, dig into veterinary medicine’s identity problem: how comparisons to human medicine, unclear titles, internal hierarchies, and emerging roles like Colorado’s veterinary professional associate (VPA) can shape how teams see themselves and each other.
They talk candidly about why “more than” or “less than” language can create competition rather than confidence, how that trickles down through the clinic, and why role clarity matters for morale, collaboration, and long-term career satisfaction.
This conversation is especially relevant for veterinarians, vet techs, assistants, practice managers, and anyone navigating scope-of-practice debates or changing team structures.
Ernie and Beckie make the case for being proud of your role without needing to compare it to someone else’s, and for building clinic cultures where every team member understands their value.
#VeterinaryMedicine#VetMed#VetTechLife#VeterinaryTeams#VetMedLeadership -
After-hours and urgent care have changed dramatically in veterinary medicine, but the system still has serious gaps. In this episode, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, look at what happens when pet owners need help after hours, and there’s nowhere realistic to send them.
The conversation starts with the old model of pagers, late-night calls, and general practices carrying emergency responsibility. Then it moves into today’s urgent care boom, the difference between true urgent care and walk-in sick visits, and the strain this puts on veterinary teams.
But this episode also widens the lens beyond dogs and cats. Horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, birds, and other companion animals are often left with even fewer options, especially when emergencies happen outside normal clinic hours.
Ernie and Beckie talk honestly about sustainability, affordability, team burnout, and why expanding care may be both a challenge and an opportunity for the profession.
#VeterinaryMedicine
#VetMed
#VeterinaryUrgentCare
#AfterHoursVetCare
#VeterinaryViewfinder -
Episodes manquant?
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This week on the Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, talk with Michelle Crew, a credentialed LVT and the entrepreneur behind The Mobile Vet Tech, about building a career outside the traditional clinic setting.
After losing what she thought was her “unicorn job” during COVID, Michelle began offering in-home services such as nail trims and anal gland expression, and found a new way to support pets, clients, and other veterinary professionals.
Michelle shares what she has learned about starting slowly, setting client boundaries, staying safe on house calls, protecting mental health, and redefining what it means to work “at the top of your license.”
The conversation also highlights her work helping other veterinary technicians through TikTok, The Unattached Facebook group, and Endless Journeys: The Vet Tech Odyssey Podcast.
For vet techs, assistants, practice managers, and veterinarians, this episode offers a practical, encouraging look at entrepreneurship, alternative career paths, and the many ways credentialed professionals can make an impact.
#VeterinaryMedicine
#VetTechLife
#CredentialedVetTech
#MobileVetTech
#VeterinaryViewfinder -
In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, use the current Hantavirus conversation as a jumping-off point for a bigger issue affecting every veterinary team: public trust in science.
This is not a panic episode, and it is not about predicting another COVID. Instead, it is a practical conversation about science skepticism, vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and what all of that may mean for veterinary medicine going forward.
Ernie and Beckie talk through how fear spreads, why social media noise often drowns out calm expert guidance, and why veterinary professionals may increasingly find themselves answering client questions tied to public health, animals, and trust. They also explore the role of vet teams as credible, steady voices in a confusing information landscape.
If you work in a vet clinic, this episode will help you think about client communication, One Health awareness, and how to respond when public uncertainty spills into everyday veterinary practice.
#VeterinaryMedicine #VetMed #VeterinaryViewfinder #ScienceCommunication #VaccineHesitancy -
Missed charges happen in every veterinary practice, but what happens next says a lot about clinic culture.
In this episode, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, take on the uncomfortable reality of billing mistakes: forgotten charges, wrong invoice items, inventory mix-ups, and the dreaded follow-up call to a client.
They discuss why missed charges often turn into blame, especially for technicians, CSRs, and support staff, and how clinics can handle these mistakes without creating fear or finger-pointing.
Beckie emphasizes the role of psychological safety, while Ernie shares how written policies, clear thresholds, and manager-led client communication helped his teams manage billing errors more fairly.
The episode offers practical takeaways for owners, managers, veterinarians, techs, and front-desk teams: make charges easier to enter correctly, define when the clinic absorbs small errors, decide who contacts the client, and stop treating normal human mistakes like personal failures.
#VeterinaryMedicine
#VetTechLife
#VeterinaryPracticeManagement
#VetMedLeadership
#VeterinaryViewfinder -
Veterinary medicine is full of passionate people, but sometimes that passion turns into camps, loyalty tests, and turf wars.
In this episode of the Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, discuss why veterinary professionals can feel pressured to support only one organization, cause, or point of view, and why that mindset may be holding the profession back.
From veterinarians and credentialed veterinary technicians to students, practice managers, and clinic leaders, this conversation explores how organized veterinary medicine can be stronger when more voices are welcomed at the table. Ernie and Beckie talk about scarcity thinking, professional identity, advocacy, and why new organizations do not have to be seen as threats to existing ones.
They also highlight the launch and kickoff weekend for AACVT, including ways veterinary technicians and team members can get involved, connect, and support the profession.
Learn more about the AACVT kickoff event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/860435577068522
Visit AACVT here: www.aacvt.org
#VeterinaryMedicine
#VetMed
#VetTechLife
#OrganizedVetMed
#AACVT -
This week on Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, focus on Veterinary Receptionist Week (April 19–25, 2026) and the people who hold the entire clinic together from the front desk.
They break down what veterinary receptionists actually do day to day, from triaging calls and managing the schedule to handling emotional clients and keeping patient flow on track. It’s a role that’s often underestimated, but as they point out, even the best clinical team struggles if the front desk isn’t supported.
The conversation goes beyond recognition and into what real appreciation looks like.
They share simple, practical ways to make it meaningful, like handwritten notes, personal recognition, and taking pressure off the phones during the workday. They also touch on training, professional development, and why the human side of this role won’t be replaced anytime soon, even as technology evolves.
If you work in a clinic, this episode is a reminder to slow down, notice the work happening up front, and use this week as a chance to reset how your team shows appreciation.
www.veterinaryreceptionistweek.com
#VeterinaryReceptionistWeek #VetMed #VetTeam #VeterinaryReceptionist #ClinicCulture -
In this episode, Dr. Ernie Ward talks with co-host Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, about the launch of the American Association of Credentialed Veterinary Technicians (AACVT.org), a new organization she co-founded with Ryan Frazier, LVT, BS, MBA. Their goal is not to replace or compete with existing veterinary groups, but to strengthen the profession by filling gaps that many credentialed technicians still experience.
Becky and Ryan built AACVT around a simple idea: the profession needs more support, more tools, and more ways for technicians to take action, especially at the state level. Rather than focusing only on awareness, AACVT is designed to provide practical resources, advocacy guidance, and a centralized space where technicians and veterinary teams can connect and grow.
The conversation highlights a shift in mindset. This is about adding capacity, not dividing it. By working alongside existing organizations and empowering individuals, AACVT aims to raise the overall standard for technician utilization, recognition, and professional development.
For veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and practice leaders, this episode offers a clear look at how collaboration, not competition, may drive the next phase of progress in veterinary medicine.
#VeterinaryMedicine
#VetTechLife
#VetMedCommunity
#CredentialedVetTech
#VetTeam -
What does “starting at 8 a.m.” actually mean in a veterinary clinic? This episode tackles a small detail that quietly creates big tension across teams.
Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, break down the difference between being “on time” and being truly ready to work. From employees easing into the day to clinics that aren’t operational at opening, they unpack how unclear expectations lead to frustration, resentment, and inconsistent culture.
They also flip the conversation. It’s not just about employees showing up earlier. It’s about management designing schedules that make success possible. If appointments start at 8:00 am but prep isn’t done, the system is already broken.
This episode offers practical ways to rethink start times, prep workflows, and team expectations without falling back on rigid rules or burnout culture. It also challenges the idea that “early and late” equals a good employee.
If your mornings feel chaotic, rushed, or quietly tense, this conversation will hit close to home and give you a better way forward.
#veterinarymedicine
#vettechlife
#vetmedlife
#veterinaryteam
#workplaceculture
#teamcommunication
#veterinarypodcast -
This week’s episode is one of the most difficult and important conversations we’ve had. Beckie Mossor shares the reality of a devastating house fire that took a friend, three pets, and everything she owned, and what those 24 seconds revealed.
For veterinary professionals, this isn’t just a personal story. It’s a wake-up call. From how quickly fires actually spread to the gaps in what we think we know about safety, Beckie walks through what mattered, what didn’t, and what she wishes every clinic and pet owner understood.
You’ll hear practical takeaways you can apply immediately, including why attic heat sensors matter, how pets respond to alarms, and why most fire plans fall apart in real life. There’s also an honest look at decision-making under pressure and the limits of what’s possible when seconds count.
This episode will change how you think about preparedness, both at home and in practice.
Donate here:GoFundMe #1: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-beckie-after-house-fireGoFundMe #2: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-beckie-timmy-rebuild-after-house-fire
#VeterinaryMedicine #VetLife #VetTechLife #FireSafety #VetPodcast -
This week, we share difficult news about one of our own. On March 15, Beckie Mossor suffered a devastating house fire that claimed her home, all of her belongings, three beloved pets, and a close friend. There are no words that fully capture the weight of that loss.
Beckie has long been a steady, compassionate voice in our profession. She has shown up for others time and again, offering support, leadership, and care when it was needed most. Now, she and her husband Timmy are facing the unimaginable task of rebuilding their lives from nothing.
If you are able, I ask you to consider supporting Beckie during this time. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps provide stability, essentials, and a path forward.
Donate here:GoFundMe #1: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-beckie-after-house-fireGoFundMe #2: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-beckie-timmy-rebuild-after-house-fire
Please keep Beckie and Timmy in your thoughts. -
Summer is coming, and with it comes one of the most tension-filled conversations in veterinary practice: what happens when a team member runs out of PTO but still wants time off? In this episode, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, dig into a social media post that sparked a lot of opinions, and even more questions!
They explore both sides of this hot topic honestly: the employee who feels their personal time shouldn't require employer permission, and the owner or manager trying to keep a team functioning through the busiest months of the year. Along the way, they tackle the hourly vs. salary double standard, the "badge of honor" culture around never taking time off, and why unpaid time off has become a management landmine.
Whether you're a vet tech figuring out how to have this conversation with your boss, a practice manager who hasn't updated your PTO policy in years, or an owner trying to balance fairness with operations, this episode gives you a practical perspective and a heads-up to get ahead of it before the summer rush hits.
#VeterinaryMedicine
#VetTech
#PracticeManagement
#VeterinaryTeam
#VeterinaryViewfinder -
Getting injured at work is part of life in a veterinary clinic, but what happens next matters more than most practices want to admit. In this episode, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, dig into a troubling pattern showing up across vet med social media: team members who speak up after a bite, scratch, or potential zoonotic exposure and end up facing dismissal, passive-aggressive pushback, or outright retaliation from management.
Our hosts unpack the "badge of honor" culture in vet med that normalizes ignoring injuries, the real and underappreciated risks of rabies and other zoonotic diseases, and why unvaccinated staff should never be handling unknown-rabies-vaccinated-status animals. And Dr. Ward shares why he sees early intervention as smart business, not coddling.
Whether you're a vet tech who's been dismissed after an injury, a practice manager setting the tone, or an owner assessing your own culture, this episode is a gut-check worth taking seriously.
#VeterinaryMedicine
#VetTech
#WorkplaceSafety
#ZoonoticDisease
#VeterinaryViewfinder -
Neurodiversity is part of veterinary medicine, whether we talk about it or not.
In this episode, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, sit down with Ron Sosa, veterinary team coach and founder of Syn-APT Leadership Coaching, to explore what neurodiversity really looks like in our profession. From Ron’s late diagnoses of ADHD and autism to high masking, imposter syndrome, and burnout, this conversation goes deeper than labels.
Ron shares why veterinary medicine may have a higher prevalence of neurodivergent professionals than the general population and what that means for clinic culture, leadership, and team dynamics. The discussion moves beyond accommodations and into accessibility, including practical ways to reduce cognitive load in the hospital environment.
If you lead a team, manage a practice, or simply want to better understand yourself and your coworkers, this episode offers thoughtful, actionable insight. It’s not about diagnosing anyone. It’s about building workplaces where people can thrive without having to mask who they are.
Syn-APT website: https://www.syn-apt.me/
Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/8YrUYOL -
Bad online reviews aren’t new in veterinary medicine. What’s changing is how quickly we respond, and how quickly we sometimes end the relationship by “firing” the client who posted something critical.
In the 482nd episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, explore the real question behind legitimate negative reviews: when does a complaint justify firing a client, and when is it an opportunity to improve?
They unpack the difference between unsafe behavior and simple dissatisfaction, the emotional toll of public criticism, and how burnout may be shrinking our tolerance. The conversation also digs into power dynamics in medical professions, the shift from negotiation to zero tolerance, and what we lose when we default to dismissal instead of dialogue.
This episode offers practical reflection points for veterinarians, technicians, and practice leaders who want clear boundaries without sacrificing professionalism or growth.
If your clinic has wrestled with online complaints, or if your team feels emotionally drained by them, this is a thoughtful, grounded conversation worth having.
#VeterinaryMedicine
#VetLife
#VetMedLeadership
#PracticeManagement
#VeterinaryTeams -
Continuing education is required for veterinary professionals’ licensure, but finding time for CE often feels impossible. In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, speak with Dr. Andrea Freeman about a bold decision: closing her small animal practice and taking her entire team to VMX for continuing education.
Instead of sending one or two team members at a time, Dr. Freeman invited everyone. Doctors, technicians, CSRs, and part-time staff all attended. The result was more than CE credits. It strengthened communication, boosted morale, improved retention, and energized the entire practice.
Even more surprising? Dr. Freeman says her clients were supportive. With clear communication and advanced planning, she states her clinic did not lose business or trust.
If you have ever wondered whether shutting down for CE is realistic, this episode offers a practical, real-world example of how it can work and why it might be worth it.
#VeterinaryCE
#VMXConference
#VetMedLeadership
#VeterinaryPracticeManagement
#VetTeamCulture -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 - Montre plus
