🎙️🐾 Welcome back to the Veterinary Viewfinder! For nearly eight years, we've fearlessly tackled the toughest topics in veterinary medicine every single week. This week, we're diving back into the wild world of social media, where controversy is always just a click away. But here's the twist – we're exploring the fine line between being a “social me…

Veterinary dermatologist Dr. Brittany Lancellotti earned the EveryCat Health Foundation 2024 Steve Dale Communications Award for the Your Vet Wants You to Know podcast. Discussed are all sorts of allergies which dogs and cats suffer – including environmental allergies to food allergies, and what to about them. And even some odd allergies, such as c…

In this Oh Behave show episode, host Arden Moore talks with Ellie Laks, energy healer and founder of The Gentle Barn about a new welcoming therapy -- friendly cow hugs. Yes, bovine bliss can make you feel better. Ellie is the founder of this animal sanctuary located in three states and is the author of a must-get new book called, "Cow Hug Therapy: …

This week's discussion delves into a tough yet all-too-common veterinary practice scenario. How do you respond as a licensed veterinary professional when asked to train someone to perform tasks they lack the necessary licenses or credentials for? As healthcare professionals, we often silently grapple with such dilemmas in our clinical settings. Joi…

Robyn Michaels, a member of the Greater Chicago Whippet Club and a dog groomer in Rogers Park who speaks the truth – or at least her truth – regarding hobby dog breeders and the American Kennel Club (AKC). Why in the heck does the AKC seem more intent on protecting the breeders of “doodle dogs” or “designer dogs” compared to pure bred dogs? Why are…

Choosing the perfect summer read can be challenging for busy veterinary professionals. As vacation season approaches, we’re excited to share some top book recommendations tailored for the Viewfinders. Whether you’re lounging by the pool or taking a well-deserved break, our recommendations have something for everyone.Join hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Be…

Linda Michaels, Author of The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook, featuring the Hierarchy of Dog Needs, explains what those needs are. She discusses how dog training methods DO matter, and what dog trainers to run the other way from. Discussed is that people want to socialize puppies, but what some well-meaning individuals aren’t doing r…

A tough topic you'll encounter at some point in your veterinary career is some sort of recall. These recalls and worries can be about medications, pet foods, and pet accessories, encompassing a wide gamut of products and services we recommend to the pet-owning public, and suddenly, somebody says there's a problem. This week, we want to discuss what…

After a stellar academic career that included teaching equine science at Otterbine University, Lucy Cryan successfully transitioned into the world of professional pet sitting. Now at the helm of Cryan Enterprises in Ohio, she has earned recognition as Business of the Year by the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. Tune in to hear her …

Former Chicago White Sox organist Nancy Faust is beloved for so many reasons, and it turns out – no surprise – she’s a huge animal lover. She talks about the first Dog Day promotions (at that time taking dogs to Comiskey Park) and her love of goats, and what goats are like. You’ll also hear Bill Veeck and Harry Caray behind-the-scenes stories. Rais…

What happens if you find out that one of your colleagues is on OnlyFans? This week, we want to talk about the exciting world of online entrepreneurship and what you should do or how you should handle all the little questions we have if you find out that one of your teammates is on the Internet in a very intimate way. The Veterinary Viewfinder is th…

Dr. Robin Downing is a polymath (that means she knows A LOT) of veterinary medicine, a well-respected, albeit outspoken, expert on many topics. Discussed are a wide range of subjects from bioethics in veterinary medicine to the Fear Free initiative and principles to consent dog training (ascent is actually a better term) to declaw in cats a multi-m…

For the past 7.5 years, the Veterinary Viewfinder has strived to tackle the toughest topics in veterinary medicine each week. This week, we're revisiting one of our favorite tough topics: money. Lately, social media seems abuzz with folks complaining about the high cost of veterinary care. This week, we want to dive a little deeper into some of the…

In this lively, inspirational episode, Oh Behave show host Arden Moore chats with Doug Keeling, owner of Bad to the Bone Pet Care in Jacksonville, FL. His company's topnotch pet care and services earned them the 2023 Pet Sitters International's Pet Sitter of the Year award. Doug shares how a decade ago he was finishing college and working many part…

Dr. Renee Schmid is Senior Toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline, a 24/7 pet animal poison control center. A wide range of concerns including rodenticides to insecticides; and what you can do if your pet ingests some. The truth about garlic in cats and dogs. Also discussed is Xylitol or Birch Sugar which can quickly kill, and this sugar substitute is…

A tough job that we often talk about on the Veterinary Viewfinder is the role of a veterinary receptionist, a customer service representative, or whatever you choose to call those invaluable folks up front who are, quite frankly, taking a lot of the hits from our clients. This week, we’re excited to welcome back to the podcast Debbie Boone, CVPM, o…

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Chris Pachel talks about canine separation anxiety – what it IS and what it IS NOT. What can people do to deal with dogs who have separation anxiety? Are dogs really guilty after having an accident indoors or tearing up a pillow because of separation anxiety. Why are psycho-pharmaceuticals may be required or a product cal…

A tough topic that every veterinary professional will confront at some time in their career is a disagreement with a pet parent over how they are doing something regarding care. This difference can be about diet, anti-vaxxing, or a whole host of other things that can potentially put their pet at risk. It can also be different philosophically, ideol…

Play with Your Cat! – That is both the name of the book and the message from Dr. Mikel Delgado. She discusses how to play with your cat, what are the best toys to play with your cat, when are the best times to play with your cat and most important why play is ESSENTIAL to your cat’s mental and physical health. And what is the potential consequence …

Patrick McDonnell has been capturing the day-to-day adventures of a dog named Earl and a cat named Mooch since 1994 in comic strips appearing in newspapers, books and calendars. In a special interview with Oh Behave show host Arden Moore, Patrick reveals the happy ending for another character -- an unnamed dog who has been chained in a back yard re…

A lack of appropriate feedback leads to failure. You need to give your team at least three types of feedback to succeed. This week, we discuss the three types of feedback you should give - and receive - to excel in veterinary medicine.Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, tackle the topic of feedback in the veterinary workplace. Dr. War…

Join Oh Behave show host Arden Moore as she welcomes two world-renowned cat experts: holistic veterinarian Dr. Jean Hofve and cat behavior expert/best-selling author Pam Johnson-Bennett. Together, they give you the real scoop on grass for cats, when to be concerned about your cat's hairballs, how to throw a catnip party and ways to enrich your indo…

Bradley Phifer, Director of Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers , explains what this organization is and what to look for if you happen to be sniffing out a dog trainer. And dog training is not a licensed profession, and some trainers use methods that can do more harm than good. That’s why demonstrating competence in the field is so…

Veterinary technician programs have expanded in remarkable ways over the past decade, and there's a push towards getting a four-year degree, with even more advanced degrees on the horizon. This week, we're speaking with the interim Director of Appalachian State University's Veterinary Technology B.S. Program, Jennifer Serling CVT RVT VTES BVSc, to …

Founder and President of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, Dr. Ernie Ward, says the issue is far more complex than people merely offering too much table food. So, what exactly has been going on? And why with every passing year are there more and more obese dogs/cats? And it’s not only about weight, but also about body condition score. Cle…

Working in a veterinary clinic can pose many hazards. This week, we want to discuss some of the common workplace risks of veterinary practice and why we want you to stop doing them because they are putting you at risk. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, tackle five major areas of personal risk in veterinary clinics: radiology, animal…

In this episode of the Oh Behave show, host Arden Moore talks with Dr. Ernie Ward, America's Pet Advocate, on three interesting scenarios. How will dogs look, adapt in 10,000 years if we have global warming, or a new ice age -- or if they would join us in inhabiting Mars? Dr. Ward is teaming up with Basepaws, a pet genetics company, to study how do…

From IT’S ME OR THE DOG on Animal Planet, a very wide-ranging conversation with superstar dog trainer Victoria Stilwell. She announces that the virtual Victoria Stilwell Academy 11th Annual Dog Behavior Conference is April 19-21 and discloses who some of the speakers are and what some of the topics are. The hope is that San Francisco – working to b…

Have we forgotten how to behave in the clinic these days? This week, we want to discuss generational differences and how we can help improve each other's manners and etiquette when dealing with clients and co-workers. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, tackle the tough topic of dealing with four generations of different communication…

Miami-Dade Fire Captain Shawn Campana calls Charlie, her service-trained greyhound, an "angel wrapped in fur." Discover why as you tune into this special Oh Behave show episode. Charlie isa service dog trained to help firefighters dealing with PTSD, mental challenges and more. Capt. Shawn shares how Charlie and other specially-trained service dogs …

Dr. Sheilah Robertson, who received the Animal Welfare for the American Veterinary Medical Association, is as expert anesthesia and analgesia. She points out that people (and pets too) can truly die directly due to pain and offers the history of what we know about this. And answers at what point do you not put a pet under anesthesia. And why it’s a…

What happens when one veterinary clinic's personnel is rude or short with another? We're talking about when you call for records, they are not happy about it - and let you know how they feel! This week, we are talking about the benefits and risks of informing another clinic of the behavior of their staff. And what about giving clients medical recor…

Kara Burns is a Credentialed Veterinary Technician with a specialty in nutrition, dentistry, and internal medicine. To acknowledge the difference she’s made in veterinary medicine, she was just honored with the Icon Award from the Bridge Club. Burns is on the Board of Directors of the EveryCat Health Foundation, and talks about an upcoming symposiu…

This week, we’re honored to have a conversation with the first veterinary technician elected as President of the Viticus Group (WVC) Board of Directors, Heather Prendergast, RVT!Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, are joined by a friend and prior guest, Heather Prendergast, RVT, CVPM, SPHR. Heather shares her story of starting as a wo…

Is your break area always a mess? Whose responsibility is it to clean it? And what about coffee? Do you pay? Or does your boss? This week, we discuss a multitude of messes that can occur in the common areas of a veterinary clinic. We also debate who should be on the hook for that special brand of coffee and tea that you like and more bread rook dil…