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…

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…

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…

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 …

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…

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…

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…

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…

Happy Valentine’s Day, Viewfinders! This holiday, we want to share what we love most about the veterinary profession!In this special Valentine’s Day 2024 podcast, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, reveal the most beloved aspects of working as veterinary professionals. Hey, we can buy ourselves flowers! And we can hold our own hand, …

Workplace violence. Natural disasters. Fires and floods. These stories dominate the news. This week, we discuss whether or not most veterinary clinics are really prepared in the event of an active shooter, power failure, or other emergencies. Viewfinders, this is a critical conversation.Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, discuss thei…

This week, we're proud to introduce you to an extraordinary veterinary technician, Sam Geiling, CVT. Sam has just been named the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) Technician of the Year! Viewfinders, her journey is exceptional and sure to inspire!Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, talk to Sam Geiling, …

Are you overwhelmed by Slack, Teams, Groups, and Text work messages? Do you feel guilty when responding to a workplace thread late? Ever judge a teammate for not responding to a message? If so, welcome to the new world of 24/7/365 work messages!In this week’s podcast, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, tackle the tough topic of some …

Training requires struggle and even failure at times. But how do we apply this principle when training veterinary medical personnel? In this podcast, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, delve into the importance of letting veterinary clinic employees struggle in order to improve. Our duo explores the concept of fostering growth throug…

What happens when you promote a staff member to a new position or role and it doesn’t work out? What if the staff members want to return to their previous positions? How do we successfully expand our team members’ roles, responsibilities, and duties and “promote from within?” Viewfinders, we’ve got a lot to discuss in this episode!Hosts Dr. Ernie W…

Happy New Year, Viewfinders! On January 1, 2024, the first fully VCPR-compliant remote diagnosis and written prescription in the state of California was performed. But is it too little too late? Will veterinary telemedicine be leapfrogged by AI-assisted telemedicine and beyond? This is one episode you'll want to share with your colleagues!Hosts Dr.…

Happy New Year, Viewfinders! This week, we have a special expert guest to offer advice and strategies for setting - and achieving - our New Year’s Resolutions!Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, are joined by special guest Rebecca Newman, PsyM, CVT, RVT, the Wellbeing Coordinator, for the Veterinary Technology Program at Appalachian S…

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas! This week, we continue our annual Veterinary Viewfinder tradition of bringing you a special veterinary rendition of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, read Beckie’s poem that describes an all-too-familiar scenario for those of us who work in veterinary clinics!We hope you …

It's the season of expectations! In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of managing expectations within veterinary clinics. We address common scenarios, such as dealing with a new graduate who might be spending an extended amount of time in the exam room while questioning if our expectations are realistic and exploring ways to improve eff…

Currently, 17 US states have reported a mysterious respiratory illness in dogs. As hype escalates on social media, fueled by TikTok and TMZ, how should veterinary professionals educate their pet parents and keep their pet patients safe during this holiday season?Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, tackle the tough topic of how to addr…

This week, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, celebrate seven years of never missing a weekly podcast - from the hospital! Viewfinders, tune in to learn why Beckie has been hospitalized for the past three weeks!Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, update us on the past three weeks of Beckie’s life after the accident and reflect on …

It’s Thanksgiving in the United States this week, and that means the holiday season has begun. Besides family, food, and fun, the holidays can also bring stress, anxiety, and dread. This week, we’re joined by Liz Hughston, MEd, RVT, LVT, CVT, VTS (SAIM, ECC) to discuss tips and tactics to help you survive the holidays with a smile.Host Dr. Ernie Wa…

This week, we’re delighted to host Jeff Backus and Dave Cowan of the VetTech Cafe podcast to talk about podcasting, their journeys to vet tech specialization, and the challenges and future of the veterinary profession, Viewfinders, this is one podcast mashup you don’t want to miss!Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, share the mic with…

It’s estimated that there are 6 million new cancer cases diagnosed each year in the United States. Cancer is by far the single most common cause of death in adult dogs. Similar to human cancer risks, dogs have a 1 in 3 lifetime risk of getting cancer. This week, we talk with a veterinary oncologist and co-founder of PetDx, a revolutionary company b…

Recently, Amazon announced it was considering offering veterinary telemedicine services to augment its position as a top pet supplies and pharmacy provider. This move would allow them to compete in veterinary telemedicine against competitors like Walmart, Chewy, etc. This week, we discuss the pros and cons and potential impacts this could have on i…