Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast

New York just became the first state in the U.S. to totally ban feline declawing. This week we’re delighted to be joined again by feline expert Dr. Margie Scherk to discuss what the new law means for veterinary professionals, how these measures have been received in her home country Canada, and why she believes veterinarians need to take a more active role in the declaw debate. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT take a deep dive with Dr. Scherk into the complex ethical and moral challenges of elective surgical procedures, the impact declawing has on the entire staff, and how public perception toward declawing has shifted over the past 20 years. This is an important topic for your entire veterinary team. Don’t forget to share your experiences on one of social media channels, and please leave us a review on iTunes! Thank you Viewfinders!

This week we're joined by our dear friend and colleague (and Dr. Ward’s student extern back in the day!), Dr. Andy Roark, to discuss his suicide prevention program, 4 Eyes Save Lives. Dr. Roark joins hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT to discuss why discussing suicide and depression in the veterinary profession is important, how Andy addresses some of the questions and controversies surrounding this program, and Ernie shares why being any healthcare provider is especially stressful. This podcast discusses suicide, depression, and burnout, so if you'd prefer to skip this episode, we totally understand. If you or someone you know would like to talk to someone about burnout, depression, or suicide, call 1-800-273- 8255 (TALK) or text HOME to 741741. To find out more about this program, visit DrAndyRoark.com

On July 1, 2019, California made history when it allocated $5 million dollars for veterinary care for homeless people. This week, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss what this budget means for veterinarians and veterinary technicians, why this is SO IMPORTANT, and ways to extend and amplify our message. This is an important conversation that touches on many aspects of our profession’s future, including student debt and societal awareness. If you like veterinary and pet discussions such as this, please let the AI computer overlords know by leaving us a brief 4 or 5-star review on Apple iTunes! THANK YOU VIEWFINDERS!! YOU RAWK!!!

Episode 137 (2 2/3 YEARS of weekly podcasts!) This week, podcast hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT tackle a topic often overlooked in veterinary practice: How to make our clients with special needs feel welcome. Beckie shares her recent Chicago VMA experiences after giving a presentation on this topic, Dr. Ward shares stories of some good (and not so good) client interactions, and both share a multitude of tips and tactics for veterinary professionals. This is a podcast we recommend sharing with your entire clinic team and then creating your own staff training materials and policies. And, huge congratulations to our old Viewfinder co-host, Dr. Cyndie Courtney, on the recent birth of her son! CONGRATULATIONS, CYNDIE!!!! If you enjoy these podcasts, PLEASE leave us a review on iTunes! Your support fuels us to keep going! Thank you, VIEWFINDERS!

This week we're delighted to share with the Viewfinders a special friend, Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT, VTS (anesthesia and analgesia). Tasha shares her stories of being a college student seeking her passion, pursuing a career as a veterinary technician, being a single mom, and helping other veterinary professionals with anesthesia and pain management. This is a delightful conversation with a truly special colleague. Viewfinders, if you like conversations like this, please leave us a quick review on iTunes! Thanks!

This week we meet Yalanda Medina, founder of Cleveland-Based Squad 51, a pet emergency transport service and pet emergency first responders. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT learn the story behind Squad 51, what types of veterinary emergency medical services they can (and can’t) perform, and their new relationship with pet insurance. This is a fascinating conversation that you and your team will be talking about! SquadFiftyOne.com Viewfinders, do us a huge favor and leave us a review on iTunes! Many thanks for being loyal listeners!

Recent news reports convenience euthanasias have rocked the pet world and caused intense scrutiny of the veterinary profession’s role in this practice. This week Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss the recent Richmond, Virginia euthanasia case, their own experiences with convenience euthanasia requests, and why talking openly about this topic is needed more now than ever. In addition, our hosts connect euthanasia with burnout, Dr. Ward explains why the veterinary profession is increasingly confused by the extreme types of pet owners, and Beckie shares the most heartbreaking moment she’s witnessed in veterinary practice. Plus, there are guns, how much should we charge for euthanasia and coccidia! This is one to share with your veterinary colleagues and friends! Viewfinder Family, do you like the podcast? Please leave us a brief review on iTunes! Thanks for listening!

Are you a big fan of Harry Potter? Did you read (and re-read, and re-read) them until the covers fell off? Did you wait in line with your six-your old daughter to purchase the books when they went on sale at midnight? (It could happen...jus sayin!) If so, you're going to love this podcast! Dr. Michale Miller is using the Harry Potter universe to provide insight into his veterinary life. Co-hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT learn how and why (and it may involve an ill-fated deep sea fishing trip) Dr. Miller became a veterinarian, how he's adjusting to fatherhood, and how he uses Harry Potter to inject a little "magic" into his veterinary career. VIEWFINDER FAMILY, if you like this podcast, do us a huge favor and give us a 10-second review on iTunes! That's all it takes and it means so much to us!

This week we’re honored to be joined by the 2019 SAVMA Teaching Excellence Award Winner Kristen Messenger, DVM, PhD, DACVAA, DACVCP. Dr. Messenger is currently a pharmacology professor at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In this high-energy conversation, Kristen shares her own journey to becoming a veterinarian, the biggest challenges her students are facing, and the ways she’s working to improve the next generation of veterinarians. From student debt to social media, this is a conversation for any Viewfinder who wants to become a veterinarian, are currently in veterinary school, or have already graduated. It’s that good! Dr. Messenger also co-hosts a podcast for her students, and you can hear a few samples here: Season 1, Episode 9:  Special guest, former veterinary student, Dr. George Shaaf visits the podcast and talks about student perspectives and anesthetic risk; we talk about special laryngeal mask airway devices (V-gels). https://cvm.online.ncsu.edu/online/FileServer/Presentation/bb3fbd604e4e4ce0a0b28c1135ec95f91d/25e0dfd8-7366-491c-b489-e0a87076b1c8.mp3?FeedId=5acf0874e965468d9989398545ea07fb17

International best-selling author, biohacker, flow guru, and animal rescuer are titles rarely strung together, yet they perfectly describe this week’s special guest, Steven Kotler. Steven joins veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician, Beckie Mossor, RVT to discuss his latest book, Last Tango in Cyberspace, how high-performing professionals can maximize their productivity, how animal rescue changed his life (thanks to his AMAZING wife Joy Nicholson), why his Pulitzer-nominated book “A Small Furry Prayer” should be read by EVERYONE in the pet and veterinary professions, and why empathy is perhaps our greatest veterinary superpower (and vulnerability). This is a wide-ranging, idea-catalyzing conversation that every team member will want to listen to in its entirety. Rarely do veterinary audiences get to have a sit-down with someone like Steven Kotler, so grab a cup of coffee or tea and strap yourself in! NOTE: There is some swearing in this episode so if you’re uncomfortable with a few choice swear words, you might want to skip this one. Otherwise, we think it added to the conversation! Don’t forget to subscribe and give us an iTunes rating. The way we can get guests such as Steven Kotler is by showing them how loyal the VIEWFINDER FAMILY really is! (And maybe someone owed someone a small, furry favor… jus sayin’).

This week we explore the role of surveillance cameras in the veterinary workplace. Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT ponder the ways surveillance cameras can be used for good and how their usage may go terribly wrong if we’re not careful. The Viewfinders cover how cameras can be used for staff training, protecting against false accusations from clients, increasing patient care and client service, adding services, and protection from theft. What are your thoughts on Big Brother watching YOU? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes! Thank you for listening!

How would you like to sail the Caribbean helping island animals? This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT are joined by an Australian veterinarian doing it! Dr. Sheridan Lathe is sailing her 37-foot boat, “Chuffed,” island-to-island helping dogs, cats, livestock, and exotic animals along the way. Her popular Youtube channel, Vet Tails’ Sailing Chuffed, chronicles her adventures. We talk with her about her childhood in Australia, practicing at wildlife sanctuaries, her travels in China working with Asiatic bears, and how she followed her dreams aboard a floating veterinary clinic in the Caribbean. Ernie asks her what impact U.S. veterinary student debt plays in pursuing dreams, and Beckie inquires about how to follow your dreams without the sailboat. This is an exciting and interesting glimpse into an alternative veterinary pathway! Dr. Lathe’s links: Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcDSkw35FYqsFgMqoZjt7zQ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vet.tails_sailing.chuffed/ Website: https://www.vettails.com/

This week Walmart announced it was launching an online pet pharmacy, WalmartPetRx.com, and plans to open 100 in-store veterinary clinics over the next 12 months. This week Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT talk with Julie Legred, CVT about what this means for veterinarians and veterinary technicians, pet owners, and pet retailers. The trio offer insights on how independently-owned clinics can learn from Walmart, and why they see this as a win-win for the veterinary profession and U.S. pet owners. Dr. Ward speculates on the timing of this announcement from Walmart and how it may affect the impending Chewy.com IPO. To contact Julie or Beckie about this project and other career opportunities, email them at talent@veterinaryadvancements.com Don’t forget to subscribe and give us a review on iTunes!

This is one of those episodes we wish EVERYONE could hear! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT are joined by their dear friend, Dr. Amy Mohl, as they discuss her story within the framework of following your passions, overcoming challenges, and finding happiness. This is an episode we hope you enjoy, find inspiration in, and share with your friends, regardless of whether or not they’re in the veterinary profession. This one goes in the time capsule for sure! Let us know what you think! If you like this episode or want to let your VetViewfinder Flag fly, give us a 5-star review over on iTunes!! C’mon, Viewfinders, we NEED YOU!!

This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor discuss the breaking news that California RVTs have abolished the previously-required California RVT exam in favor of the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam). The team discusses what this means, why this (or potentially isn’t) a sign of professional progress, and what the implications for veterinarians and the veterinary profession may be. They also discuss license reciprocity, examination standards, and Dr. Ward shares a story he was recently told by a dentist who encountered a specific, and almost disastrous, hiring situation that reveals a shortcoming in the current licensing system. Thanks again for listening and please leave us a review on iTunes and share with your friends! We love talking to you every Wednesday!