The Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast
Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, have co-hosted their award-winning weekly veterinary podcast since 2016. Each week, they “tackle the toughest topics in veterinary medicine,” highlighting controversial issues and trending news, introducing veterinary key opinion leaders and provocateurs, and offering solutions to the myriad challenges facing the veterinary profession.
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More Money, More Problems - Let's Talk about the 2022 NAVTA Demographics Survey
The 2022 NAVTA Demographics survey was released during VMX 2023. This week we discuss the findings, actions we can take, and questions for the future.
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and President-Elect of NAVTA, Beckie Mossor, RVT, take a deep dive into the findings of this critical survey. The last demographics survey was conducted in 2016, and, wow, some things have changed - and others remained, sadly, the same.
The survey results revealed the following highlights:
• The average Veterinary Technician is earning 25% more than in 2016.
• More than 70% of Veterinary Technicians have an Associates’ degree, up 16% from 2016.
• More than 1/3 of Veterinary Technicians have student loan debt, averaging $29,700/person.
• One-third of Veterinary Technicians have a second job, most often at full-time.
Viewfinders, this is an important discussion for the veterinary profession. We encourage you to share it with your colleagues, discuss your thoughts, and get involved!
Fireworks. Travel. Noise. Every July 4th, veterinary teams face a predictable surge of panicked pets, frazzled clients, and last-minute sedation requests. So why are so many clinics still reacting instead of preparing?
This week on The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, unpack how veterinary clinics can turn this annual headache into an opportunity to deliver better care and boost revenue. From leveraging your PIMS to send targeted alerts about noise aversion and vaccine needs, to rethinking social media as part of a layered communication strategy, they outline the tools and tactics that practices already have but rarely use.
They also explore underutilized solutions, such as preemptive outreach to anxious pet owners, virtual care referrals, technician-led VCPR visits, and offering in-clinic support during peak noise periods. As Dr. Ward puts it, you’ll pay for it on the front end or the back. But you’ll pay if you don’t prepare and prevent.
Whether it’s the 4th of July, New Year’s Eve, or beach-season boarding, this episode is a playbook for staying ahead of preventable emergencies, protecting your staff’s sanity, and proving your clinic’s value before the fireworks start.