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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Cruella Chihuahuas, Media Stereotypes, Flat-Faced Breeds & What Should Veterinary Professionals Do?
Will the hit Disney Movie Cruella create in a surge in Dalmatians, Chihuahuas, or Chinese Crested dogs? Do media stereotypes about certain breeds or animals lead to painful cosmetic surgeries or stigmas? This week we tackle veterinary professionals and how to proactively respond to pet and animal media trends and movements. We go a LOT deeper than Disney this week, Viewfinders!
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT chat about the recent portrayal of dogs in the Disney movie Cruella. The pair speculate on whether or not veterinary clinics will see an increase in Dalmatians, chihuahuas, or even Chinese Crested dogs as a result of their movie portrayals. Are veterinary professionals doing enough to educate the public on some of the potential health risks associated with these breeds? What can we do better?
This episode’s conversation includes how media portrayals can lead to breed stereotypes and perhaps cosmetic procedures such as ear cropping and tail docking.
There’s plenty of discussion on how emotionally demanding working in a clinic that performs cosmetic surgeries, declaws, or ignores certain breed-associated health risks can be for concerned vet professionals.
Viewfinders, these are important questions our profession needs to ask. While answers are few and perhaps even controversial at times, we hope this podcast encourages more solutions.
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.