During the past 18 months, nearly every veterinary practice has experienced unprecedented demands and challenges. Throw in the reality of an historically-tight job market, with few available veterinarians and vet techs to go around, and you’ve got even more problems. These difficulties have caused considerable professional (and personal) burnout, with many colleagues not knowing how they could possibly take a break. That’s where relief (or locus) veterinary staff could help heal your practice ills.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT are joined by Dr. Cindy Trice, Founder of Relief Rover, an online service that connect veterinary clinics with relief help.

Dr. Trice shares how she started in relief work, what led to the formation of ReliefRover.com, and how impactful leveraging relief staff can be for an overworked team.

Viewfinders, you know we’re compactly lamenting the fact that you’re overworked, underpaid, and under appreciated. Here’s a solution we think could help you (at least) get a break to recharge your spirit (and body, relationships, etc.).

What have your experiences with relief vets or vet techs been? Is this something you think would help your clinic? Share your thoughts (and a 5-star review) over on Apple Podcasts or our social media! Thank you!

Veterinary practices around the country are reporting high numbers of veterinary staff failing (or bailing) on interviews or even work. Is “ghosting” or saying nothing becoming the new way to say, “No”? This week we discuss.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss the concerning trend of veterinary job applicants “ghosting” veterinary practices during the hiring process. Is this really a thing? If so, why? And what can we do to improve communications during interview and hiring?

The duo tackle the reasons why “ghosting” may be on the rise, the role social media may be having on the acceptance or failing to follow-through, and the impacts this behavior may have in the short- and long-terms. As Beckie shares, “Do you want guilt in the short-term or resentment in the long-term?” We explore.

Viewfinders, is “ghosting” jobs becoming accepted? What affects may “no shows” have on existing staff? What happens to the future job prospects for folks who “ghost” veterinary clinics? So much to talk about this episode!

Viewfinders, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Share with us on social media or email veterinaryviewfinder@gmail.com And thanks for not ghosting us for the past (nearly) 5 years!

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.

Has your veterinary clinic been ping-ponging between curbside, hybrid, masked service, and now something else? This week we discuss the real challenge of “change fatigue” in veterinary clinics and some creative ways to help.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT spend some quality time together on Memorial Day starting with talking about the nationwide shortage of the euthanasia drug, pentobarbital. Dr. Ward examines whether or not veterinary clinics should reevaluate inventory management of critical-use supplies and if “just in time inventory” should be reserved for less essential drugs. They also offer advice on how you can stay updated on drug shortages and supply issues.

Beckie tackles COVID vaccination in veterinary clinics and Dr. Ward reveals a recent Facebook discussion in which a veterinarian was challenged over a controversial COVID-19 vaccination opinion. Dr. Ward shares what every vet clinic should do today to prepare their teams for this increasingly frequent, and potentially client-losing, question.

Beckie also explores some of the challenges veterinary professionals are facing as they “re-open.” She explains why “It must be nice…” should never be said in a veterinary practice.

The pair explore the importance of offering time off for self-care and morale boosting, especially during overwhelming workloads. Dr. Ward retells a recent colleagues question about closing down for a few days and how they made it work.

Viewfinders, thanks again for listening! We hope you had a restful and restorative Memorial Day and took time to thank those service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy the freedoms we cherish.

Change and progress are inevitable, especially in veterinary medicine. But what happens when your clinic boss, manager, or supervisor fails to keep up with medical advances and clings to outdated protocols and procedures? This week we discuss how you can help make positive procedural changes in your veterinary practice.

Host Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT tackle the topic of confronting and changing the attitudes and policies of a clinic’s leadership.

Dr. Ward shares his top tactics for presenting new medical information to reluctant staff members, why we need to bring more “solutions, not complaints” to management, and his favorite way to solicit feedback to improve an idea using a “On a scale of 1 to 10…” method.

Beckie discusses why we need to surround ourselves with smart people - and then listen to them! She also challenges vet techs to negotiate with leaders and her experiences in getting managers to accept updated procedures and treatments.

Finally, Dr. Ward reminds practice leaders that the first thing to maintain progress is to let go of hubris and ego and he explains why leaders that can say, “I didn’t know that!” excel above those who always have all the answers.

Viewfinders, this is a jam-packed conversation! How do you approach your boss or manager when it’s time to change? What have your experiences been?

Don’t forget to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a “Hello!” and 5-start rating. You’ll make our week! Thank you!

Happy Holidays, Viewfinders! This week we’re sharing your holiday shoutouts to your colleagues, friends, and family. While 2020 has certainly challenged the veterinary profession in unprecedented ways, in this episode we take a few minutes to celebrate the power of our resilience and recognize listeners who were nominated by their peers.

Viewfinders, we hope you enjoy this holiday season safely. Take time to care for yourself and remember the positive things that you’re grateful for this year.

Thanks again to everyone who commented and messaged us on social media. If you have a special someone you’d like to shoutout and give praise to, drop us a note or comment!

We’ll see you next week for a special year-end episode you don’t want to miss!

Veterinarians Ernie Ward & Cyndie Courtney with veterinary technician Beckie Mossor confront whether pursuing a degree in veterinary healthcare is a good or bad idea; how staggering student debt impacts our profession both financially & emotionally; potential solutions for excessive debt, escalating college tuition, and imbalanced veterinary supply & demand. The hosts share why they joined the veterinary profession and offer some of their best personal advice.  

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward & Beckie Mossor, RVT are joined by practice owner & hospital administrator, Laura Ward to discuss giving back to your community. We review how to plan and pull off an Open House, creating an awesome Pet Health Fair, and why the Wards believe giving back to your community is good for team building and practice building. If you're looking for ideas to jumpstart your clinic's civic participation, this episode is chock full of ideas and inspiration. 

The title "veterinary technician" is moving out! This week Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor are joined by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) Executive Director, Julie Legred, CVT, while Dr. Cyndie continues to enjoy (?) maternity leave. Julie discusses the recent official announcement of the name change from "veterinary technician" to "veterinary nurse,"   how the credentialing and transition will occur, and a new support staff training program from NAVTA. The trio have a wide-ranging conversation on finding happiness and meaning in the profession, what's the best advice for new colleagues, and how Julie finds balance with a husband, four sons, managing a HUGE swine business in Minnesota, and changing the world. 

This week's podcast touches on an important and highly emotional topic: Pet Loss. Listen in as Dr. Ernie Ward shares his recent loss of his beloved dog, Sandy, how his family is dealing with the aftermath. The team talks about grief in both veterinary professionals and clients, why grieving for pets is so intense, what "grief disenfranchisement" is all about, and how we can better understand and help our colleagues and clients as they confront the death of a pet. Share your own stories and experiences in the comments below or send us a private message.