What do you do when you’re asked to do something unethical, immoral, illegal, or just plain weird in veterinary practice? What if it’s your boss, manager, or co-worker who asks you to do — or don’t do — something that makes you uncomfortable? Hosts Drs. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor tackle the tough topic of responding to these challenging scenarios in this week’s podcast.

Medical mistakes are estimated to result in over 250,000 human deaths in the U.S. each year. What about in veterinary medicine? What types of medical mistakes do we commonly encounter in our animal patients?  What are steps we can do prevent medical mistakes and how should a veterinary clinic team respond when mistakes are made? Host veterinarians Drs. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor discuss real-world problems, their experiences, and offer suggestions and advice on avoiding medical mistakes in your clinic. Dr. Ward also shares a unique program from Australia to help you reduce medical errors.

This week our hosts discuss how should veterinary professionals work with other pet care providers? Drs. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor contemplate the roles and responsibilities veterinarians and veterinary technicians have when referring to pet care individuals such as trainers, groomers, pet sitters, and boarding facilities. What should the veterinary profession do about unlicensed, non-credentialed, uneducated individuals offering advice on animal care? How can we determine which non-veterinary providers are safe for our patients and clients? How can we foster collaboration between veterinary professionals and everyone else? As Dr. Ward states, “This is an incredibly important topic that touches us all.”

This week host veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward and veterinary technician Beckie Mossor are talking disaster preparedness for veterinary teams with ASPCA official Gina Manke. Learn how Gina got started with the ASPCA, what the top deployments are for ASPCA teams and volunteers, and how you can help in this week's podcast.

This is a special edition of the Veterinary Viewfinder. If you haven’t listened to episode 035, 2017 AVMA Conference podcast, please check it out to provide context for these unedited attendee interviews. Co-host Dr. Cyndie Courtney interviews several attendees of the 2017 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Courtney explores what attendees like or dislike about the AVMA an organized veterinary medicine, what their personal involvement is, and how to encourage veterinarians to become engaged in their profession. These three group discussions with experienced and new veterinarians and veterinary medical school students provide interesting insights into the topics on the minds of our colleagues. Join the conversation and share your thoughts on Facebook/VeterinaryViewfinder and Twitter @VetViewfinder.  

This week we talk about cancer in pets with veterinary oncologist Dr. Sue Ettinger. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward & Beckie Mossor, RVT are rejoined with Dr. Cyndie Courtney after her maternity leave. This episode focuses on how the veterinary team should approach cancer, the best ways to share a cancer diagnosis with pet owners, why Dr. Ward believes being non-judgmental is key to successful outcomes and emotional well-being of our staff, the role of veterinary technicians in helping cancer patients, and many more important topics concerning cancer.

Find out why Dr. Ward says, "You do not cure cancer by watching it grow." 

Does your front staff fight your back? Do your technicians battle your receptionists? Does everyone combat the boss or manager? According to host veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward, workplace warfare affects nearly every veterinary practice around the world. Team disharmony negatively impacts patient care and productivity.  This week Dr. Ward and co-host veterinary technician/nurse are joined by practice consultant and Certified Veterinary Practice Manager, Debbie Boone to discuss how you can overcome workplace tension and stress. A wide-ranging conversation covering common causes of conflict, how your attitude contributes or lessens tension, and simple steps anyone can take to better enjoy their work.

This week host veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward and veterinary technician Beckie Mossor have a deep conversation on euthanasia, veterinary hospice, compassion fatigue and more with Dr. Dani McVety. Dr. McVety is co-founder of Lap of Love, an in-home veterinary euthanasia and hospice care service. We discuss why Dr. McVety chose to pursue a career in veterinary euthanasia and hospice, best practices for in-home euthanasia, and how any veterinary team member can help provide a more comfortable euthanasia experience for pet owners. This is a wide-ranging conversation concerning what Dr. Ward calls, "Our most important procedure." Join the conversation on Facebook and @VetViewfinder  

RABIES! Over 60,000 people die each year from this deadly zoonotic disease. On veterinarian, Dr. Luke Gamble from the U.K., is on a mission to eradicate rabies and save human and animal lives. This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and veterinary technician Beckie Mossor talk with Dr. Gamble about his group, Mission Rabies, and how veterinarians and veterinary nurses can help. Veterinary technician Jessie Foley discusses her recent participation in a Mission Rabies campaign in Malawi.

Stress, Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue. These 3 topics top the list of veterinary workplace trauma and drama. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and veterinary technician Beckie Mossor talk with Rebecca Rose, CVT about the causes of stress, identifying problems in coworkers, and strategies to help reduce workplace tension. If you’re feeling stressed, work in a team with tension, or simply want to be happier and healthier, this podcast is for you! Join the conversation on Facebook/Veterinary Viewfinder & Twitter @VetViewfinder.   

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. 

What Pet Owners are Talking About with Pet Radio Host Steve Dale

Steve Dale from WGN Radio and Steve Dale Pet World (SteveDalePetWorld.com) joins hosts Dr. Ernie Ward, Dr. Cyndie Courtney, and Beckie Mossor, RVT to discuss what pet owners are asking him on his popular radio show, social media and blog. We tackle pet behavior, food questions (including what people are saying about raw and BARF diets), vaccinations, and cost of veterinary care.