Finding good employees is a challenge for any clinic. Finding good veterinary technicians is even harder! This week Drs. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney, along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor are joined by “MKA from Minnesota,” or Michelle Krasicki-Aune, MBA, BS, CVT, a credentialed veterinary technician who has a company dedicated to providing clinics with relief veterinary technicians, mentorship, and much more. Michelle tells how (and why) she became a veterinary technician (canine heartworms are involved), how the profession has changed, and where she thinks the future of veterinary technicians lies. Along the way, the quartet chat about the Veterinary Nurse Initiative (VNI), her best advice for staying motivated in clinics, how managers and owners can learn from RVT/CVT/LVT’s, and some of the challenges she sees in daily practices. 

Nearly 2 billion people, including veterinary professionals, are using Facebook in 2018. This week Drs. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with Beckie Mossor, RVT talk with Dr. Caitlin DeWilde about social media and her business, The Social DVM. The group discuss Caitlin's story of becoming a veterinarian, the recent changes to the Facebook News Feed algorithm, and practical advice for managing a veterinary clinic's Facebook Page.  

This week, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT talk with large animal veterinary nurse an equine nursing specialist Heather Hopkinson about the differences - and similarities - of large and small animal veterinary care. Heather shares her story of a young girl working at stables to earn horse riding lessons to becoming a pioneer and leader in the large animal veterinary technician world. Beckie and Heather recount their days together in veterinary technician school, how the veterinary nurse initiative (VNI) may affect large animal veterinary professionals, and the shared struggles of all animal advocates. The trio explore how compassion fatigue and burnout are different in the large animal world, how language and words affect emotions, and Heather explains why all veterinary nurses are at risk for attrition and unhappiness if they don’t find meaning and purpose within - and outside - the veterinary profession. This is a great conversation that applies to anyone working in the veterinary industry. 

The veterinary profession is now dominated by women. This week we tackle the topic of veterinary professionals having children, bringing our kids into the clinic, and handling clients’ children during veterinary appointments. Co-hosts Drs. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor share tales of crates used as cribs, a mother who demands Dr. Ward share EVERYTHING with their child during an appointment, and then changes her mind, Beckie talks about vet techs being used as “babysitters” during exams, and Cyndie reviews her experiences as being a new mom intersects with practice life over the past few months. Dr. Ward discusses the importance of paid maternity leave for veterinary professionals, and the trio offer advice for anyone planning a pregnancy or wondering how to tell their boss.

This week we're joined by friend and colleague, Dr. Alex German from the University of Liverpool. Alex joins Drs. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney, along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor, to share his story of becoming a veterinarian, his experiences as a mixed animal practitioner, returning to academia to pursue his PhD and Internal Medicine Board Certification, and finding his passion in clinical research. Alex and Ernie discuss their combined efforts combating pet obesity, Cyndie prompts a discussion on weight bias, and Beckie relates the pressures veterinary nurses often encounter when dealing with pet obesity. The group discusses Alex's latest research publications, his work on dog and cat growth curves, and how these tools may help veterinarians prevent pet obesity. This is a wide-ranging conversation that touches on many issues veterinary professionals may struggle with during daily practice life. Do yourself a favor, and listen to this one all the way through!

This week we're thrilled to share the podcast with "Vets Against Insanity" card game co-creator, Dr. Sarah Wooten. Sarah sat down with Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT at the recent Fetch dvm360 Conference in sunny San Diego and was joined via the magic of the internet by Dr. Cyndie Courtney.   Ernie and Beckie gave Sarah the better microphone, and apologize for the reverb and echo-y sound in this podcast (they were in a cavernous hall, but still, Ernie left a certain mic cord at home...3,000 miles away...and had to improvise. Cie la vie.). Sarah shares her story of becoming a veterinarian, confronting burnout, leaving the profession, her latest professional reinvention and invention of the game "Vets Against Insanity." Sarah and Ernie swap triathlon tales, Cyndie discusses veterinary mother-guilt and pressures of raising children, and Beckie tackles compassion fatigue and burnout in this wide-ranging and insightful conversation. You don't want to miss this one!  

This week we're honored to have a true veterinary innovator, entrepreneur, and leader, Dr. Justine Lee. Dr. Lee joins co-host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor to discuss her story of becoming a veterinarian, writing books, creating VetGirl, and her latest projects, the VetGirl Wellness App and her upcoming veterinary continuing education conference. This is a great conversation about finding work-life balance, starting and raising a family, and how anyone can find their passion and meaning.

This week we discuss the emerging role veterinary technician specialists are playing in the veterinary profession. Host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with co-host, Beckie Mossor RVT, are joined by National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) President-elect  Kara Burns, LVT, VTS (Nutrition). Kara shares her story from beginning as an Emergency Psychologist, to finding her passion in veterinary medicine, to founding a veterinary specialty. Learn Kara's best advice to help veterinary technicians deal with stress, expand their roles, and find happiness in their work. You don't want to miss this episode! 

It's our ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! Thank you so much for downloading our podcast over 25,000 times! Host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor, look back on their past year of weekly podcasting, share the stories behind the episodes, recall some of their favorite and most controversial guests and topics, and look at some of the stories they'll be covering in 2018. 

Women are now the majority of practicing veterinarians in the U.S., yet our profession struggles to find women leaders. In this podcast, host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney,   and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor are joined by Dr. Karen Bradly, a pioneer in the movement to inspire and develop women leaders within the veterinary profession. Dr. Bradley shares her story of becoming a veterinarian, recounts her journey becoming an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) officer, and what she’s doing to encourage a new generation of female leaders. Along the way, the quartet lament the way some women are treated by their peers when they attain prominence, what veterinary technicians can learn from the gender and generational shift occurring among veterinarians, and how to inspire change within the profession. This wide-ranging conversation is sure to motivate you to pursue greatness! 

This week host Drs. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor are joined by practice owner and manager, Laura Ward to discuss sexual harassment in the veterinary workplace. What specifically is workplace sexual harassment? Does it exist in veterinary medicine? How can you prevent it from happening? What can you do if sexual harassment occurs in your veterinary clinic? Please share this important discussion with your veterinary healthcare colleagues. We must not accept workplace sexual harassment in any form.