This week we're joined by our dear friend and colleague (and Dr. Ward’s extern back in the day!), Dr. Andy Roark, to discuss his suicide prevention program, 4 Eyes Save Lives. Dr. Roark joins hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT  to discuss why discussing suicide and depression in the veterinary profession is important, how Andy addresses some of the questions and controversies surrounding this program, and Ernie shares why being any healthcare provider is especially stressful.

This podcast discusses suicide, depression, and burnout, so if you'd prefer to skip this episode, we totally understand. If you or someone you know would like to talk to someone about burnout, depression, or suicide, call 1-800-273- 8255 (TALK) or text HOME to 741741 or visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. 

On July 1, 2019, California made history when it allocated $5 million dollars for veterinary care for homeless people. This week, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss what this budget means for veterinarians and veterinary technicians, why this is SO IMPORTANT, and ways to extend and amplify our message. This is an important conversation that touches on many aspects or our profession’s future, including student debt and societal awareness. 

Episode 137 (2 2/3 YEARS of weekly podcasts!) This week, podcast hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT tackle a topic often overlooked in veterinary practice: How to make our clients with special needs feel welcome. Beckie shares her recent Chicago VMA experiences after giving a presentation on this topic, Dr. Ward shares stories of some good (and not so good) client interactions, and both share a multitude of tips and tactics for veterinary professionals. This is a podcast we recommend sharing with your entire clinic team and then creating your own staff training materials and policies.

This week we're delighted to share with the Viewfinders a special friend, Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT, VTS (anesthesia and analgesia). Tasha shares her stories of being a college student seeking her passion,  pursuing a career as a veterinary technician, being a single mom, and helping other veterinary professionals with anesthesia and pain management. This is a delightful conversation with a truly special colleague. 

This week we meet Yalanda Medina, founder of Cleveland-Based Squad 51, a pet emergency transport service and pet emergency first responders. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT learn the story behind Squad 51, what types of veterinary emergency medical services they can (and can’t) perform, and their new relationship with pet insurance. This is a fascinating conversation that you and your team will be talking about! 

Recent news reports convenience euthanasias have rocked the pet world and caused intense scrutiny of the veterinary profession’s role in this practice. This week Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss the recent Richmond, Virginia euthanasia case, their own experiences with convenience euthanasia requests, and why talking openly about this topic is needed more now than ever. In addition, our hosts connect euthanasia with burnout, Dr. Ward explains why the veterinary profession is increasingly confused by the extreme types of pet owners, and Beckie shares the most heartbreaking moment she’s witnessed in veterinary practice. Plus, there are guns, how much should we charge for euthanasia and coccidia! This is one to share with your veterinary colleagues and friends! 

Are you a big fan of Harry Potter? Did you read (and re-read, and re-read) them until the covers fell off? Did you wait in line with your six-year old daughter to purchase the books when they went on sale at midnight? If so, you're going to love this podcast! Dr. Michael Miller is using the Harry Potter universe to provide insight into his veterinary life.  Co-hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT learn how and why (and it may involve an ill-fated deep sea fishing trip) Dr. Miller became a veterinarian, how he's adjusting to fatherhood, and how he uses Harry Potter to inject a little "magic" into his veterinary career. 

This week we’re honored to be joined by the 2019 SAVMA Teaching Excellence Award Winner Kristen Messenger, DVM, PhD, DACVAA, DACVCP. Dr. Messenger is currently a pharmacology professor at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In this high-energy conversation, Kristen shares her own journey to becoming a veterinarian, the biggest challenges her students are facing, and the ways she’s working to improve the next generation of veterinarians. From student debt to social media, this is a conversation for any Viewfinder who wants to become a veterinarian, are currently in veterinary school, or have already graduated. It’s that good!

International best-selling author, biohacker, flow guru, and animal rescuer are titles rarely strung together, yet they perfectly describe this week’s special guest, Steven Kotler. Steven joins veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician, Beckie Mossor, RVT to discuss his latest book, Last Tango in Cyberspace, how high-performing professionals can maximize their productivity, how animal rescue changed his life (thanks to his AMAZING wife Joy Nicholson), why his Pulitzer-nominated book “A Small Furry Prayer” should be read by EVERYONE in the pet and veterinary professions, and why empathy is perhaps our greatest veterinary superpower (and vulnerability). This is a wide-ranging, idea-catalyzing conversation that every team member will want to listen to in its entirety. Rarely do veterinary audiences get to have a sit-down with someone like Steven Kotler, so grab a cup of coffee or tea and strap yourself in! 

NOTE: There is some swearing in this episode so if you’re uncomfortable with a few choice swear words, you might want to skip this one. Otherwise, we think it added to the conversation! 

This week we explore the role of surveillance cameras in the veterinary workplace. Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT ponder the ways surveillance cameras can be used for good and how their usage may go terribly wrong if we’re not careful. The Viewfinders cover how cameras can be used for staff training, protecting against false accusations from clients, increasing patient care and client service, adding services, and protection from theft. What are your thoughts on Big Brother watching YOU?

How would you like to sail the Caribbean helping island animals? This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT are joined by an Australian veterinarian doing it! Dr. Sheridan Lathe is sailing her 37-foot boat, “Chuffed,” island-to-island helping dogs, cats, livestock, and exotic animals along the way. Her popular Youtube channel, Vet Tails’ Sailing Chuffed, chronicles her adventures. We talk with her about her childhood in Australia, practicing at wildlife sanctuaries, her travels in China working with Asiatic bears, and how she followed her dreams aboard a floating veterinary clinic in the Caribbean. Ernie asks her what impact U.S. veterinary student debt plays in pursuing dreams, and Beckie inquires about how to follow your dreams without the sailboat. This is an exciting and interesting glimpse into an alternative veterinary pathway! 

This week Walmart announced it was launching an online pet pharmacy, WalmartPetRx.com, and plans to open 100 in-store veterinary clinics over the next 12 months. This week Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT talk with Julie Legred, CVT about what this means for veterinarians and veterinary technicians, pet owners, and pet retailers. The trio offer insights on how independently-owned clinics can learn from Walmart, and why they see this as a win-win for the veterinary profession and U.S. pet owners. Dr. Ward speculates on the timing of this announcement from Walmart and how it may affect the impending Chewy.com IPO.