Viewfinders, Beckie and Ernie wanted to let everyone know they’re safe and thank you for your messages of concern and support.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT live where Hurricane Isaias made a direct hit on August 3, 2020.

Dr. Ward shares his experiences and why he believes they’ll call this the “Fire Hurricane” in the history books. He recounts the flooding, fires, and hurricane force winds that this “sleeper storm” ravaged on the Carolina coast.

Dr. Ward shares why he believes this was the worst storm he’s experienced in his 28 years living on a tiny barrier island.

We’ll be back next week tackling another tough topic in veterinary medicine!

Thank you, Viewfinders for your love and support!

This week we’re proud to bring you a special conversation with NC State College of Veterinary Medicine’s Director of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, Dr. Allen Cannedy.

Dr. Allen Cannedy is a dedicated mentor and recruiter of students from groups that are underrepresented in veterinary medicine. For example, he regularly invites pre-college aged students to shadow him as he makes patient calls during his personal large animal practice.

The commitment to mentoring and recruiting has been a hallmark of Cannedy’s career. His work with NCSU CVM has resulted in many students from a variety of cultural backgrounds and from both in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities attending his veterinary school, whether they are first-year veterinary students, interns, or residents getting a final year of clinical experience before entering into their careers.

Dr. Cannedy joins hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mosser, RVT for a real-world candid conversation about the challenges minorities face in veterinary medicine, how both veterinary schools and the industry can help, and his story of overcoming personal challenges to become a veterinarian.

This is an inspiring discussion and is helpful to understand how all of us can help increase diversity and promote inclusion within our own veterinary practices.

Plus, Dr. Cannedy settles a challenge between Beckie and Ernie. Ernie says it’s a draw; Beckie says she wins. Listen to the end of this podcast to find out what this is all about!

Viewfinders, we’re committed to making our profession more open-minded and accepting all all people, regardless of color, religion, sexuality, or even personal statements (listen to the end!). We desire a world where people aren’t judged by how they look, but by what they do. Together, we can seize this moment and make our community a more loving, peaceful, and open.

As Dr. Ward says in the podcast, diversity and inclusion ultimately relies on each of us “to make small, brave acts.” Listen to this podcast and share how you can help improve diversity and inclusion in your clinic.

Thank you Viewfinders for your loyal listening! If there’s a “tough topic” you’d like us to “tackle,” drop us a line or message us on social media. Stay safe! See you next Wednesday!

We’re used to talking about veterinary professionals being attacked online and experiencing cyberbullying by angry clients, organizations, and the general public. But what happens when veterinary professionals cyberbully each other?

This week we’re joined by a veterinarian who has been cyberbullied by her professional colleagues and a therapist who specializes in helping veterinary professionals deal with these sorts of issues.

Dr. Crystal Heath shares her story of cyberbullying by an online group of veterinary professionals and how this has affected her both personally and professionally. We also learn how she’s turning this personal tragedy into a resource for other veterinary students and animal health professionals.

Julie Squires, BA, CCFS, is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Specialist and Certified Life Coach who specializes in helping veterinarians and veterinary professionals. She provides insight into why some people resort to online attacks, how to cope, and strategies for resiliency.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT would like to encourage anyone who is confronting peer attacks, whether online or in clinic, to share their story and get help. This is tough topic that affects many of our colleagues and needs to be stopped.

This week we take a moment to remember the loss of Summer Taylor with special guest Jade Velasquez, LVT, president of Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians, chair of NAVTA's PR committee, and sits on NAVTA's Membership committee.

Next, we tackle the tough topic of pet insurance fraud with a longtime Viewfinder, Eliza Mariner, RVT. Eliza reached out to us by email after confronting a potentially uncomfortable situation that bordered on unethical and illegal.

Co-hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss pet insurance fraud along with other equally morally-challenging scenarios that many veterinary professionals confront each day.

This episode is an extension of previous podcasts on the impact of how seemingly insignificant daily interactions can lead to burnout, job dissatisfaction, and poor patient care.

Viewfinders, we’d like to thank Eliza for reaching out with a topic she thought the Veterinary Viewfinder should tackle! If you have a tough topic you’d like us to cover, drop us a line! Thanks for listening each Wednesday for the past 3.5 years and making us the top-ranked veterinary topics podcast!

As people around the country (and the world) have been forced into working from home and reduced social interactions, some people have filled their days with drinking excess alcohol or lighting up a joint or two.

Many veterinary practices are reporting higher than usual numbers of inebriated, intoxicated, and otherwise wasted pet parents visiting their clinics.

This week our hosts, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, hammer out some of their real-life loaded tales from veterinary practice, how they helped their staff avoid getting bombed by these unexpected events, and why creating a plan can help your team walk a straight line.

This is a serious topic that deserves more attention within our profession. Our hosts discuss why these sorts of situations lead to burn-out and stress, and what our professional organization should be doing to help.

Viewfinders, let us know if you’re seeing an uptick in drunk or stoned pet parents trying to cope with the stress of the global pandemic. How is your practice handling these situations?

As Dr. Ward says, “Stay safe…and stay sober!” Cheers, Viewfinders!

Millions of pets have been fostered, adopted, or somehow wiggled their way into innumerable homes and hearts around the country (and the world). How can veterinary professionals help this new generation of pet parents make the right pet care decisions when they’re still “Pre-Pet Parents?”

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT go over some simple and effective ways any veterinary practice can begin helping current or prospective clients make the best decisions on the right species, breed, size, and age for their next pet family member.

The duo discuss a variety of online tools, blog and social media posts, and team efforts to make sure the veterinary voice is heard out in the “very big World Wide Web.”

The pair also discuss what happens to pets if an owner passes away (young or old, expected or not) and learn what Dr. Ward believes veterinary professional organizations and corporate veterinary practices should be doing to help pet parents with pet estate planning and how these steps and tools could potentially encourage more pet parents.

This is a wide-ranging conversation with plenty of real-world practical tips.

Viewfinders, we hope you enjoy this “Coronavirus-free” episode and are staying safe!

The gut microbiome has been intensely studied for the past 20 years, yet we’re only now beginning to understand it’s impact on overall health.

This week we have one of the top researchers in the animal microbiome, Dr. Holly Ganz from Animal Biome in Berkeley, California.

Dr. Ganz shares her story of her 20 years researching the gut microbiome, her development of “poo pills” to treat a variety of intestinal and digestive disorders, and her own story of overcoming breast cancer.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT “take a seat” to discuss some of the “poopular” myths about the microbiome, their love of “poo cocktails” and “poo slurries,” and why they wish more veterinary professionals would “spin down the poo.” Enough already with the poo puns.

Viewfinders, what do you think about “poo pills,” probiotics, and dietary fiber? Are you researching the influence the gut bacteria have on overall health and behavior? Definitely share this with your favorite “veterinary poofessional.” Sorry.

Stay safe out there, Viewfinders! See you next week!

Resilience: “the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.” But what does it mean for veterinary professionals?

This week we’re joined again with Dr. Sarah Wooten to discuss the topic of bouncing back from failure and confronting stress in practice. Developing and nurturing our resilience seems even more essential these days.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT get real with the stress most veterinary professionals face each day. The trio offer examples and solutions that will benefit any team or individual.

This is an uplifting, authentic, and practical conversation about how we can all achieve more calmness and clarity in our lives.

Please share this podcast with a colleague, co-worker, or friend who needs a little shot of positivity this week!

Thanks for listening, Viewfinders, and stay safe!!

This week we’re handing over our mic for an important message from Ahsante the Artist on “How to be a Good Ally - Identity, Privilege, Resistance.” Although this presentation was originally published on YouTube in August 2017, we think its message is particularly meaningful today.

You can watch her powerful video here: https://youtu.be/q7ElX4GFQpI and visit her website here: https://www.ahsantetheartist.com/

We also encourage you to visit the Black DVM Network at https://www.blackdvmnetwork.com/ and follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/blackdvmnetwork/ They’re doing amazing - and essential - work to help bring more diversity into the veterinary profession.

Could an experimental Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) drug be the secret to treating human COVID-19?

This week we’re thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with the California-based Anivive Lifesciences team to discuss their recent FDA submittal to use their experimental FIP drug on human coronavirus patients.

Anivive’s Founder & CEO, Mr. Dylan Balsz joins us along with Dr. David Bruyette, Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Chad Dodd, Chief Commercial Officer to share their exciting story.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT learn about how a companion animal drug company’s deep research and experience with coronaviruses is helping develop an advanced treatment for for humans suffering from COVID-19.

This conversation emphasizes the importance of the One Health concept, how veterinarians are uniquely poised to tackle pandemics, and the exciting prospects for using software to accelerate biotechnologies and usher in medical breakthroughs for both humans and animals.

And Dr. Dave Bruyette. Anytime you have the chance to learn from Dr. Bruyette, don't pass it up!

As people begin to return to work and resume the “new normal” of daily life, many veterinary professionals worry if we are communicating adequately with millions of new “pandemic pet parents.”

This week, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT tackle the topics of how to ensure pet parents don’t miss essential veterinary care and services, socialization and training tips, and how to stay connected with your team during these stressful times.

The pair share stories from veterinary clinics around the country (good and not so good), offer advice on conducting online puppy socialization classes, tips for hosting Pandemic Pet Parent live webinars and “pawty’s,” and why you should offer dog training programs during this time.

The hosts also discuss the importance of paying close attention to the emotions of your team during the recovery period. Dr. Ward shares a recent story of the disconnect between a veterinary practice owner’s cheerful assessment of team morale and the harsh reality presented by the Practice Manager. Beckie provides guidance on creating a workplace where staff members can feel safe discussing their true feelings and concerns.

This is a wide-ranging an inspirational conversation packed with practical advice for any general veterinary practice.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused veterinary professionals to rethink nearly every aspect of veterinary practice. This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss some of the client communication lessons we’ve learned, and how we can apply them permanently.

Dr. Ward shares a real-life example from a friend’s recent curbside appointment, and what the client had to say about the experience. Our hosts then analyze the visit an doffer insights on how it could be better.

Beckie reviews why it’s incredibly important to remain focused and positive for team morale, and Dr. Ward emphasizes your clinic’s team dynamics on productivity.

Dr. Ward reviews the most important client education messages you need to communicate now, and how to share a virtual veterinary appointment experience.

This episode is full of tips and advice for optimizing curbside service and client communication during tumultuous times of change.

Please share this episode with a veterinary colleague you think would benefit from it! Stay safe, Viewfinders!