Welcome to 2021! So far, it seems even weirder and more chaotic than 2020!

This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT report on recent curbside innovations from veterinary professionals around the country and how our profession is handling the stress that is January 2021.

Beckie shares the importance of “Communicating above the nose!” And how creative makeup, glamorous glasses, and “fun masks” can make your team more approachable by pet parent and pets.

Client complaints continue to affect our colleagues and negatively impact morale in veterinary clinics. Dr. Ward and Beckie share a few stories of how veterinary professionals are handling emergencies and providing exceptional care despite what a “vocal minority” of disgruntled pet parents may post online.

Dr. Ward expresses his concern that current events will erode trust in social media, and why it’s more important than ever to regain control of our client communication channel. Dr. Ward encourages veterinary clinics to reduce their reliance on Facebook and Instagram to attract and engage with clients. This is a story that we believe will gain more importance during the upcoming months.

COVID vaccination rollouts to veterinary professionals are being reported and our hosts reflect on the importance of veterinary professionals being immunized.

Virtual conferences will be the more for at least the first half of 2021. Dr. Ward and Beckie predict what will happen in the latter half of 2021 and which CE changes may be permanent. Beckie also teases the Viewfinders with news about her 2021 Vet Team Global Stream conference (vtgsconference.com).

Veterinary pharmaceutical, food and distributor representatives are still largely unable to meet with clinics in-person and it continues to affect how veterinary clinics receive information on new products and offers. Despite these persistent challenges, many veterinary sales reps are getting creative and keeping their clinics apprised of development - and stocked with pens (Beckie said that).

Viewfinders, we’re confident 2021 is going to be a great year for the veterinary profession! Do you share our optimism? Tell us why or why not! How is your team handling the stress of the chaotic news cycle? What’s your favorite mask? We want to hear from you!

Burnout affects every veterinary professional, regardless of where they work, what they do, or how old or educated they are. This week we’re thrilled to share the mic with Dr. Ivan Zak as he shares insights from his recent veterinary burnout research.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT are joined by Dr. Ivan “Zak” Zakharenkov, a veterinarian who recently conducted his MBA dissertation on “Veterinary Burnout.” Dr. Zak reviews the difference between burnout, compassion fatigue, depression and other psychological challenges faced by all veterinary professionals.

The trio tackle the differences between staff burnout in independent versus corporate veterinary clinics, which age groups are more likely to experience burnout, and why veterinary technicians may face additional risks. How to recognize burnout both in yourself and your colleagues is also a highlight of the conversation.

Several solutions are discussed in addition to how better “lean management” principles can help your team avoid burnout and achieve harmony.

Viewfinders, this is an important conversation to have as we enter a new year - and new decade. How are you handling burnout in your clinic? Have you experienced burnout or have your colleagues? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on our social media channels.

Happy New Year! 2021 is here… now what?

This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT share their lessons from 2020 and how they each set - and accomplish - goals for the new year.

The duo reflect on the wins and losses for the veterinary profession in 2020 and what they’re looking forward to in 2021. Dr. Ward expresses his hope for a better post-pandemic world and Beckie offers practical advice for anyone who wants to level up their lives in 2021.

We think you’ll find simple ways to set goals and find inspiration in the lessons learned from 2020.

Stay safe, Viewfinders, and we’ll talk to you in 2021!

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!

Many veterinary professionals feel they have at least a little Dr. Dolittle in them. You know, the ability to connect, communicate, even "talk to the animals."

This week we're joined by a veterinarian and animal communicator, Dr. Barbara Shor, to discuss what an animal communicator does, her journey to becoming an animal communicator, and the practical - and perhaps even clinical - applications of her work.

Along the way, Beckie shares her own personal experiences, Dr. Ward asks about the feelings and "communications' of farmed animals (you knew he'd go there), and Dr. Ward tries to relate to Dr. Shor by revealing some of deep meditation experiences (it involves how he believes he can feel his blood flow in vessels).

Viewfinders, this is a conversation that could ONLY happen on the Veterinary Viewfinder!

This week we’re doing a special simultaneous broadcast of our podcast on both the Veterinary Viewfinder channel as well as on the Veterinary Innovation Podcast! Cool!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT share the mics with Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak from The Veterinary Innovation Podcast out of chilly but cheerful Canada!

The two teams recount their starts in podcasting, their history in the veterinary profession, and offer advice for anyone inserted in how to create and discover GREAT ideas!

This is another wide-ranging thought experiment that has something for everyone in veterinary medicine. Whether you’re a seasoned veterinarian, new graduate, veterinary technicians practice manager, CSR or assistant, we believe you’ll learn and be inspired by this high-energy discussion.

If you order inventory, manage a veterinary practice or team, or have to deal with the mountain of “stuff” required to keep a busy clinic cooking, you DO NOT want to miss this week’s episode (and stick around until the end for a special offer for Viewfinders)!

This is one of those episodes that Beckie says, “will 100% affect your day-to-day work.” Inventory management creates A LOT of headaches for veterinary staff. Running out of supplies, missing rebates and deals, backorders, and countless hours spent each week placing orders can take its toll. There’s got to be a better way…

There is! This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT are joined by Alex Kates, Founder and CEO of Vetcove, an innovative veterinary supplies price comparison and online ordering tool - and much, much more! As Dr. Ward says, “THIS is why computers were invented!”

Alex shares how he and his brother started Vetcove after growing up helping in their dad’s equine veterinary clinic. They saw how tough it was for their dad’s practice manager to order and maintain inventory, and set out to use their computing and business expertise to make her life easier. And so, Vetcove was born in 2015!

If you’d like to learn more and try Vetcove for your clinic’s ordering needs, visit www.vetcove.com and use the code VIEWFINDER to receive a $50 cash back offer! “Purchasing for your vet hospital?
Shop every supplier at once.

Cut ordering time in half and save on supplies with the vendors you already use. Completely free to veterinary clinics & nonprofits.”

This week we’re celebrating FOUR YEARS and 208 EPISODES of the Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast!

Thank you for your loyal listening, sharing with colleagues, and being the best bunch of friends we could hope for!

We take a brief stroll down memory lane this week and share the many reasons why we still love talking with you (and each other!) each week for the past four years.

We then discuss the tremendous amount of feedback we received from last week’s podcast, “The Rise of Veterinary Influencers: Controversies and Opportunities.” You definitely want to hear this!

We also share our tips for surviving the “pandemic holidays,” why Beckie calls it the “Pan-damnit!” and how to remain positive despite the many challenges this year poses. Dr. Ward once again reminds us, “Tilt toward optimism” by using his simple gratitude practice.

Beckie gives us an update on the Veterinary Industry Giving Tree and Dr. Ward reveals how their 25th Annual Calabash Community Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade will go on this year…with quite a creative twist!

Viewfinders, we hope you enjoy this wide-ranging celebration episode. We really appreciate everyone who reached out and gave us feedback on last week’s episode. We definitely hit a professional pain point that needs more attention!

We hope you have a wonderful - and safe - Thanksgiving holiday! Can’t wait to talk to you next week!

Are you a veterinary influencer? Do you aspire to be called “an influencer?” If so, you may want to talk to Beckie first!

This week co-hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT tackle the rise of veterinary influencers. The duo discuss the controversies and opportunities of being a social media influencer, and their concerns over certain types of “veterinary influence.” Viewfinders, buckle up. This episode might get bumpy!

Beckie shares her concerns that some popular veterinarian influencers may be “driving a wedge” between veterinary professionals and pet parents. Dr. Ward muses that some veterinarians may be posting unprofessional or inappropriate content in an attempt to get more “likes.” Both hosts lament the promotion of uncredentialed, unlicensed, self-proclaimed pet experts to large veterinary CE keynote speakers. Told you it might be bumpy.

Viewfinders, this is an especially tough topic that deserves our profession’s attention. What do you think about the rise of veterinary and pet influencers? What are your suggestions for making sure we’re educating the pet loving public in a professional and responsible manner?

Happy COVID-19 Holiday Season Viewfinders! Or, as Beckie says, Happy Holidays COVID-19! (You have to listen to the podcast to understand…)

With the holidays just around the corner, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT take time to discuss how the pandemic may affect veterinary clinics during the traditional holiday season. Each shares how their businesses are planning to celebrate the holidays, and offer a wide variety of advice for any clinic or veterinary professional.

The duo tackle office parties, Dr. Ward reviews how he’s advising veterinary practices to host virtual client parties to mitigate some of the stress and ”impersonality” the past several months of curbside service has created, and Beckie provides guidance on staff gifting.

Viewfinders, this is a podcast you need to hear NOW as you begin preparations for the upcoming holiday season. Dr. Ward even reveals how he and Laura’s 25th year hosting their community Christmas tree lighting and parade has creatively adapted to the current quarantine and social distancing.

How are you celebrating the holidays with your team and clients? What about gifts? Have your practice finances been negatively affected by the coronavirus disruptions? We want to hear from you!

With most of 2020's veterinary continuing education conferences moving to an online format, what lasting effects will this have in 2021 and beyond? Will some veterinary conferences fall victim to the coronavirus pandemic? What will future veterinary CE look like?

This week, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT reflect on their experiences creating, supporting, and working with several veterinary conferences during 2020. What worked and what didn't? More importantly. What have we learned that can help improve veterinary CE in the future?

How will state veterinary medical boards and licensing agencies adapt to online CE? Will states begin allowing more virtual learning credits after the pandemic passes, or will they retreat to traditional CE requirements? Our hosts have strong opinions on this!

The pair also discuss the recent trend toward free and low-cost online CE. Dr. Ward ponders what impact this will have on the value of education and whether or not practices will continue to pay for staff CE if they can get it for free?

Beckie suggests online CE may have significant advantages over traditional in-person CE and is better suited to address many different learning styles of veterinary professionals.

Our hosts also speculate on how a shift toward online and hybrid CE will affect corporate sponsors and the ability of companies to share their advances with veterinary professionals.

Viewfinders, this is an important topic that few are talking about. CE affects all licensed veterinary professionals, and how we remain licensed and accredited is something we need to pay attention to. What do you think? How do you see veterinary CE evolving over the next few years?

This week we’re honored to share the microphone with the 2020 American Humane Veterinary Nurse Hero winner, Julie Nettifee, RVT, BS VTS (Neurology). Visit http://herovetawards.org/ to learn more or nominate a veterinary hero in your life!

Julie has been on the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine veterinary technician nursing staff for over 20 years. Julie shares her journey from childhood to present day specialization, how her passion for neurology has given her professional resilience and career longevity, and offers inspirational messages for how to stay in love with our vocation. Viewfinders, grab your hankies.

Beckie also tells us about a special COVID-19 holiday program she’s kicking off to help our colleagues severely affected by economic challenges this year. Check out the Veterinary Industry Giving Tree here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/682336046035250/

Viewfinders, if you haven’t already, VOTE! That’s all. Just VOTE! See you next week!