Many veterinary professionals are asked by young students whether or not they should become veterinarians or veterinary technicians. This week, we ponder that question within the context of two professions in flux. Viewfinders, the answer is "Definitely maybe?" and involves a multitude of challenges and opportunities we discuss this week.

This podcast covers everything from student debt, pay inequality, lack of vet tech representation in national and state veterinary organizations, outdated practice acts, corporatization, generational differences, and a whole lot more.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT share their current answer to this timeless question along with some of the (good and bad) advice they received form mentors.

Viewfinders, this is another conversation that packs A LOT of topics confronting our profession today into a half hour. Are there issues we touch on you’d like to hear us magnify and explore further? Let us know!

Thanks again as always for listening for the last four years!

What happens when your personal social media blows up in your veterinary clinic? Can you post controversial content on your personal pages without professional consequences? Viewfinders, this is one tough topic we tackle this week!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT address people being fired, reprimanded, or causing conflict in their workplace because of something they posted or shared on their personal TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter feeds. Where are the online boundaries between work and private life, if there are any?

The duo divulge times they’ve stepped out of bounds online, stories from colleagues who have experienced consequences of their content, and strategies for everyone scrolling and posting these days.

Viewfinders, have you witnessed workplace tension because of online messages? How do you navigate these potentially stormy waters? Share your stories!

Thank you again for listening! Talk to you next Wednesday!

Veterinary professional continuing education (CE) is changing. Conference closures accelerated the shift to online CE, and now we’re seeing widespread changes in how veterinary CE conferences are innovating and adapting. There’s a lot going on we need to talk about when it comes to maintaining your license through required CE.

This week, we’re joined by 3 of the 4 founders of one of the first, if not the original, completely virtual online veterinary conferences, Vet Team Global Stream (VTGS). Superstar licensed veterinary technicians Beckie Mossor, Monique Feyrecilde, and Julie Legred share the podcast (so sorry Jade Velasquez couldn’t make it this time!) to tell us why the trend toward online CE is important and permanent!

The “Quad Squad” discuss the origins of VTGS, their commitment to providing world-class CE at an affordable price, and why virtual communities and networks are essential to veterinary professionals.

Viewfinders, what do you think about online CE? Do you think state VMAs should allow veterinary professionals to receive our CE online or is this just a “pandemic patch?”

If you’d like to learn more about Vet Team Global Stream, visit them at https://www.vtgsconference.com/ of follow them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VirtualVetConference/)or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vtgsconference/).

Viewfinders, we’ll talk to you next week! Thanks for listening!

Antibiotic resistance is an issue that affects every veterinary and human healthcare provider. There’s no way to sugarcoat it: Antibiotic resistance is a very real existential threat for humanity.

The problem is many small animal veterinarians don’t see themselves as responsible or contributing to antibiotic resistance. This week we’ve got a veterinary expert who research proves small animal vets and vet techs are part of the problem — and solution.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT are joined by a veterinarian who has been conducting research on veterinarian and veterinary technician’s attitudes toward prescribing antibiotics. Dr. Dan Taylor recently successfully earned his PhD at Colorado State University and discusses some of his findings.

Dr. Taylor also shares how he found his passion for this topic after years of general practice and even a stint as food inspector, and why this topic is even more important after the Covid pandemic.

Dr. Taylor gives practical advice for the common scenario of a pet parent demanding “But you’ve got to give my pet SOMETHING!” The trio also review communication and treatment options to dispensing antibiotics, and why vet techs are essential in calming nervous pet parents (and young vets!) worries about not giving an antibiotic.

Viewfinders, this is another tough topic that small animal veterinary professionals need to talk more openly about. How do you handle pet parents who “want some medication” or “just refill his last antibiotic prescription?”

If you want to learn more about Dr. Dan Taylor’s current research project evaluating pet parents’ attitudes toward antibiotics, email him at: dantaylordvm@gmail.com

This week we’re delighted to be joined once again for an exclusive interview (and special surprise!) with Northe American Veterinary Community (NAVC) CEO Gene O’Neill.

Gene gives hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT an update on the 2021 VMX conference June 5-9, 2021, the health and safety precautions that will be in place, and what you can expect when you arrive.

Gene then discusses the strategic shift and focus for NAVC. Gene reveal his vision to make NAVC a year-round veterinary CE destination accessible to all veterinary professionals. The focus on “micro-learning” opportunities, regular and monthly CE events, and the ability to engage with experts both in-person and virtually are just a few of the exciting initiatives we can expect from NAVC over the next couple of years.

Gene then takes Dr. Ward and Beckie on a virtual tour of the upcoming NAVC immersive 3D CE platform. He teases the coming expansion of veterinary CE into virtual reality (VR) and explains why the virtual platform matters for a more enjoyable and effective educational experience.

Dr. Ward likens the experience to the Oasis from “Ready Player One” and expresses how “familiar” the 3D experience is to him. Beckie emphasizes the importance of fostering community, whenever online or in real life. Both our hosts left the simulation impressed and excited for the future of a “Virtual NAVC.”

Viewfinders, what do you think about virtual CE? Is it here to stay or will it disappear as soon as the pandemic is over? Are you interested in a 3D immersive CE experience? Did you read or watch "Ready Player One?" How about "Armada" or "Ready Player Two?" Asking for a friend... Share your thoughts!

Once again, over the past couple of weeks, the US veterinary profession has been devastated by news of a series of suicides by colleagues. This week we speak with the President of Not One More Vet (NOMV) Dr. Carrie Jurney to find out what we can do to help prevent suicides in veterinary medicine.

Co-hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT have a candid conversation about the current trends in suicide both in the US and abroad, the warning signs of self-harm, and simple steps you can do to help a colleague or loved on tin need.

This episode also discusses some of the reasons veterinary professionals may be at greater risk of suicidal ideation and depression, and the impact student debt has on overall wellbeing.

Viewfinders, this is a tough topic we need to keep talking about until we no longer receive news about losing another friend, coworker, or colleague.

Have you ever been told to “quiet down the laughter” in your clinic? What about “lighten up on the good vibes and get serious”? Can you be playful, happy, and joyous and still be productive and provide excellent patient care? Well, yeah.

This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss what happens when management kills the joy of working in a veterinary clinic. Whether a clinic’s leadership means to or not, by discouraging playful interactions between coworkers, they may be contributing to burnout, poor productivity, and even suboptimal patient care. No bueno.

Dr. Ward shares some interesting studies of Navy SEALS and the neurobiology of laughter and joy and why “a happy treatment area is a productive one.” Science.

Beckie digs deep into how veterinary ER teams rely on humor to get through stressful times and how keeping things light can benefit your clinic.

Viewfinders, this is another important topic that isn’t discussed enough in the veterinary profession. How do you find joy and humor in your work? Let us know!

It’s been quite the year for being short-staffed due to sickness in veterinary clinics. COVID-19, seasonal flu, curbside practice and the enormous emotional toll veterinary professionals are paying have led to workplace shortages. And even shorter tempers.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss how to deal with unexpected staff shortages in veterinary practice. Whether due to physical illness or emotional depletion, how can your team prepare for last-minute “call-in sick?”

Our hosts share personal stories, experiences, and solutions that every team needs to hear. Whether you work with 150 or 5 co-workers, there’s at least one tip you can apply to your personal life and professional environment in this week’s episode.

As Beckie says, “If you’re struggling, rewind this podcast and play it for your manager or owner!”

Stay safe and sane out there, Viewfinders! Let us know how you deal with being short-staffed due to sickness in your clinic!

If you're a licensed veterinary technician, how'd you like to earn a salary that’s 50% higher than the industry average?

This week our guest is Jesse Longo, LVT from New York City's Bond Vet, and he says vet techs can make up to $42 per hour at the clinic he works for under an innovative program they're calling the Nurse Elevation Program.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT learn Jesse's story of how he switched from history teacher to LVT, from ASPCA to Bond Vet, and how he's helping to elevate the earning potential of fellow vet techs.

Viewfinders, this is an interesting conversation you don't want to miss!

Share this episode with your friends and colleagues and tell us what you think! $42/hour? Why not?

Workplace divisions have been a challenge in veterinary practices for ages. But are tensions rising and has the source of conflict changed over the past few years?

We’re living through a highly divisive and politically-charged time in the US and around the globe. And, oh yeah, there's also a pandemic to deal with. This week, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT explore how the external world’s issues are creating conflict and volatility within veterinary clinics. This is truly a tough topic!

The duo discuss the recent popularity of masks, mugs, t-shirts, and even jewelry that proclaim political and social justice statements. They ask whether or not the veterinary clinic is the appropriate context to make a political or social justice stand? You don’t want to miss this conversation!

Dr. Ward expresses his concern that social media has given many permission to behave disrespectfully toward others and spread distrust. Beckie shares that her father even “unfriended” her on social media due to political disagreements! And you don’t want to miss Beckie’s rant against football!

Finally, the pair offer several solutions to help veterinary teams reclaim cohesion and unite. While there are no easy answers to these complex issues, we believe by openly confronting and discussing them, we can make positive change during these turbulent times.

Viewfinders, what are your thoughts on this topic? Are you experiencing heightened tensions between coworkers in your clinic? How are you coping and overcoming these issues?

It’s hard to scroll your social media feeds these days without running across a veterinary professional poking fun at pet parents. But what happens when “funny” crosses into “offensive,” “hurtful,” or client shaming? Have some veterinary professionals taken TikTok too far?

This week, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT tackle the recent uptick in veterinary social media content aimed at showcasing pet parent demands, questions, and other miscommunication and misunderstandings. Many of these posts and videos are clever and serve a positive purpose, but others seem to only belittle an humiliate otherwise caring and well-intentioned clients. What are the true motivators behind these posts and how we can cope in healthier ways? Are some of our colleagues posting these videos in a pursuit of “likes” and followers” without regard for potential impacts on the profession? Where are the professional boundaries and what happens when our colleagues cross them? As Beckie says about today’s episode, “It kind of turns into a little therapy session.”

Viewfinders, this is an important topic we hope will spark conversations throughout the profession. What do you think about our concerns? What about our suggestions? And finally, what are you doing , as Dr. Ward advocates, to “tilt toward optimism” and promote positive messages in your personal and practice life?

Ben & Jerry's Doggie Desserts! Need we say more?

This week we're thrilled to bring you the Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) behind Ben & Jerry's newest product, Doggie Desserts, Lindsay Bumps, CVT!

Lindsay Bumps, CVT is a Global Marketing Specialist (and canine culture expert for the "K9 to 5'ers" - you have to listen to find out!) for Ben & Jerry's in Vermont. Lindsay shares her story from childhood 4H and horse lover to vet tech school to private practice and how she arrived at Ben & Jerry's nearly 10 years ago.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT drool over her ice cream stories. Lindsay also shares practical life advice for anyone facing burnout or challenges in veterinary medicine. As Lindsay says, "I've been there, too!"

Viewfinders, we're honored to share Lindsay's unique and powerful story with you.

What do you think about Ben & Jerry's Doggie Desserts? Be sure to listen to the very end for a special request from Lindsay (Twitter: @Bumpsie027 and LinkedIn).

Share pics of your doggos enjoying B&J Doggie Desserts (or you!).