“Quiet quitting” has gone viral. This week we examine what “quiet quitting” really means, how it’s actually been around for a long time (thank you, Gen Xers), and how you can learn from this workplace trend.

In our 300th consecutive weekly episode (!), hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss the latest Gen Z TikTok trend of “quiet quitting.” The pair explain how this applies to veterinary professionals, and why this may be a healthy movement.

Dr. Ward reminds the Viewfinders that, “You are not defined by how many hours you work.” He shares why establishing healthy boundaries between work and personal life are essential for a long - and satisfying - career in veterinary medicine. (And he’s been doing this for over 30 years.)

Beckie examines the workplace pressures many veterinary professionals feel if they “take time for themselves” and how many clinics may be reinforcing toxic relationships with work by “texting you at 2 a.m. to ask about work" and then getting upset if you don't respond immediately. Someone needed to hear that...

Viewfinders, thank you for allowing us to get to 300 podcasts! Back in 2016 when we started, we could not imagine how much we’d grow and how much fun we’d be having!

Share this podcast with a colleague who needs to hear it and don’t forget to head over to Apple Podcasts and give us a 5-star review so we can reach more veterinary professionals!

Many of us see things that need changing or improving nearly every day. Sadly, few of us take action to make those changes or improvements. Stefanie Perry, CVT, VTS (Dentistry) recognized that Arizona veterinary technicians didn’t have an organization, so she and two others decided to make that change! This week, we learn how you can help the AZVTA and steps you can take to make changes in your world!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT are thrilled to introduce you to Stefanie Perry, CVT, VTS, the current President of the brand new Arizona Veterinary Technician Association (azvta.org). She’s part of a growing movement of licensed veterinary technicians who are establishing protections and promoting better standards of veterinary care around the US.

Regardless of where you live, this episode is both inspiring and pragmatic for making change. We need more folks like Stefanie, President-Elect Jennifer Serling, CVT, RVT, VTES, AAS, BVSc (Go App State!), and Vice President Katie Foust, CVT! Bravo!

If you’re interested in learning more about the AZVTA, visit them at azvta.org.

Unions & Preserving What You Love in Vet Med - Update with Liz Hughston, RVT

Do you throw a party when a team member leaves? What about birthdays or work anniversaries? How do you make celebrating employees fair and equitable? Does it sometimes feel like high school all over again in terms of who gets recognized, how, and when? If you’ve ever felt unsure about what, who, and how to recognize your team’s special events (and some maybe not so special happenings), then you’ll definitely want to check out this week’s Veterinary Viewfinder!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT explore how to gracefully - and strategically - celebrate a team member’s leaving. Dr. Ward explains why many veterinary clinics don’t commemorate when a staff member leaves for a competing practice across town, but are quick to “throw a party” when they move across state.

Beckie details how saluting staff for a wide variety of milestones can boost your culture and encourage job satisfaction. Both hosts offer simple, and affordable, tips on making meaningful staff recognitions and advice on keeping things fair.

Viewfinders, share your thoughts on this episode or suggestions for additional topics on your social media or email us at veterinaryviewfinder@gmail.com.

The Veterinary Viewfinder was founded in 2016 to “tackle the toughest topics in veterinary medicine.” One of the tough topics we’ve covered repeatedly is the growing movement to ban non-therapeutic, non-preventive procedures such as feline digit amputation, often referred to as “declawing.” This week we’re excited to introduce you to the Canadian Animal Health Technician (same as US RVT/CVT/LVT) who succeeded in the enactment of a law banning declawing in the Province of Quebec. If you’re wondering, Quebec is the second-most populous province with a population of over 8 million. Not bad for a vet tech!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT are thrilled to bring you a master class in how one person can bring about big change. Leading the class is the amazing vet tech (animal health technician in Canadian-speak) Alexandra Yaksich, BSc., AHT. Alex wears many hats. She is currently working as a freelance writer, communications consultant, content creator, and relief animal health technician.

The story we share this week is about how anyone can overcome their doubts and fears to create change. Viewfinders, prepare to be inspired!

Alex is a loyal podcast subscriber and decided to email us at veterinaryviewfinder@gmail.com and tell us she had a story to share! (You can, too!)

If there’s something in your world you want to improve or change, Alex lays out a practical, logical, and systemic approach.

Whether it’s animal welfare, social justice, LGBTQ+, worker rights, or anything you feel is wrong or less than ideal, we believe this episode will not only inspire, but offers a pathway for change. Viewfinders, this is a good one!

Follow Alex on Instagram (@alexandra.yaksich) or connect with her via LinkedIn at https://bit.ly/3znSCoZ.

It's no secret many (most?) veterinary clinics across the nation are feeling overwhelmed. Our clients and patients must wait days to weeks to be seen or endure long waits in lobbies for "walk-in" appointments. Could shifting to a “hybrid urgent care model” help ease the stress many veterinary professionals are experiencing? Let's talk about it.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss how any general veterinary clinic could shift to a "hybrid urgent care model" and the potential benefits.

Dr. Ward emphasizes that this type of strategic change could help by changing our team's perspective and expectations on an already busy day. Beckie shares that many vet techs who would like to work ER cases but can't manage the hours may also find this model appealing.

We'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions. We'll continue to promote and advocate for innovations that improve patient care, client service, and staff well-being. Share your thoughts on our social media accounts or email us at veterinaryviewfinder@gmail.com.

We’ve heard too many stories the past few months of veterinary clinics not taking new patients or unable to see routine care appointments for weeks. Have the pandemic, workplace shortage, an inflation made the veterinary industry potentially less “recession proof” than before? Viewfinders, let’s tackle this tough topic!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss how some clinics may be inadvertently putting themselves at increased risk of recession impacts due to not accepting new patients, long waits for annual care, and rising prices.

Dr. Ward points out why this potential recession may be unlike any other for the veterinary profession as a multitude of veterinary market forces conspire to threaten our traditional economic resilience.

Beckie discusses her concerns that too many veterinary practices may not appreciate that today’s clients may not be as loyal as in the past and that vet-flation may cause many pet parents to price shop out services.

Our hosts discuss the “veterinary workforce translocation” that may hav additional impacts on how independent vet clinics operate in the future. They also discuss steps every clinic needs to take now to lessen the affects of a potential economic downturn.

Viewfinders, we hope this episode gives you ideas on how to weather the economic storms that may lie ahead. Don’t forget to head over to Apple Podcasts and drop 5-stars on on us so we may reach more veterinary colleagues! If you have any questions or topic ideas, email us at veterinaryviewfinder@gmail.com!

A frequent guest on the podcast, Stephen Cital RVT, RLAT, SRA, CVPP, VTS- LAM (Res. Anesthesia), recently caused a bit of controversy on vet med social media by taking a very public stand against continuing education conferences held in states harboring laws against women’s and LGBTQ+ rights and other social injustices. Stephen decided to “sit out” or boycott speaking at these events, resulting in considerable online chatter. This week, in an exclusive interview, we’re thrilled to bring you his side of the story and why it matters to all of us.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT review Stephen’s actions, discuss both the support and criticisms he has received, and practical steps we can all take to stand up for the things we believe in.

Viewfinders, this is an important conversation on a topic that many, including us, may find uncomfortable at times. We think it’s important to openly (and civilly) address this issue as a profession and hope this sparks conversation - and action - in your world.

A huge thanks to Stephen for joining us and bravely sharing his story.

Link to Stephen’s LinkedIn post: https://bit.ly/3o5zTJj

Link the Facebook post discussed in the podcast: https://bit.ly/3NY9EPP

veterinaryviewfinder@gmail.com

@veterinaryviewfinder

Choosing a veterinary or veterinary technician school is one of the most important - and potentially challenging - decisions you’ll make in your career. Today, technology and educational innovations provide vets and vet techs with more professional school choices than ever before. This week, let’s look at one exciting new veterinary technician program developed by our very own Beckie Mossor, RVT!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT explore the next generation of veterinary technician programs. Dr. Ward begins by sharing a recent “random Facebook message” he received about choosing a veterinary school and the advice he offered.

Beckie takes us on a deep dive into the current state of US veterinary technician schools and why she’s excited to share some of the innovations of her new A.S in Veterinary Medical technology Program from Gurnick Academy. And Dr. Ward explains why that A.S. degree might be more important to your decision than you might think.

Viewfinders. Share this podcast with any students or colleagues interested in pursuing a prolonged career in vet med!

To learn more about Beckie’s Gurnick Academy veterinary technician A.S. program, click here: https://www.gurnick.edu/programs/veterinary-medical-technology-program/

If you’d like to learn more about all the veterinary technician programs accredited by the AVMA CVTEA, check out this link: https://bit.ly/3yl7YKn

We want to take a moment to address the June 24, 2022 Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decision to overturn Roe versus Wade. This decision stripped away the right to have a safe and legal abortion in the United States.

Everyone should have the right to decide what's best for themselves and for their families, including when it comes to ending a pregnancy.This decision potentially has dire consequences for individual health and safety and could have harsh repercussions for other landmark decisions.

Restricting access to comprehensive reproductive care, including abortion, threatens the health and independence of all Americans.

Thank you to Arielle Nissenblatt, the founder of the EarBuds Podcast Collective (https://www.earbudspodcastcollective.org/), for starting this movement. Podcasters from around the world are making this announcement at the top of their podcasts in a time where people really are looking for help looking for unity looking to know what to do.

This is an amazing movement to show how many of us are concerned and how important it is to unite over this very important topic.

We encourage you to speak up, take care, and spread the word.

Thank you to the Viewfinders who continue to serve others and share their love and compassion with all.

Perhaps there’s never been a time when more veterinary professionals changed jobs than during the past 18 months. Many colleagues are finding increased salaries, better benefits, and interesting opportunities. But what happens when your new job turns out to have many of the old problems you were getting away from? Viewfinders, let’s talk about that and a whole lot more concerning switching employers.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT begin with a recent conversation Dr. Ward had with a young veterinarian who recently changed jobs. Despite an awesome signing bonus and generous salary bump, after a few months at the new clinic, she confided she wasn’t as happy as she’d hoped. What went wrong? Listen to find out!

Our pair discuss what to look for when thinking about changing jobs, how to self-evaluate what’s really wrong in your workplace, and why it’s essential for each of us to self-reflect on why we love this profession in order to find the best workplace. Oh, and why any job isn’t necessarily going to provide you with purpose, fulfillment and meaning in your life. As always, there’s a lot to unpack in this podcast!

The duo also discuss establishing realistic expectations for veterinary professionals when dealing with them pet-owning public, relationships with coworkers, and treatment from managers and bosses. There’s so much to talk about this week!

Please join in wishing Beckie a Happy Birthday this week! All she asks for is a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/VetView Thanks again for listening!

Email us at: VeterinaryViewfinder@gmail.com

A viral news story involving a Maine veterinary clinic and relinquishment of a pet whose owner couldn’t afford treatment has been widely circulating on social media. This week we address many of our concerns from sloppy reporting to missed media opportunities to the practice of pet relinquishment. Our full support and hearts go out to the entire veterinary team involved with this challenging case, and hope this conversation will help others facing similar situations. Viewfinders, there’s a lot to discuss on this tough topic.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT review the recent case involving the Maine Veterinary Medical Center and a client who relinquished her pet because she couldn’t afford the $10,000 fee.

Dr. Ward begins by examining tactics to handle media inquiries involving disgruntled clients. Beckie Mossor, RVT shares her own experiences and why the art of compromise is essential in dealign with these cases, especially in an emergency setting.

Dr. Ward reviews his opinion on financial relinquishment and confiscation of pets. He also encourages clinics to role-play these scenarios and create plans to help when confronting financial constraints.

Viewfinders, while our hearts are broken for all involved in this case, we urge our colleagues not to resort to online client-bashing and hurtful rhetoric. It can be challenging to practice radical empathy and compassion, but we hope you can remain respectful and professional when posting your thoughts.

There are many lessons we can learn from these tragedies. We encourage you to check out Dr. Ward’s piece on a couple of similar situations. We’re also including the Maine Veterinary Medical Center’s complete June 11, 2022 Statement on our website.