We know there are significant health benefits to sharing your home with a pet. So why don’t more older people have a companion animal? This week, we explore the possible stigma and biases faced by seniors who could benefit from pet ownership. Viewfinders, this is a good one!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, tackle a tough topic rarely talked about: the fears, concerns, and even biases faced by older people considering adding a new pet into their home. Many of these perceived risks and fears may be unfounded, yet they serve as a real barrier to pet ownership by many. 

Beckie begins by stating the obvious: many seniors fear what would happen to a pet if they died. Our hosts review some of the solutions to these worries and question how often it becomes a matter of relinquishment.

Dr. Ward shares some of his clinical experiences dealing with older clients considering a new pet and reveals how his own implicit biases may have influenced certain decisions. 

Viewfinders, this is an important topic that we believe needs more attention from veterinary professionals. If you have ideas or resources, share them on our Facebook, Instagram, or email us at veterinaryviewfinder@gmail.com

“Lasting hope starts here.”

This week, we’d like to introduce the Viewfinders to a fantastic new veterinary support organization, the Veterinary Hope Foundation. We’re thrilled to speak with one of the co-founders, Dr. Blair McConnel, and the head of the Mental Health Professionals for the organization, Krista Martin, LISW-CP, LCSW.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, review veterinary professionals' unique mental health challenges and how the free Veterinary Hope Foundation support groups work. 

Dr. McConnel shares why she co-founded the Foundation and how anyone in veterinary medicine can benefit. 

Krista Martin shares how the six-week programs work, why these use “affinity groups” to place veterinary team members with similar experiences or challenges, and why six to eight-member groups are the most effective. 

If you or someone you know could benefit from joining a free peer group such as this, sign up at www.veterinaryhope.org.

Viewfinders, please share this podcast with your team and colleagues. 

Thank you to the Veterinary Hope Foundation for giving us hope to overcome our mental health challenges and find a nurturing and supportive community! 

It’s Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation Week, and we’ve got the person who started it all, Ethel Pawlak! Joins us to celebrate our amazing veterinary receptionists April 23-29 as Veterinary Receptionist Week! 

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, are joined by the person who started Veterinary Receptionist Week some nineteen years ago, Ethel Pawlak. We share her story of decades in veterinary practice and why she believes veterinary receptionists deserve their own special week of recognition. We agree!

We discuss why veterinary receptionists (CSRs, etc.) are often unsung heroes in the veterinary profession and how they can make - or break - a veterinary experience. 

Dr. Ward advocates for better pay, benefits, training, and support and expresses how a stable veterinary receptionist team can grow your business. 

Beckie praises veterinary receptionists' unique skillset and why she believes they are essential for successful patient care and client service.

Viewfinders, how are you celebrating Veterinary Receptionist Week? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas!

Thank you, Ethel Pawlak, for advocating for veterinary receptionists! 

This week, we’re delighted to bring you a special episode on large animal and livestock veterinary technicians featuring The Cattle Vet Tech, Meg Harrington, BS, CVT. Meh shares the latest update (and back story) on the recent changes to expand the scope of work veterinary technicians in her home state of Arkansas can perform and why she’s so passionate about large animal medicine!

We don’t talk nearly enough about our large animal colleagues nearly enough on the Veterinary Viewfinder. This week, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, are joined by Meg Harrington, BS, CVT, the “Cattle Vet Tech,” to talk about her life, career, and why she’s fighting to expand the roles of veterinary technicians in Arkansas and around the country.

Viewfinders, we hope you find this conversation as inspiring as we did. Thanks again to Meg for her persistent advocacy of the veterinary profession!   

There have been a lot of legal moves lately regarding the roles, regulations, and titles of U.S. veterinary technicians. This week we look closer at what’s happening in several states and why all veterinary professionals must stay informed.  

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, review the recent legal maneuvers in Arkansas and what impact these changes may have around the country. This week's episode also discusses new rules proposed in California, Colorado, and elsewhere.

Viewfinders, in addition to staying up-to-date on legal changes affecting the veterinary profession, what issues are you seeing in your state? Let us know so we can share them with our colleagues!

As always, Viewfinders, we can’t thank you enough for your loyal listening over the past 6.5 years! Have a great week! 

This week we’re delighted to have one of the founders of The Bridge Club join us. Catherine Haskins has spent much of her career behind the scenes in veterinary medicine, and now that she’s stepping out front, she’s got a lot to say!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, share the mic with Catherine Haskins of The Bridge Club. In her words, The Bridge Club “is a critical conversation company initiating meaningful conversations to elevate veterinary medicine. We strongly believe thoughtful discussions lead to realistic outcomes of the issues and topics affecting the veterinary profession. Our mission is to connect, engage and grow veterinary medicine and the services provided.”

In addition to sharing Catherine’s story, we revisit the relationship between veterinary professionals such as groomers, trainers, dog walkers, etc. We first covered this way back in August 2017. You may want to check out that episode (and a couple of others) for our advice on building relationships with pet paraprofessionals in your community - and why it’s essential!

Catherine and The Bridge Club will address that topic on April 19, 2023, and we recommend that you tune in. As always, those broadcasts are FREE (just like this podcast!). 

Thanks, Catherine, for sharing your story with the Viewfinders!

Chances are, if you’re a veterinary technician, you were asked for a “working interview” during the hiring process. This week, we’ve got a veterinary technician who cautions that not only may working interviews be illegal, but that may put interviewees at considerable risk. Viewfinders, you don’t want to miss this one!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, are joined by Amy Newfield, MS, CVT, VTS (ECC), owner of Veterinary Team Training. The trio talks about all things “working interview,” including what Amy considers a “working interview, how Dr. Ward’s “working interviews differ from most, and Beckie’s firsthand experience being asking “to prove her skills.” 

Viewfinders, there’s a lot to process in this week’s episode. We want to thank Amy for sharing her perspectives, experiences, and advocacy for veterinary technicians.

Working in a veterinary clinic can be stressful and downright depressing at times. A positive leadership team and support structure can make your job more enjoyable and meaningful. This week we’ve got Josh Vaisman to discuss his survey called “Leadership & Workplace Experience Study: The Impact of Positive Leadership on Veterinary Teams.” Viewfinders, this is a conversation we think you’ll find helpful for your team!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, are joined by Josh Vaisman, MAPPCP, CCFP, founder of Flourish Veterinary Consulting. We take a deep dive into his survey on what factors make a great veterinary workplace and how you can make yours better!

This conversation is full of advice and experiences that will benefit any team member. If you’re struggling with your leadership, we suggest sending them a link or playing this episode out loud so they can hear! Subtle, we know.

Thank you, Josh, for sharing your positive vibes with the Viewfinders! 

Many veterinary professionals are familiar with Class IV or “cold” laser therapy for pet patients suffering from arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. The challenge many pet parent face is bringing their dog or cat to the vet clinic for regular treatments. This week, MedcoVet’s CEO, Alon Landa, joins us to discuss how veterinary professionals can prescribe in-home laser therapy for their patients.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mosser, RVT, are joined by Alon Landa to discuss how vets can increase compliance and adherence to laser therapy regimens. Alon shares his unique (and out of this world - literally!) story of how he “landed” in veterinary therapeutics and the science behind photobiomodulation in pets.   

Viewfinders, we’re excited to bring you this innovative approach to helping your clients provide the best care for their pets using cutting-edge medical techniques.

Title protection for medical professionals, particularly veterinary technicians, continues to be an issue in the US. This week we’re joined by two of our favorite - and outspoken - vet tech friends, Stephen Cital and Liz Hughston. They review a recent article they co-authored titled “Why title protection matters: A look at where we’ve been, where we’re going, and why it is still an issue.” Viewfinders, this is a good one!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, review the current state of medical professional title protection within the US. Stephen shares that human medical professionals are facing similar issues. At the same time, Liz reviews the history behind the Veterinary Nurse Initiative (VNI) and how the title “veterinary nurse” is being misused. 

Viewfinders, this a hot topic that you need to understand fully. Hopefully, you’ll be inspired to get involved after listening to this podcast! We want to thank Liz and Stephen for their efforts and for taking the time to review this issue in detail and with tremendous consideration.

This week we’re proud to bring you a conversation with a fundamental change agent within the veterinary profession, Paige A. Allen, MS, RVT. Paige has guided both veterinary technician organizations and held the highest office in the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) - FOR TWO TERMS! This week she shares her story and vision for the future of veterinary medicine. Prepare to be inspired!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, discuss how Paige became interested in the veterinary technician profession, her progression as a leader, and what changes she thinks the next generation of veterinary technicians (and veterinarians) needs to make to improve veterinary practice. From title protection to the term “veterinary nurse” to her experiences of being told she couldn’t become a veterinarian “because she was a woman,” this conversation will brighten your day!

Viewfinders, share this podcast with someone who needs a lift or is facing a challenge. Hopefully, you’ll find the nudge you need to make positive changes in your world after listening!

About Paige Allen, MS, RVT

Paige started her career in 1984 in a mixed animal practice in Nebraska. In 1986, she came to Purdue University, where she held several positions in Purdue’s Veterinary Hospital, including Food Animal Technician, Large Animal Anesthesia/Surgery Technician, and Director of Central Supply. She helped to start Purdue’s Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program and is now the Assistant Director for Academic Advising for Purdue’s Veterinary Nursing Program. She has a fantastic husband, three outstanding children, and five terrific grandchildren! Darrell and Paige live in the country and have two cats, Mac & Cheese. She is always looking for new adventures and challenges, personally and professionally.

What happens when a team member needs to bring their pet in during recovery or to avoid a behavioral problem at home? Where do you keep it? Who cares for it? Is the employee charged? How long can they bring their pet? What happens if you run out of space? If they’re sick, when are they examined? These are but a few of the potential problems that arise when bringing personal pets into your practice. This week we take a closer look at how you can create solutions to avoid these common personal pet pitfalls.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, review their experiences and observations with team members’ pets in the practice. Viewfinders, this is another wide-ranging conversation designed to help you develop protocols and policies to avoid problems. Please share your thoughts on our social media or email us!