In this week's episode of the Veterinary Viewfinder, we explore an unexpected trend: American pet owners traveling to Mexico for veterinary care. From surgeries to dentistry and a range of medical procedures, more and more people are crossing the border to seek affordable veterinary care for their pets. We'll delve into the stories behind this phenomenon, discuss why it's happening, and offer insights that veterinary professionals need to know. 

Join hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mosser, MPA, RVT, as they review the factors driving this growing movement and what it means for the future of pet healthcare.

This week, our hosts travel to the annual American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) convention in Austin, Texas. Discover the heated debates and critical updates on veterinary medical ethics arising from the AVMA’s House of Delegates approval of a recently revised Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics (PVME).

Join hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Becky Mosser, MPA, RVT, as they delve into some of the changes to the PVME that they believe will affect many veterinary professionals.

Our duo starts by discussing the newly-introduced ethical usage by veterinarians of the term “veterinary technician,” some significant changes to the ethical definition of “evidence-based medicine,” why the omission of a single one matters to them, and the controversial topic of animal depopulation and ventilation shutdown (VSD+) receives an ethical okay from the AVMA HOD.

Viewfinders, we hope these conversations continue to propel our profession forward. We want to thank our colleagues at the AVMA Executive Board and HOD for their work, regardless of their opinions, and welcome the opportunity to share different perspectives on the issues that affect the veterinary profession.

Medical mistakes happen in veterinary practice, but who pays the price? This week on the Veterinary Viewfinder, we discuss the tough topic of financial accountability in veterinary practice. From malpractice and negligence to honest mistakes and simple errors, we unpack the ethical and financial considerations that determine who pays the bill. Viewfinders, this is a thought-provoking discussion that every veterinary professional should hear.

The news is full of new offerings for services for dogs, cats, and other animals. This week on the Veterinary Viewfinder, we address the frequent requests for advice on pet services from our clients, friends, and family. What could possibly go wrong? Turns out a lot. 

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, explore the turbulence a luxury dog airline encounters and the impact of a major pet insurance company canceling hundreds of thousands of policies. Learn how these developments affect our recommendations and discover strategies for guiding clients on third-party pet services. Tune in for practical advice on navigating these evolving trends in the pet industry.

In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, we dive into the recent legislative change in Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 382, exempting the Board of Veterinary Medicine from continuing education requirements. Co-hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, discuss the implications of this decision, how it could impact veterinary professionals across the country, and the lessons we can learn. Tune in to explore the potential effects on veterinary practice and the broader industry, and join the conversation about maintaining standards and staying informed in a rapidly evolving field.

🎙️🐾 Welcome back to the Veterinary Viewfinder! For nearly eight years, we've fearlessly tackled the toughest topics in veterinary medicine every single week. This week, we're diving back into the wild world of social media, where controversy is always just a click away. But here's the twist – we're exploring the fine line between being a “social media influencer” and being truly influential in the vet med community. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion – it's one you won't want to scroll past! 🌟📱🐶

Join hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, for an intriguing and potentially controversial conversation that explores the nuances between “influencer” and “influential,” the influence of hidden money in many veterinary social media posts, and how to handle better some of the personal infighting that’s currently happening in vet med online. Viewfinders, this is a good one!

This week's discussion delves into a tough yet all-too-common veterinary practice scenario. How do you respond as a licensed veterinary professional when asked to train someone to perform tasks they lack the necessary licenses or credentials for? As healthcare professionals, we often silently grapple with such dilemmas in our clinical settings.

Join hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, for an intriguing and potentially controversial conversation that explores the complexities and potential solutions to the issue of licensed and credentialed veterinarians or veterinary technicians training non-licensed employees to do duties your license oversees. Viewfinders, this is a good one!

Choosing the perfect summer read can be challenging for busy veterinary professionals. As vacation season approaches, we’re excited to share some top book recommendations tailored for the Viewfinders. Whether you’re lounging by the pool or taking a well-deserved break, our recommendations have something for everyone.

Join hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, as they discuss their latest favorite reads. From Pulitzer Prize-winning novels to insightful self-help and leadership books, these selections are sure to captivate and inspire you and offer plenty of escapism from the hectic veterinary life!

Tune in to this episode and discover:

* Engaging fiction that offers a delightful escape

* Thought-provoking non-fiction that enhances personal and professional growth

* Books that provide both relaxation and valuable insights

A tough topic you'll encounter at some point in your veterinary career is some sort of recall. These recalls and worries can be about medications, pet foods, and pet accessories, encompassing a wide gamut of products and services we recommend to the pet-owning public, and suddenly, somebody says there's a problem. This week, we want to discuss what you should do if you encounter one of these rumors or recalls and how you can better communicate with your clients and stay ahead of hysteria. 

Join hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, as they share their experiences with veterinary rumors and recalls. They offer their experiences and tips on how you should respond and why education is the foundation of better professional communication. 

If you like this type of content, please go to Apple Podcasts or your favorite player and leave us a 5-star review. Your stars help us reach more of our colleagues! Thank you! 

Please share your opinions and experiences with us on Facebook or Instagram at @VeterinaryViewfinder or email us at VeterinaryViewfinder@gmail.com. 

What happens if you find out that one of your colleagues is on OnlyFans? This week, we want to talk about the exciting world of online entrepreneurship and what you should do or how you should handle all the little questions we have if you find out that one of your teammates is on the Internet in a very intimate way. The Veterinary Viewfinder is the podcast that tackles the toughest topics in veterinary medicine. I believe this qualifies, Viewfinders!

When we started this podcast over seven and a half years ago, a tough topic that we covered on the Viewfinder in the early days was, what do you do about tattoos? Should they be visible, or should they be hidden, and do you have a policy? Well, you might have more than a tattoo to worry about these days. We want to discuss what happens if you find out if one of your colleagues, employees, coworkers, teammates, or colleagues is on OnlyFans or a similar intimate or adult website.

We want to discuss communication strategies you may want to consider ahead of time because you’ll likely encounter some variation of this scenario in the near future. 

Join hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, as they share their own experiences with employees and colleagues who have worked in the adult industry and tips to prepare your clinic. 

For the past 7.5 years, the Veterinary Viewfinder has strived to tackle the toughest topics in veterinary medicine each week. This week, we’re revisiting one of our favorite tough topics: money. Lately, social media seems abuzz with folks complaining about the high cost of veterinary care. This week, we want to dive a little deeper into some of the causes of these complaints and steps you can take when you're face-to-face with an upset client.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, share their experiences with clients complaining about veterinary prices and offer advice on preventing misunderstandings and how to effectively and respectfully handle them when they arise.

If you like this type of content, please go to Apple Podcasts or your favorite player and leave us a 5-star review. Your stars help us reach more of our colleagues! Thank you!

Viewfinders, please share your thoughts on professional feedback with us on our Facebook or Instagram pages or email VeterinaryViewfinder@gmail.com.

A tough job that we often talk about on the Veterinary Viewfinder is the role of a veterinary receptionist, a customer service representative, or whatever you choose to call those invaluable folks up front who are, quite frankly, taking a lot of the hits from our clients. 

This week, we’re excited to welcome back to the podcast Debbie Boone, CVPM, one of the co-founders of a new organization dedicated to improving the lives and skills of those folks who are our veterinary receptionists. This week, we want to talk to you about how you can get involved and why this is important for your clinic.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, talk with Debbie Boone, CVPM, a co-founder of the North American Association of Veterinary Receptionists (NAAVR) co-founder. Learn how this organization started, what their plans are, and why you should better train your veterinary receptionists!