Episodios

  • U.S. Pets Are Being Exposed to Pepper Spray: A Conversation with Steve Dale

    U.S. Pets Are Being Exposed to Pepper Spray: A Conversation with Steve Dale
    Nov 5 2025
    This week on The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, are joined by Chicago-based journalist and certified animal behavior consultant Steve Dale to discuss a surprising and underreported issue: pets incidentally exposed to pepper spray and tear gas in U.S. cities. While these cases are rare, they present serious challenges for veterinarians and pet owners alike. The hosts and Steve examine how dogs and cats can become unintended victims of crowd-control chemicals, either through direct exposure or residual contamination on fur, clothing, or outdoor surfaces. Dr. Ward emphasizes the increased risks associated with brachycephalic dog and cat breeds, even to limited exposure to the agents. They explore the respiratory, ocular, and skin effects of these agents and discuss practical treatment approaches, from immediate decontamination and eye irrigation to managing inflammation and secondary infections. Steve shares recent examples from Chicago and other communities where pets experienced mild to moderate symptoms after being caught near chemical dispersals. The discussion also highlights the importance of client education, protective measures, and emotional support for both owners and veterinary teams responding to such events. Ultimately, this episode blends clinical insight, public awareness, and compassion, reminding listeners that preparation, not panic, is the best defense when the unexpected reaches the exam room door. LINKS www.stevedale.tv https://www.cdc.gov/chemical-emergencies/pets/response.html#:~:text=1.,helps%20remove%20any%20leftover%20chemical #VeterinaryPodcast #VetMed #VeterinaryCommunity #PetSafety #ChemicalExposure #VeterinaryPreparedness #TearGasExposure #PepperSprayAwareness #VeterinaryLeadership #AnimalWelfare #SteveDale
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    28 m
  • Veterinary Transparency Isn’t Terrifying: What the U.K. CMA Report Means for Clinics and Clients

    Veterinary Transparency Isn’t Terrifying: What the U.K. CMA Report Means for Clinics and Clients
    Oct 29 2025
    This week on The Veterinary Viewfinder, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, examine the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) 2024 report—a document shaking up global veterinary medicine. The CMA’s findings on pricing, ownership disclosure, and consumer trust have sparked heated debates across the profession. Ernie and Beckie explain how the CMA found clients often don’t know who owns their vet clinic, leading to confusion about costs and care. They discuss the agency’s recommendations for mandatory transparency, including requiring clinics to clearly display ownership and pricing for services such as cremation or after-hours care. Beckie highlights the public’s growing frustration with hidden fees and the pressure this places on front-desk staff, while Ernie connects the dots to corporate consolidation trends in the U.S. and Australia, where similar oversight may be on the way. Both hosts agree that transparency shouldn’t be feared—it’s a chance to rebuild client trust and showcase the value of high-quality veterinary care. This episode challenges veterinary leaders to shift their mindset: transparency isn’t a threat, it’s an opportunity. If you’re a clinic owner, technician, or manager wondering what this report could mean for your practice—or your clients—this is the episode to hear. #VeterinaryPodcast #VetMed #VetClinicLife #VeterinaryTransparency #CMAReport #PriceTransparency #CorporateVetMed #GlobalVetMed #VeterinaryLeadership #FutureOfVetMed
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    32 m
  • Rethinking the 90-Day Rule: Building Trust, Not Probation, in Veterinary Teams

    Rethinking the 90-Day Rule: Building Trust, Not Probation, in Veterinary Teams
    Oct 22 2025
    What does your clinic call the first 90 days of employment? A probationary period, onboarding, or something else? This week on The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, challenge one of the most ingrained (and, according to our hosts, outdated) terms and concepts in veterinary employment: the “90-day probation.” Dr. Ward and Beckie unpack the emotional, legal, and psychological implications of labeling new hires as being “on probation.” They explore how the language itself can erode trust, safety, and belonging, especially for veterinary technicians and support staff who may already feel undervalued. Citing insights from thought leader Amy Newfield of Vet Team Training, they argue that onboarding should be a process of mutual trust-building and skill development, not testing or punishment. The discussion moves beyond terminology to the real heart of the issue: leadership mindset. Should employers still rely on a fixed 90-day cutoff, or should they focus on continuous feedback, structured onboarding, and open communication from day one? Whether you’re a clinic owner, manager, or new hire, this episode will change the way you think about the first 90 days, transforming it from a probationary “trial” into the foundation of a lasting, supportive workplace culture. #VeterinaryPodcast #VetMed #VetClinicLife #VetTeamTraining #Onboarding #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #ContinuousFeedback #HealthyWorkplace #VetWellbeing #CultureOfTrust
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    29 m
  • Celebrating Veterinary Technicians: Purpose, Pathways, and the Power of Giving Back

    Celebrating Veterinary Technicians: Purpose, Pathways, and the Power of Giving Back
    Oct 15 2025
    This week on The Veterinary Viewfinder, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, celebrate National Veterinary Technician Week and the fifth anniversary of the Veterinary Giving Tree, a grassroots initiative helping veterinary professionals in need. But beyond celebration, this conversation digs into what meaningful recognition really looks like, and how the profession can sustain it. Beckie reflects on the origins of the Giving Tree during COVID and how it’s become a lifeline of generosity in tough times. Together, she and Dr. Ward discuss this year’s NAVTA Vet Tech Week theme: “Pathways to Success”, exploring the many routes vet techs now take, from clinical care to education, leadership, and industry roles. They emphasize the growing need for advocacy, state-level engagement, and professional membership to ensure credentialed technicians continue to advance. The episode also challenges clinics to think beyond “pizza parties” and performative gestures, urging genuine appreciation through membership support, CE opportunities, and personal acknowledgment. Ultimately, this episode is a heartfelt celebration and a powerful call to action: to honor the past, empower the present, and invest in the future of veterinary technicians everywhere. NAVTA — National Veterinary Technician Week: https://navta.net/national-veterinary-technician-week Veterinary Industry Giving Tree: https://www.veterinarygivingtree.com #VeterinaryPodcast #VetMed #VetTechLife #NationalVetTechWeek #VetTechAppreciation #VetTechStrong #VeterinaryGivingTree #KindnessInVetMed #CompassionFatigueAwareness #VetMedCommunity #VeterinaryProfession
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    22 m
  • When Your Clinic Gets Bought: Navigating Culture Shifts, Contracts, and Control

    When Your Clinic Gets Bought: Navigating Culture Shifts, Contracts, and Control
    Oct 8 2025
    What really happens when your veterinary clinic is sold? In this week’s episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, unpack the messy realities behind acquisitions, whether by large corporate groups or independent buyers. They explore what practice owners, associates, and staff need to know before the ink dries on a deal. For veterinarians, the shift often means more reporting, formal reviews, and oversight that can feel like a loss of autonomy. For technicians and support staff, acquisitions can bring both anxiety and surprising benefits, such as more consistent schedules, guaranteed lunch breaks, and expanded benefits. The conversation extends globally, examining the UK and Australia, where corporate ownership now dominates the market. Government commissions are scrutinizing rising costs and pushing for price transparency, a trend that could shape the U.S. veterinary landscape. Ernie and Beckie also discuss the ripple effects of mergers, staffing cuts, upsell pressures, and client frustrations (and uncomfortable conversations) when fees suddenly jump. Most importantly, they outline what teams can do to prepare, from negotiating staff retention clauses to protecting community trust. If you’re facing an acquisition—or even just wondering what might happen—this episode offers clear insights into how to navigate change and protect both your team and your patients. World Pet Obesity Week, October 6-12, 2025, Toolkit, Social Media Shareables, and Survey Link: www.petobesityprevention.org National Veterinary Technician Week - October 12-18, 2025 https://navta.net/national-veterinary-technician-week/ #VeterinaryPodcast #VetMed #VeterinaryCommunity #VetPracticeManagement #VeterinaryBusiness #VetClinicAcquisition #CorporateVetMed #GlobalVetMed #VeterinaryLeadership #PriceTransparency
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    31 m
  • October Vet Playbook: WSAVA Takeaways, World Pet Obesity Week Tools, and Vet Tech Appreciation

    October Vet Playbook: WSAVA Takeaways, World Pet Obesity Week Tools, and Vet Tech Appreciation
    Oct 1 2025
    October is stacked for veterinary teams. In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, share a rapid “what to do now” briefing after returning from the annual WSAVA conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You’ll hear global perspectives on credentialing and utilization of veterinary nurses/technicians, why international collaboration matters, and how organized medicine can accelerate change. Then the focus shifts to World Pet Obesity Week (October 6–12) with a clear call to action: take and share the profession’s opinion survey, and use the updated feeding, calorie, and step-weight loss calculators, along with a ready-to-post clinic toolkit for client education. Finally, the episode tees up National Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week (“Path to Success,” October 12–18), with practical ideas to recognize credentialed technicians and strengthen team culture. You’ll also get info for upcoming WSAVA meetings (Warsaw, then India) and a reminder that small, consistent advocacy inside your clinic compounds into profession-wide progress. If you want one episode that translates October’s veterinary calendar into concrete steps for patient care, culture, and communication, this is it. #VeterinaryPodcast #VetMed #VeterinaryCommunity #WSAVA #VetConference #Credentialing #WorldPetObesityWeek #PetNutrition #HealthyPets #VetTechAppreciation #VetTechWeek #VetTechStrong World Pet Obesity Week, October 6-12, 2025, Toolkit, Social Media Shareables, and Survey Link: www.petobesityprevention.org National Veterinary Technician Week - October 12-18, 2025 https://navta.net/national-veterinary-technician-week/
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    26 m
  • Beyond Annual Reviews: Building a Culture of Continuous Feedback in Veterinary Medicine

    Beyond Annual Reviews: Building a Culture of Continuous Feedback in Veterinary Medicine
    Sep 24 2025
    Performance evaluations are one of the most misunderstood and often dreaded processes in veterinary medicine. Many clinics either skip them entirely or treat them as a once-a-year formality tied closely to raises. This creates stress for team members and fails to deliver meaningful guidance for improvement. In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, discuss why traditional performance reviews often fall short and explore practices that can help change this dynamic. Drawing on decades of experience, they examine the impact of inconsistent feedback, the problems caused by waiting a full year to address performance issues, and the anxiety that arises when evaluations are directly linked to compensation. Through real-world examples, Ernie and Beckie illustrate how these common mistakes erode morale and hinder growth within the veterinary team. The conversation then turns to solutions, focusing on how to create a culture where feedback is continuous, specific, and actionable. They discuss how regular conversations foster trust, enhance communication, and enhance leadership at every level of the practice. By shifting the mindset around performance evaluations, veterinary teams can transform a process that is often dreaded into a tool that inspires confidence, accountability, and long-term success. #VeterinaryPodcast #VetMed #VetTechLife #ClinicCulture #ClientCommunication #PracticeManagement #HealthyWorkplace #VetWellbeing #RespectVetTeams
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    27 m
  • Should You Fire That Client? The Veterinary Debate Over Client Bad Behavior

    Should You Fire That Client? The Veterinary Debate Over Client Bad Behavior
    Sep 17 2025
    Every veterinary team has faced it: a client gets angry, raises their voice, and everyone wonders whether or not we should fire them. In this week’s episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, unpack one of the most difficult decisions veterinary professionals face: when to dismiss a client and when to repair the relationship. Using a real-life scenario, our hosts explore a situation where a client waited over an hour, understandably became upset, and complained, but didn’t threaten or use abusive language. When the client voiced their frustration, the team’s immediate response was, “Let’s fire them.” Dr. Ward and Beckie discuss why this reaction is becoming more common post-COVID and how practices can avoid over-firing by improving communication, scheduling systems, and team resilience. Listeners will learn practical strategies like: * Distinguishing understandable frustration vs. true abuse. * Using empathy-driven scripts to de-escalate tense situations. * Scheduling tactics, including reserving 10–25% of slots for urgent care. * Coaching CSRs to handle conflict without escalating to dismissal. If your team has ever debated whether to fire a client after a bad interaction, this episode offers a thoughtful framework for protecting your staff, your clinic’s reputation, and the client relationships that matter most. #VeterinaryPodcast #VetMed #VeterinaryProfession #VetTechLife #VetClinicLife #VeterinaryMedicine #VeterinaryCommunity #ClinicCulture #VeterinaryLeadership #TeamCommunication #PracticeManagement #ClientCommunication #VetTeamwork
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    24 m