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  • "Don’t Do It”? The Danger of Gatekeeping the Veterinary Profession, and Why It’s Time to Stop

    "Don’t Do It”? The Danger of Gatekeeping the Veterinary Profession, and Why It’s Time to Stop
    2025/08/06
    Too many aspiring veterinary professionals are met with a troubling response: “Don’t do it.” In this episode, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, take a hard look at how that knee-jerk negativity, often voiced by those still in the field, may be harming the future of veterinary medicine. With decades of combined experience, Dr. Ward and Beckie reflect on their own paths and push back against the cynicism that’s become all too common in comment sections and break rooms alike. They discuss how burnout, poor clinic culture, and a lack of autonomy can fuel dissatisfaction, and how mentorship, perspective, and opportunity can reignite passion. This episode challenges us to reconsider who we listen to, what messages we share, and how, as a profession, we might be deterring incredible talent. Do we hate our profession, or just our current job or role? And if we love the profession, why aren't we louder about it? Whether you're a seasoned veterinarian, a burned-out veterinary technician, or a curious student, this conversation is a call to stop gatekeeping and start supporting.
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    31 分
  • Regulation Without Representation? Why Credentialed Vet Techs Need Seats on State Veterinary Boards

    Regulation Without Representation? Why Credentialed Vet Techs Need Seats on State Veterinary Boards
    2025/07/30
    Credentialed veterinary technicians are pillars of modern veterinary care, but in most U.S. states, they’re excluded from the very boards that govern their profession. This week on The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, break down why this lack of representation is not just outdated, it’s dangerous for workforce development, public health, and the long-term sustainability of veterinary medicine. Beckie shares that only 20 U.S. states have even one credentialed technician on their state veterinary medical board, and even then, some are not voting members. She highlights how token roles can feel more performative than powerful, contributing to burnout, disillusionment, and underutilization of skilled professionals. Beckie draws attention to the legal implications, invoking precedents such as Reynolds v. Sims to question whether boards lacking proportional representation may be skating on thin constitutional ground. Together, our hosts challenge the assumption that only veterinarians should hold regulatory authority and make a compelling case for multidisciplinary governance that mirrors the evolution of healthcare in human medicine and nursing. This episode offers a blueprint for a more equitable and effective future, one where credentialed veterinary technicians have real influence, veterinary boards are more accountable, and the entire profession benefits from smarter, more inclusive leadership.
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    31 分
  • Who’s Protecting Vet Assistants? The Push for Credentialing, and the Oversight Gap

    Who’s Protecting Vet Assistants? The Push for Credentialing, and the Oversight Gap
    2025/07/23
    As some states roll out veterinary assistant credentialing programs, a critical question emerges: Who’s actually overseeing these initiatives, what are their future goals, and are they helping or hurting the profession? In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, examine the growing movement to credential veterinary assistants without consistent regulatory oversight, clear practice act integration, or protections for the assistants themselves. Focusing on emerging programs in states like Texas, Ward and Mossor question whether we're building sustainable career pathways or setting assistants up for burnout and backlash. Are financial incentives for third-party training programs taking priority over educational quality and long-term workforce needs? And how do these new assistant titles intersect (or conflict) with existing RVT, LVT, and CVT credentials? This conversation challenges veterinary professionals, educators, and policymakers to consider what genuine credentialing should entail: regulated, inclusive, and grounded in a framework that supports the entire team. Without structure and oversight, well-meaning reforms can deepen division, confuse the public, and erode trust within clinics. If you care about career advancement, team cohesion, and the future of veterinary support staff, this is a conversation you can’t afford to ignore.
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    26 分
  • You Talk Too Much: What Really Happens When Vet Techs Speak Up

    You Talk Too Much: What Really Happens When Vet Techs Speak Up
    2025/07/17
    A technician catches a medication error and speaks up, only to be told later, “You talk too much.” In this powerful episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, confront one of the most damaging cultural issues in veterinary medicine: punishing staff for doing the right thing. The conversation goes beyond this single story to tackle the widespread discomfort around giving and receiving feedback in veterinary clinics. What happens when your workplace isn't psychologically safe? How do we unintentionally silence the very voices that protect patients and improve care? Ward and Mossor dive into what it means to foster a culture of safety, where feedback is seen as a strength, not a threat. They offer practical communication tips, discuss system-based error prevention strategies, and challenge clinic leaders to create environments where speaking up is not only allowed but also expected. This isn’t just about error prevention; it’s about protecting your team, your patients, and your practice culture from avoidable harm. If you're a veterinary professional who's ever felt dismissed, discouraged, or afraid to speak up, this episode is your validation and your call to action.
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    23 分
  • Personal Life, Public Fallout: How Veterinary Clinics Can Prepare for Online Scandals

    Personal Life, Public Fallout: How Veterinary Clinics Can Prepare for Online Scandals
    2025/07/09
    What if one of your employees goes viral on TikTok... for all the wrong reasons? This week on The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, dive into a modern dilemma facing every veterinary clinic: what happens when an employee’s personal behavior triggers public outrage, and suddenly your phones are blowing up with angry calls? Inspired by a real-world Fourth of July viral incident (yes, involving antipasto salad), Ward and Mossor explore how personal conduct outside of work is increasingly spilling into the professional arena. They discuss the legal, ethical, and emotional chaos that can follow, and how practice managers and clinic owners can proactively prepare for it. This conversation goes far beyond animal-related controversies. From racist remarks and political opinions to OnlyFans accounts and internet mob justice, today’s episode tackles the complex intersection of social media, privacy, team culture, and mental health. You’ll hear practical advice for building internal response plans, supporting affected staff, protecting your clinic’s reputation, and knowing when it’s time to call an attorney. Because in 2025, being unprepared isn’t just naïve, it could be dangerous.
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    25 分
  • Scared Dogs, Stressed Clients, and Missed Revenue: Why Clinics Still Aren’t Ready for July 4th

    Scared Dogs, Stressed Clients, and Missed Revenue: Why Clinics Still Aren’t Ready for July 4th
    2025/07/02
    Fireworks. Travel. Noise. Every July 4th, veterinary teams face a predictable surge of panicked pets, frazzled clients, and last-minute sedation requests. So why are so many clinics still reacting instead of preparing? This week on The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, unpack how veterinary clinics can turn this annual headache into an opportunity to deliver better care and boost revenue. From leveraging your PIMS to send targeted alerts about noise aversion and vaccine needs, to rethinking social media as part of a layered communication strategy, they outline the tools and tactics that practices already have but rarely use. They also explore underutilized solutions, such as preemptive outreach to anxious pet owners, virtual care referrals, technician-led VCPR visits, and offering in-clinic support during peak noise periods. As Dr. Ward puts it, you’ll pay for it on the front end or the back. But you’ll pay if you don’t prepare and prevent. Whether it’s the 4th of July, New Year’s Eve, or beach-season boarding, this episode is a playbook for staying ahead of preventable emergencies, protecting your staff’s sanity, and proving your clinic’s value before the fireworks start.
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    27 分
  • The Hidden Cost of Undervaluing Vet Techs: Burnout, Turnover, and a Profession at Risk

    The Hidden Cost of Undervaluing Vet Techs: Burnout, Turnover, and a Profession at Risk
    2025/06/25
    What happens when veterinary technicians are overworked, underpaid, and still fighting for recognition? The 2024 NAVTA Demographic Survey reveals the harsh reality, and this week on The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, unpack what it all means for the future of veterinary medicine. Despite their essential role, most vet techs still earn significantly less than comparable healthcare professionals. Worse, they’re burning out fast. Many are working second (or even third) jobs to make ends meet. Only 8% report being “extremely satisfied” with their current role, and more than half are actively considering leaving the profession within the next five years. Dr. Ward and Beckie explore how low wages, chronic underutilization, and the continued lack of legal title protection are driving professionals out of the field. They break down the downstream impact on patient care, clinic morale, and team dynamics, and challenge veterinary leaders to stop ignoring the growing crisis. This episode isn’t just about paychecks—it’s about purpose, protection, and survival. If we don’t act now to support our veterinary technicians, we risk losing the very backbone of our clinics. Read the NAVTA Report here: https://navta.net/news/navtas-2024-demographic-survey-reveals-strong-feelings-on-title-protection-income-role-clarity-and-wellness/ #VetTechLife #VeterinaryTechnician #VetMed #VeterinaryMedicine #VetTechBurnout #SupportVetTechs #ProtectTheTitle #CredentialedNotConfused #VetTechPride #VetTechStrong #WorkforceWellness #VeterinaryLeadership #TitleProtection #VetMentalHealth #BurnoutAwareness
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    32 分
  • Are Vet Techs Nurses? Why the Internet Erupted—and What the Real Debate Is About

    Are Vet Techs Nurses? Why the Internet Erupted—and What the Real Debate Is About
    2025/06/18
    A viral video from a popular “human nurse” influencer asking if veterinary technicians are “nurses” recently sparked a social media firestorm, but the outrage may be missing the real issue. In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, go beyond the headlines to explore what’s truly at stake in the “vet nurse” debate: professional identity, title protection, and the public’s understanding of veterinary medical roles. While thousands weighed in online, some supporting the comparison, others fiercely rejecting it, Ward and Mossor ask whether these internet debates are distracting from the bigger, systemic problem: the lack of legally protected titles for credentialed veterinary technicians in many U.S. states. They explore the emotional responses from both veterinary and human healthcare communities, examine the practical implications of inconsistent terminology, and call for stronger advocacy, unity, and legislative engagement. This episode challenges listeners to move past online outrage and toward meaningful real-world change. If you’ve ever wondered why words like “veterinary technician,” “nurse,” and “assistant” matter so much, or what we can do to protect and elevate our profession, this conversation is a must-listen. As Beckie suggests, skip watching this nurse influencer’s videos and join NAVTA and contact your state veterinary medical Board to demand title protection for credentialed veterinary technicians. #VetTechLife #VeterinaryTechnician #VeterinaryMedicine #VetMed #VetTechProblems #VetTechPride #VetNurse #TitleProtection #CredentialedNotConfused #SupportVetTechs #ProtectTheTitle #VetTechAdvocate
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    31 分