Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast

Latest Episodes:

2019 SAVMA Teaching Excellence Award Winner Dr Kristen Messenger Jun 05, 2019

Show notes

This week we’re honored to be joined by the 2019 SAVMA Teaching Excellence Award Winner Kristen Messenger, DVM, PhD, DACVAA, DACVCP. Dr. Messenger is currently a pharmacology professor at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In this high-energy conversation, Kristen shares her own journey to becoming a veterinarian, the biggest challenges her students are facing, and the ways she’s working to improve the next generation of veterinarians. From student debt to social media, this is a conversation for any Viewfinder who wants to become a veterinarian, are currently in veterinary school, or have already graduated. It’s that good! Dr. Messenger also co-hosts a podcast for her students, and you can hear a few samples here: Season 1, Episode 9: Special guest, former veterinary student, Dr. George Shaaf visits the podcast and talks about student perspectives and anesthetic risk; we talk about special laryngeal mask airway devices (V-gels). https://cvm.online.ncsu.edu/online/FileServer/Presentation/bb3fbd604e4e4ce0a0b28c1135ec95f91d/25e0dfd8-7366-491c-b489-e0a87076b1c8.mp3?FeedId=5acf0874e965468d9989398545ea07fb17

Big Brother is Watching your Veterinary Clinic: Have Surveillance Cameras Gone Too Far? May 22, 2019

Show notes

This week we explore the role of surveillance cameras in the veterinary workplace. Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT ponder the ways surveillance cameras can be used for good and how their usage may go terribly wrong if we’re not careful. The Viewfinders cover how cameras can be used for staff training, protecting against false accusations from clients, increasing patient care and client service, adding services, and protection from theft. What are your thoughts on Big Brother watching YOU? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes! Thank you for listening!

Follow your Dreams with Sailing Veterinarian Dr. Sheridan Lathe May 15, 2019

Show notes

How would you like to sail the Caribbean helping island animals? This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT are joined by an Australian veterinarian doing it! Dr. Sheridan Lathe is sailing her 37-foot boat, “Chuffed,” island-to-island helping dogs, cats, livestock, and exotic animals along the way. Her popular Youtube channel, Vet Tails’ Sailing Chuffed, chronicles her adventures. We talk with her about her childhood in Australia, practicing at wildlife sanctuaries, her travels in China working with Asiatic bears, and how she followed her dreams aboard a floating veterinary clinic in the Caribbean. Ernie asks her what impact U.S. veterinary student debt plays in pursuing dreams, and Beckie inquires about how to follow your dreams without the sailboat. This is an exciting and interesting glimpse into an alternative veterinary pathway! Dr. Lathe’s links: Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcDSkw35FYqsFgMqoZjt7zQ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vet.tails_sailing.chuffed/ Website: https://www.vettails.com/

Walmart Announces Online Pet Pharmacy and 100 Veterinary Clinics May 08, 2019

Show notes

This week Walmart announced it was launching an online pet pharmacy, WalmartPetRx.com, and plans to open 100 in-store veterinary clinics over the next 12 months. This week Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT talk with Julie Legred, CVT about what this means for veterinarians and veterinary technicians, pet owners, and pet retailers. The trio offer insights on how independently-owned clinics can learn from Walmart, and why they see this as a win-win for the veterinary profession and U.S. pet owners. Dr. Ward speculates on the timing of this announcement from Walmart and how it may affect the impending Chewy.com IPO. To contact Julie or Beckie about this project and other career opportunities, email them at talent@veterinaryadvancements.com Don’t forget to subscribe and give us a review on iTunes!

Life Advice for Veterinary Professionals with Dr. Amy Mohl May 01, 2019

Show notes

This is one of those episodes we wish EVERYONE could hear! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT are joined by their dear friend, Dr. Amy Mohl, as they discuss her story within the framework of following your passions, overcoming challenges, and finding happiness. This is an episode we hope you enjoy, find inspiration in, and share with your friends, regardless of whether or not they’re in the veterinary profession. This one goes in the time capsule for sure! Let us know what you think! If you like this episode or want to let your VetViewfinder Flag fly, give us a 5-star review over on iTunes!! C’mon, Viewfinders, we NEED YOU!!

California Replaces State RVT Exam with VTNE - What does this mean for RVTs, DVMs, and More! Apr 24, 2019

Show notes

This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor discuss the breaking news that California RVTs have abolished the previously-required California RVT exam in favor of the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam). The team discusses what this means, why this (or potentially isn’t) a sign of professional progress, and what the implications for veterinarians and the veterinary profession may be. They also discuss license reciprocity, examination standards, and Dr. Ward shares a story he was recently told by a dentist who encountered a specific, and almost disastrous, hiring situation that reveals a shortcoming in the current licensing system. Thanks again for listening and please leave us a review on iTunes and share with your friends! We love talking to you every Wednesday!

Banning Pugs & Brachycephalic Breeds: Where Should Breed Specific Legislation End? Apr 17, 2019

Show notes

Should pugs be banned? What about French bulldogs, English (or British) Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus? This week host veterinarians Drs. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor weigh in on the ongoing UK push to ban certain breeds. What are the reasons, who are the folks leading the conversation, and what are the proposed solutions? This is a lively review of the current state of breed restrictions along with some of the trio’s own potential solutions. This episode also marks Cyndie’s last podcast with the team after nearly 2.5 years! Cyndie’s family is growing and she needs to take more time to be with her (almost) new child. THANK YOU Cyndie for your enthusiasm and insight! We’ll miss you! And please take a few seconds to give us a review on iTunes! It means so much to hear from you and fuels our efforts here at the Viewfinder to continue tackling the toughest topics in veterinary medicine! See you every Wednesday morning!

Veterinary Support Staff Unleashed Facebook Group & Transitioning into Management Roles Apr 10, 2019

Show notes

This week we're excited to sit down with the licensed veterinary technician, Jade Velasquez, who started the popular Facebook group, Veterinary Support Staff Unleashed. In addition to her work as an LVT and Facebook group administrator, Jade has recently transitioned into practice management. Host veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor explore the unique way Jade became a licensed veterinary technician, what her greatest challenges and biggest surprises were as she started managing a busy veterinary clinic, and what her goals are with Veterinary Support Staff Unleashed. This is an energetic conversation with loads of practical tips and tricks! Find out Jade, Beckie, and Dr. Ward's favorite time management tools, which personality test they prefer for staff (and themselves), and what the biggest support staff complaints and issues keep popping up on Jade's Facebook group. Don't forget to subscribe and please give us a review on iTunes!

2+2 Vet School Programs Equal Lots of Questions Apr 03, 2019

Show notes

This week we discuss a little known, but rapidly expanding, veterinary medical school program called “2+2.” Host veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor try to make sense of the pro’s and con’s of a program that allows veterinary medical school; students who live in a state without a veterinary school to complete their first two years of veterinary school on their home college campus. Confused? We help untangle the taxpayer contributions, who gets to pay in-state tuition, student obligations, and what impact these sorts of programs may ultimately have on the veterinary profession. There are no easy answers, and our hosts quickly discover that “2+2” may not add up to everything they expected. Thanks Viewfinders for your continued support! If you haven’t yet, please leave us a quick review in iTunes. Talk to you again every Wednesday! Links: "2+2 programs add up - Veterinary colleges partner with other universities to educate more students across state lines" https://www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/Pages/190415a.aspx "SDSU, Minnesota working on collaborative program in rural veterinary medical education" https://www.sdstate.edu/news/2018/12/sdsu-minnesota-working-collaborative-program-rural-veterinary-medical-education "VETERINARY MEDICINE PROGRAM University of Alaska Fairbanks" https://www.uaf.edu/vmed/about-us/faqs/#2plus2

Female Veterinary Entrepreneurs, Networking, and Wine? Mar 27, 2019

Show notes

This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT are joined by one of the veterinary industry’s longtime female leaders and entrepreneurs, Brenda Andresen. Brenda shares her personal story, what she sees as some of the most pressing challenges faced by veterinary professionals today, and her latest project, The Bridge Club. Brenda also weighs in on the Veterinary Nurse Initiative (VNI), telemedicine, and how professional women can support, instead of competing against, each other. The Bridge Club website: https://thebridgeclub.com/ Thanks, Viewfinders for your continued support! If you haven’t, please leave us a quick review in iTunes. Talk to you again every Wednesday!

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