
The Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast
Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, have co-hosted their award-winning weekly veterinary podcast since 2016. Each week, they “tackle the toughest topics in veterinary medicine,” highlighting controversial issues and trending news, introducing veterinary key opinion leaders and provocateurs, and offering solutions to the myriad challenges facing the veterinary profession.
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Hot Topics from Austin: Ethical Debates at the AVMA Convention
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.
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.