Why “Love Languages” Aren’t a Workplace Strategy

Why “Love Languages” Aren’t a Workplace Strategy

When was the last time you felt truly appreciated at work? This week on the Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, are joined by Josh “Mexico Joe” Vaisman, MAPPCP (PgD), CCFP, Lead Positive Change Agent, author of Lead to Thrive: The Science of Crafting a Positive Veterinary Culture, and founder of the Flourish Academy. Together, they ask whether veterinary medicine took the “love languages” idea too far in workplace culture. Not because appreciation doesn’t matter, but because a survey, checklist, or favorite “language” can’t replace real human connection. Josh explains what recent research suggests about love languages, why appreciation has to be personal and situational, and how small, consistent actions often matter more than big gestures. From noticing when a teammate is overwhelmed, to saying thank you with impact, to repairing after conflict, this episode offers a more practical way to help veterinary teams feel seen, valued, and needed. Because appreciation isn’t a box to check. It’s a relationship to build.

Pride Month Is a Start. Allyship Is Year-Round.

Pride Month gives veterinary teams a chance to celebrate LGBTQ+ colleagues and clients, but real allyship has to continue long after June. This week, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, talk with Stephanie Goss, CEO of PrideVMC, about how veterinary practices can move beyond rainbow stickers and build support into everyday clinic culture. Stephanie shares her path to and through veterinary medicine, the work of PrideVMC, and why visibility, community, mentorship, and leadership opportunities matter for LGBTQ+ veterinary professionals. The conversation focuses on practical steps every clinic can take: normalizing pronouns without forcing anyone to disclose, reviewing forms for assumptions about gender and family structure, practicing respectful introductions, and creating a workplace where people feel safe speaking up when something goes wrong. This episode is for veterinarians, technicians, CSRs, managers, and practice owners who want to show up better. Allyship doesn’t have to be perfect. It does have to be consistent, respectful, and year-round. Links: Allyship Resources: https://pridevmc.org/allyship-resources/ Gender Diversity Guide: https://pridevmc.org/gender-diversity-guide/ Gender Identity Bill of Rights: https://gibor.pridevmc.org/ Virtual First Aid Kit: https://pridevmc.org/firstaid/ #VeterinaryMedicine #VetMed #PrideVMC #LGBTQVetMed #VeterinaryLeadership

America’s 250th Means More Booms, More Noise, and More Vet Med Prep

America’s 250th birthday is not shaping up to be a typical one-night July 4th celebration. With fireworks and community events expected to stretch across July 3, 4, and 5 (and expect some noise even earlier), Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, are urging veterinary teams to prepare now for an extra-long, extra-loud holiday weekend. This episode focuses on what clinics can do before the booms begin: check medication inventory, reach out to clients early about noise-aversion plans, remind pet owners not to wait until the last minute, and prepare for closed clinics, overwhelmed ERs, and staffing challenges. Ernie and Beckie also discuss holiday risks beyond fireworks, including lost pets, outdated microchip information, travel stress, barbecue hazards, cannabis exposure, and pets in unfamiliar vacation environments. It’s a timely reminder that this year’s July 4th isn’t just July 4, and vet teams can help clients, patients, and colleagues avoid preventable chaos. #VeterinaryMedicine #VetMed #VetTechLife #FireworksSafety #July4thPetSafety

Does Veterinary Medicine Have an Identity Crisis?

What does it mean to be a veterinarian, a credentialed veterinary technician, an assistant, or a new role entering the clinical space? In this episode, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, dig into veterinary medicine’s identity problem: how comparisons to human medicine, unclear titles, internal hierarchies, and emerging roles like Colorado’s veterinary professional associate (VPA) can shape how teams see themselves and each other. They talk candidly about why “more than” or “less than” language can create competition rather than confidence, how that trickles down through the clinic, and why role clarity matters for morale, collaboration, and long-term career satisfaction. This conversation is especially relevant for veterinarians, vet techs, assistants, practice managers, and anyone navigating scope-of-practice debates or changing team structures. Ernie and Beckie make the case for being proud of your role without needing to compare it to someone else’s, and for building clinic cultures where every team member understands their value. #VeterinaryMedicine#VetMed#VetTechLife#VeterinaryTeams#VetMedLeadership

The Veterinary Urgent Care Gap We Can’t Ignore

After-hours and urgent care have changed dramatically in veterinary medicine, but the system still has serious gaps. In this episode, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, look at what happens when pet owners need help after hours, and there’s nowhere realistic to send them. The conversation starts with the old model of pagers, late-night calls, and general practices carrying emergency responsibility. Then it moves into today’s urgent care boom, the difference between true urgent care and walk-in sick visits, and the strain this puts on veterinary teams. But this episode also widens the lens beyond dogs and cats. Horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, birds, and other companion animals are often left with even fewer options, especially when emergencies happen outside normal clinic hours. Ernie and Beckie talk honestly about sustainability, affordability, team burnout, and why expanding care may be both a challenge and an opportunity for the profession. #VeterinaryMedicine #VetMed #VeterinaryUrgentCare #AfterHoursVetCare #VeterinaryViewfinder