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Ernie Ward

Ernie Ward

DVM, CVFT

About the Author

Opening Shots columnist Dr. Ernie Ward is an award-winning veterinarian, impact entrepreneur, book author and media personality. When he’s not with family or pet patients, Dr. Ward can be found contemplating solutions during endurance athletics and meditation and on his weekly podcast, “Veterinary Viewfinder.” Learn more at drernieward.com

 

If you have a question about practice life, personal well-being, leadership or veterinary careers, email openingshotstvb@gmail.com

Written By This Author

Personal Wellness

Sick Days, Pay Raises and Physical Health

Opening Shots columnist Dr. Ernie Ward answers your questions.

Practice Management

Quitting a Job, Yelling at Staff and Exam Fees

Opening Shots columnist Dr.

Practice Management

Ex-Owners, Insubordination and Rising Costs

Opening Shots columnist Dr.

Innovation/Technology

Basepaws Screening Tools

Early detection methods that improve pet health outcomes

Personal Wellness

DVM Salaries, Self-Care and Calling in Sick

Opening Shots columnist Dr.

Client Communication

How to Not Talk Like a Salesperson

To achieve client buy-in around pet food, start with the four P’s: permission, problem, practice and philosophy.

Client Communication

How to Expand the Pet Food Conversation

If you want to risk having an argument these days, ask people what they feed their pets.

Practice Management

Firings, Hirings and Broken Equipment

Don’t inadvertently escalate a situation by matching negative energy. Instead, remain compassionate, tempered and professional.

Personal Wellness

Workaholics, Responsibilities and Doctor Duties

How do you handle a veterinarian who works too much? What to do about attitude problems? Opening Shots columnist Dr. Ernie Ward answers your questions.

Client Communication

Consistency Creates Credibility

When applied to pet nutrition, consistent messages create credibility and promote compliance.

Practice Management

Postcards, One-Star Reviews and Active Clients

Opening Shots columnist Dr. Ernie Ward answers your questions.

Practice Management

Shift Work, Medical Errors and Drop-Offs

Opening Shots columnist Dr. Ernie Ward answers your questions.

Personal Wellness

Bad Employees, Rude Clients and Restorative Sleep

Sometimes, the best solution is to jettison problem employees.

Finance

Paycheck Chatter and the Need for Time Off

Team members tend to know each other’s pay, particularly within their job role.

Finance

Hunger Pangs, Bad Behavior and Equipment Envy

Whenever workplaces consciously keep employees who are bad for business, the objective is to find a job that reduces their damage.

Client Communication

Tattoos, Stress and Staff Conflict

More veterinary professionals are rejecting staff conflict as unavoidable and demanding better leadership and working conditions.

Practice Management

Constructive Criticism, Poor Communication and More

Opening Shots columnist Dr. Ernie Ward answers your questions.

Practice Management

Staff Strife, Instagram Envy and More

Staff strife, Instagram envy, obese pets and more. Opening Shots columnist Dr. Ernie Ward answers your questions.

Patient Care

Food for Thought

Therapeutic diets are a great way to treat pet obesity. Veterinary teams need to remember the three keys: patience, flexibility and creativity.

Innovation/Technology

In the internet we trust

Know how to positively address negative online comments.

Pet Insurance

How pet insurance may save your career

Pet insurance can’t eliminate every problem, but it can help you avoid some of them.

Client Communication

3 Common Communication Blunders

Bad body language and a poor choice of words can damage a client relationship for veterinarians.

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