Dr. Ernie Ward is a rock star, and we don’t mean just a veterinary rock star, a real rock star. He and three others were The Violets- a 90’s alternative college band. Just like the B52’s and R.E.M., The Violets were born in Athens, Georgia. At the time, Dr. Ernie was pursuing his DVM at UGA. 

Starting at the bottom playing club gigs and parties, the quartet rose steadily through the ranks and made the leap from garage band to fledgling rock stars when their song “I hate the Grateful Dead” found its way to Rolling Stone’s top college songs in 1991.   Although the Violets disbanded soon after,  the band lives on through Spotify and other streaming platforms. Crisis Discs are planning a release of a The Violet’s last recording session on April 18th, in honor of Record Store Day.

Like a lot of rock stars, Dr. Ernie is also a visionary. As a veterinarian, he was one of the first to warn our profession about the dangers of pet obesity.  He founded Association for Pet Obesity Prevention 2005 and in 2010, he followed up with the book,  Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs Are Getting Fatter.   

And he was right.  Ten years later, Banfield’s Veterinary Emerging Topics Report  revealed that 51% of the 1.9 million adult dogs seen at their more than 1,000 hospitals nationwide in 2018 were overweight. Sadly, the report also found that than 10% of those pets successfully lose weight following diagnosis, and of those that do, roughly 40% resume their overweight status within 12 months.

Now Dr. Ernie is on a mission to make pet food healthier, sustainable, and less cruel.  He is the Chief Veterinary Officer of Wild Earth, a start-up dog food company that created a nutritionally complete plant based pet food, using a fungi source of protein.  He is also the co-author of Clean Pet Food Revolution, a look at the devastating effect that the food industry has on the environment and climate change. 

We caught up with Dr. Ernie to learn more::

If I wasn’t a veterinarian what would I be:

I’ve always considered myself a writer, having published several books and songs. Beginning in childhood, I’ve felt compelled to share my thoughts, experiences, and feelings through writing. In an alternate universe, I’m pretty sure there’s “Ernie the struggling poet-philosopher” or “Ernie the struggling songwriter!” 

But, if I was forced to pick another profession, I’d have to say pediatrics because I love working with children and parents. In fact, my work in pet obesity has allowed me to collaborate with childhood obesity experts and organizations.    

Best career advice I received:

I carry two bits of advice my late father taught me with me at all times.

Communication:

“T and L, Ernie. Think and Listen.” I can’t tell you how many times my father would calm me down during my angsty adolescence by repeating, “T and L, Ernie. T and L.” This gentle reminder was an abbreviation from a poster included in a cassette tape set of Earl Nightengale’s “Lead the Field” he gave me when I was very young. The poster, which I still have hanging in my office today, reads, “Direct your thoughts. Control your emotions. Ordain your destiny.” I credit that ethos with much of my success as a veterinarian, husband, father, and human being. “T and L” has become a mantra I fall back on during stressful times.   

Running your own business:

“Run your business like you’re trying to sell your business.” My father was an old-school entrepreneur; I’m grateful to have learned from the best. This bit of advice taught me to run a business profitably, efficiently and primed for growth at all times. Too many business owners fail to focus on business fundamentals until economic crises occur or they’re ready to sell. Sadly, that means years, sometimes decades, of business or professional underperformance, reduced earnings, and decreased profits. 

Three qualities that got me where I am today

Risk-taking – My wife and soul-mate, Laura, and I have always been willing to challenge ourselves and take calculated risks when it mattered most. 

Interpersonal communications - being able to articulate your ideas, inspire and motivate others, and express empathy - is the foundation of my success. Some of these skills I was born with, while others I learned or enhanced through structured learning and training. 

Loyalty - you don’t hear many entrepreneurs talk about loyalty much these days. To me, loyalty means commitment, persistence, and unwavering belief in something. I’m intensely loyal to the veterinary profession, my family and friends, my health and personal values, and my clients. As a business owner and entrepreneur, I’ve found the compliment I’m most proud of is “he’s got your back no matter what” from team members and colleagues. And it’s true.   

Most agonizing career decision I ever made 

Back in 2013, I started a mobile veterinary business called “Fetch Vet” with my brother and two business colleagues. It was a great opportunity for veterinarians to own their own practice, and we handled support staff and administrative services for a flat fee instead of paying the veterinarian a percentage of the transaction or taking a portion of the invoice. It was really great for veterinarians desiring flexibility, autonomy, and more time with patients. We spent over a year developing the software, analyzing markets, and so forth. When we began interviewing veterinarians for a pilot in the Chicago area, we quickly realized veterinarians at the time weren’t interested in owning their own business, despite Fetch Vet handling all the headaches of the business owner. After a couple of months, we decided we were too early to market, a problem I’ve encountered most of my career. I still believe mobile veterinary services are an essential element of creating greater access and utility to professional care for the next generation of pet parents.    

How it felt becoming my own boss: 

I started my first clinic 14 months after graduating from veterinary school. The question for me was never “if I’d own a clinic” but “how soon?” I’m fiercely independent and willing to take risks, so being my own boss was a natural fit for me. Plus, I grew up with a father who exemplified the benefits and challenges of business ownership, so I knew what to expect. Plus, I’m nearly full-blooded Irish, so there’s that! I live by the words of the great Irish writer Samuel Beckett: “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”

Starting my first clinic was the easiest career decision I ever made. I had a driven, intelligent, and strong partner and wife, absolutely no money, and a head full of ideas on how a veterinary clinic could be better. I was 26. I was ready. No hesitation.  Although we didn’t have kids at the time, our two daughters basically grew up in the practice.

How I clear my head after a stressful day

I discovered ultra-endurance sports when I turned 30. Ironman triathlon probably saved my health, expanded my creativity, and extended my career. Pushing myself far outside my comfort zones both physically and emotionally forged strength I didn’t imagine possible. Exercise, meditation, even daily infrared sauna, and my strict health regimen are rooted in my pursuit of Ironman. Nothing destresses me more than daily exercise, my gratitude practice, and meditation. My other secret to maintaining a positive outlook is having a loving and nurturing wife, Laura. Social connections are vital to mental health, and Laura is my emotional bedrock.       

Advice for my younger self

Take even more chances. Be bolder. Care less about what others think of you.  

What human qualities do you most admire? 

Bold creativity. I’ve shared in my lectures that I’ve lived my life in pursuit of the goal to conjure a novel thought. An idea that’s never been considered. With about 8 billion humans alive now and 108 billion throughout history, coming up with something truly new has proven to be quite a challenge! I think that’s what I enjoy creating music and prose so much; it offers unique opportunities for novelty. I also admire deep conversationalists, respectful debates, and appreciation for our universal existence.  

 Follow Dr. Ernie on Instagram and Twitter @DrErnieWard and  check out his Off Label Veterinary News show onYoutube