National Veterinary Technician Week
The third week of October (this past week!) wass National Veterinarian Technician Week. Started by the American Veterinary Medical Association in 1993, the week commemorates the vital and professional role veterinary technicians play in diagnosing, treating and caring for animals.
We’ve asked our Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVT) to share with us what is the best part of the job and what is something that public might not know about their work. Read on to learn more about the profession and what makes our veterinary team so special!
Amanda has spent her entire career in veterinary medicine. She’s been an LVT for 17 years and has been at AWS since 2019.
My favorite thing about being a vet tech is that I get to help so many animals in so many different ways from helping to provide annual wellness care to providing specialized care that allows me to utilize all of my skills. One thing the public may not know about being a licensed vet tech is that it requires a lot of schooling and you can earn up to a Bachelors degree (which is what I have) and you can even specialize and earn a vet tech specialty (or VTS) in areas such as nutrition, emergency and critical care, exotics and more.”
Peyton has been with AWS for two years and just this summer passed her boards to become a licensed veterinary technician.
My favorite part about being a vet technician is knowing that I am helping every pet that comes in. We are the voice they don’t have. Something that the public doesn’t know is that a vet tech does many things including: monitor anesthesia, take x-rays, draw blood, run lab samples, prep for surgery. There is a lot more to it that the public doesn’t see. They only see us assisting the doctor during their pet’s exam.”
Carolyn became a licensed veterinary technician and joined the AWS Community Clinic in 2018, when it opened.
I love being a part of the process with the vets and my coworkers of helping animals. I especially appreciate being able to work with shelter animals as well community pets and knowing our organization can help caregivers keep their pets in their homes. What the public might not know is that there is always something new to learn! While many foundational aspects of vet care stay the same, there are always new ideas and ways of doing things that challenge us to keep the best welfare of the animals in mind.”
Amber joined AWS’ Community Clinic as a veterinary assistant in 2019 and because a licensed veterinary technician in 2021.
My favorite thing about being a vet tech is seeing all the animals that come in needing veterinary care and being an integral part of them leaving feeling better than they came in. I don’t think the public knows how hands on the vet techs are with their animal’s care. From filling medication’s to cleaning their kennels, providing gentle restraint during exams and treatments, showing each animal the same love they would receive at home and much more!”
Dottie has 25 years of experience in veterinary medicine and joined AWS as a licensed veterinary technician part-time earlier this year.
My favorite two things about being a licensed veterinary technician are trying to make each pet’s vet visit as stress free as possible and in the operating room, monitoring anesthesia. One thing the public might not know about this career is that we do a lot of math! From dispensing medication to monitoring anesthesia, like I mentioned before, math is a regular part of our job!”
It’s not just our licensed veterinary technicians we celebrate this week.
AWS’ Community Veterinary Clinic could not operate without the work and dedication of all our Clinic staff, including veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and administrative staff. We want to honor their hard work and thank each of them for their passion, professionalism, and proficiency. They help us achieve our mission of keeping pets happy, healthy, and at home with their families! THANK YOU!
