2023 Pet Holidays and Veterinary Awareness Days
Veterinary Technician Week 2023
October 15 – 21, 2023
Veterinary Technician Week at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center is a week to recognize and celebrate the valuable contributions of Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs) to our hospital, the veterinary medicine profession, and society at large.
Veterinary technicians are crucial members of your pet’s healthcare team. They provide hands-on care for hospitalized patients, perform diagnostic testing, assist in surgical procedures, triage emergencies, monitor vital signs, ensure quality of care, and much more. They are the veterinarian’s right hand!
Veterinary technicians complete a two- or four-year program and must pass a licensing exam in the state where they work. Some LVTs go on to receive advanced degrees (VTS) in their chosen specialty.
Pearls of Wisdom
The theme for this year’s Vet Tech Week is “Pearls of Wisdom,” in honor of the 30th Anniversary of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). Read some pearls of wisdom from our AMC technician staff below!
Jenna, LVT, B.S. | Team Leader, Special Care Unit
- Always trust your gut, if you are concerned about a patient, it’s always best to alert services of your concerns no matter how small they may be.
- Less is more sometimes, when dealing with aggressive dogs. It is our job to make the patient feel as safe as possible.
- Teach whenever possible; teaching is a great way to learn.
Susan, LVT | Team Leader, Emergency & Critical Care
There are so many “pearls” I could share. I’d love to shout from the rooftops everything we do as licensed veterinary technicians so that all the public would know. However, if there’s one thing I’ve learned for sure, it’s that example is the best teacher. People don’t always listen, but they often watch. Let’s show them what we do instead of telling them. We can do this with our humility, demeanor, professionalism and kindness. Demonstrate that kindness not just to our pets but also to their owners, other staff/ team members and the DVM’s we work with. If we keep our eyes on our own plates and learn to be satisfied with the job that we have set before us, that will shine through to owners and staff alike. Joy begets joy, positivity begets positivity. Let’s be the example that the next person wants to see and imitate.
Dion, LVT | Director, Cardiology, Primary Care, Internal Medicine & Special Care Unit
What is the most valuable thing you have learned as a veterinary technician at AMC?
The most valuable thing I have learned is that we each play an important role, no contribution to patient care is a small contribution. Everything we do as AMC technicians is important and vital.
What “pearls of wisdom” would you share with a new technician joining AMC?
I would tell a new technician joining AMC to be humble and open to learning. Be open to a different way of patient care, don’t box yourself in.
What “pearls of wisdom” would you share with AMC clients about being a technician?
I would tell them all techs are licensed, they all went to an AVMA accredited school, and we all had to take state board to legally be allowed to do what we do. We know our stuff.
What would you want clients to know about your work?
We are emotionally invested in our profession; we wear lots of hats. It’s not just a job.
Feliza, LVT, VTS(ECC) | Clinical Director of Emergency & Critical Care and Radiology
What is the most valuable thing you have learned as a veterinary technician at AMC?
Resiliency.
What “pearls of wisdom” would you share with a new technician joining AMC?
I would tell a new technician at the AMC to let resiliency and compassion guide you. The journey I have taken to build my professional resilience while striving to help my colleagues build their own has been no easy task. It is this journey that has taught me the greatest lessons about being a compassionate leader. I entered veterinary medicine for the animals, and I stayed for the people. Veterinary medicine is filled with proverbial mountains to climb, I try to show compassion to my colleagues by always listening and sharing the pearls of wisdom I’ve gained from my mountain stories. I believe resilience is an essential attribute, and crucial to longevity and career satisfaction in veterinary medicine. In addition, don’t forget to be compassionate to yourself. We want you to stay here at the AMC and in the profession!
What “pearls of wisdom” would you share with AMC clients about being a technician?
Know your rights as a pet parent. You are encouraged to ask questions about the care your pet will receive. Building trust in the Pet parent, Veterinarian, and Veterinary Technician team allows for a less stressful experience for all parties involved.
What would you want clients to know about your work?
We are all proud of the role technicians play in keeping families together. We are there to hold your pets when you can’t be. We are there to cheer them on during their road to recovery. We often we are there in their final moments. We are resilient, we are nurses.
Xochitl, LVT | Emergency & Critical Care
What is the most valuable thing you have learned as a veterinary technician at AMC?
Patience.
What “pearls of wisdom” would you share with a new technician joining AMC?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Michelle, LVT | Emergency & Critical Care
What is the most valuable thing you have learned as a veterinary technician at AMC?
Efficiency.
What “pearls of wisdom” would you share with a new technician joining AMC?
Take things with a grain of salt. Especially when we are stressed, don’t take things personally. Our profession is hard- no matter what specialty you work in. Whether it is ER, GP, IM, Dentistry etc. Remember to breathe and shake it off. Tomorrow is a different day.
What “pearls of wisdom” would you share with AMC clients about being a technician?
Please show us compassion. We are trying our best to accommodate everyone as quickly as possible. And we are definitely not in it for the money.
What would you want clients to know about your work?
I care for your pet, regardless of the situation. We often treat them as of our own, we really are trying our best.
Amy, LVT | Team Leader, Emergency & Critical Care
What is the most valuable thing you have learned as a veterinary technician at AMC?
Be your own person. Everyone has a different style , find your way of doing things.
What “pearls of wisdom” would you share with a new technician joining AMC?
Don’t take anything personally, everything is a learning curve. We want you to succeed.
What “pearls of wisdom” would you share with AMC clients about being a technician?
We truly to the depths of our soul want the best outcome for your pet. We want them to be happy and healthy with you at home.
What would you want clients to know about your work?
We want them to understand it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, we deal with stressful situations. We do it because of our love of animals and their families.
Paloma, LVT | Emergency & Critical Care
What is the most valuable thing you have learned as a veterinary technician at AMC?
Patience.
What “pearls of wisdom” would you share with a new technician joining AMC?
Be patient, there are so many people that work here. Don’t judge based on your first interaction.
What “pearls of wisdom” would you share with AMC clients about being a technician?
Be empathetic. Sometimes we are stretched thin due to patient volume. But we DO care.
What would you want clients to know about your work?
I want clients to know how versatile and important we are to patient care. We do way more than just holding patients. We are a huge part of patient care, which includes working in diagnostic imaging, performing anesthesia, taking care of patients after surgery, treating patients in the ICU, stabilizing pets in the ER.
Ashley, LVT | Dentistry
What would you want clients to know about your work?
One thing I noticed about veterinary medicine is that we are all driven by passion and love – and we love what we do.
Kerry, LVT | Dentistry
What is the most valuable thing you have learned as a veterinary technician at AMC?
I have learned so many valuable things as a technician here at AMC. Not only have I learned the skills I need to be a good anesthetist and dental hygienist but I have also learned that we can’t do this job by ourselves. We as technicians haven’t taken on an easy role and we should all be there for each other. Ask for help when you need it and don’t forget to lend a hand when your teammate needs it too.
What “pearls of wisdom” would you share with a new technician joining AMC?
I would want new technicians to know that it is okay to ask for help. We understand because we had to ask for help when we were learning too!
What “pearls of wisdom” would you share with AMC clients about being a technician?
Our patients are our number one priority. We will do everything we can to make sure our patient’s best interests are kept in mind for each and every one of them.
What would you want clients to know about your work?
I would want clients to know that every patient that ends up in my hands is treated and cared for as if they were my own. I would want the same for my pets!
Lina, LVT | Surgery
What is the most valuable thing you have learned as a veterinary technician at AMC?
Being a Veterinarian Technician has been very challenging; but at the same time, very rewarding. We really truly love our job.
What “pearls of wisdom” would you share with a new technician joining AMC?
Be very open minded. Open minded in a sense of adjusting to different points of view anywhere from different approach of medicine from doctors, anesthesiologists, specialists surgeons, technicians and owners. Be flexible on bending your own beliefs and comfort skills to try to adjust to changing medicine and opinions. Agree to disagree. I learned that by being flexible like a breach, no matter how many strong storms and heavy traffic, I can withstand any adversity and be my very best for my patients.
What would you want clients to know about your work?
I would like the clients to know that I treat your patients like if they were all mine own pets. That I give them, not only the best medical treatment I can provide, but also a lot of love.
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