This week was Veterinary Technician Week - the one week each year that the veterinary profession chooses to honor those multitalented individuals that help us to help the world’s pets. Although we choose one week in October to honor them, we must acknowledge that there would be no such thing as modern veterinary medicine without the assistance of licensed veterinary technicians. They are the glue that holds every practice together.
The year 2020 has made this fact even more relevant due to the fact that we had to change the way we practice dramatically. The veterinary team had to redesign running our practice by taking work curbside; the technicians are taking the brunt of those curbside practice changes.
The talented technician team that I work with consists of eight of the most caring, talented, versatile, empathetic people that I know. Being a veterinary technician is not all about playing with kittens and cuddling puppies. We all love that part of the job, but much of their time is spent working with panicked stricken, unruly, ninety pound dogs that want nothing better than to avoid treatment or harm the technician that is attempting to care for them. Technicians frequently become bruised and battered by terrified or angry dogs in an attempt to help the patients that are presented to them.
Veterinary technicians must be multitalented. Each day they fill the roll of dental hygienist, anesthetist, radiographer, emergency room nurse, groomer, client educator, patient advocate, behaviorist, and phlebotomist. They must also be exceptionally emotionally stable, ignoring their own emotional needs in place of caring for others. One of my technicians lost her own dog this week and then had to immediately return to work while grieving the loss of her own fur baby. She spent the day taking care of clients’ pets instead of taking care of herself and her family during their time of loss. She represents the compassion and dedication embodied by most veterinary technicians. You will see many a veterinary technician cradling a recovering surgical patient in their arms while eating their lunch, or bottle feeding baby kittens on their day off.
So next week and for the rest of the year, let us not forget that these underpaid and under appreciated individuals work in this profession to take care of you and your pet. Be kind when you encounter them and do not give them grief if they are running a little late for your nail trim or vaccine appointment. Tell them how much you appreciate them and the difficult job that they do.
October hosts veterinary technician week, but I say every day should be “love your technician day”. Much love to Becky, Carolyn, Shelley, Beth, Sam, Dawn, Jackie, and Deanna – my amazing technician friends.
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a
listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all
of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ― Leo F. Buscaglia
Dr. Julie Cappel
Please share your best veterinary technician story to honor those who really run our veterinary hospitals.
Join me on The Veterinary Life Coach Podcast!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-veterinary-life-coach-podcast-with-dr-julie-cappel/id1451549730
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