Has your pet ever been to a veterinary hospital? If so, your pet probably met a veterinary technician. Veterinary technicians have many roles in the veterinary hospital that most clients never see. Here are a few things that every veterinary technician wants you to know.
- We love being veterinary technicians.
Most vet techs have been asked this question: “Are you going to be a veterinarian one day?”. We love and respect the veterinarians we work with, but we love being veterinary technicians. We have many roles, and we love them all! We draw blood, run laboratory work, monitor your animals under anesthesia, assist with surgery, perform dental cleanings, carry out medical treatments and provide nursing care for your pets (just to name a few). Veterinary technicians work incredibly hard to get the academic and practical training we need to do our job. We also continue to learn for our entire careers. We are an integral part of the veterinary team. We spend our days being hands-on with your animals, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
- We aren’t judging you.
As veterinary technicians, we are here to provide exceptional medical care – and that’s it. We gather important information and carry out necessary treatments to make sure your animal gets the appropriate medical treatment. Everyone is living a story we know nothing about, and we are not here to make you feel bad. We’re here to help. Be honest and candid with us, and we promise to do everything we can to work with you. We understand that every patient/client relationship is unique and individual and we want to create a treatment plan that works for both you and your pet.
- We love your animals too.
Veterinary technicians love animals above everything else. That’s why we do what we do! When your animal comes through the door of our hospital, we love them like they are our own. Some people are reluctant to send their animals “out back” to the treatment area in a veterinary hospital, but we treat your animals the same whether you are present or not. We do everything in our power to reduce their anxiety, make them feel loved, and make sure they’re comfortable.
- Some days are hard.
The average veterinary technician only works in general practice for 5 years before retiring. This is a very emotional job as we deal with sickness and loss every day. Our heart breaks for you and your pets when they are ill. We have dedicated our lives to saving pets, but sometimes we can’t, and it never gets easier.
- We don’t do it for the money; we do it for your pets.
Despite the intense academic training, long work days, being covered in bodily fluids and scratches, crawling around on the floor, heavy lifting and hours of standing – we love our job! Being a veterinary technician is both hard and incredibly rewarding work. No day is ever the same, and we’re always doing 10+ things at once. Veterinary technicians do not make high wages, but we do it gladly. We are well-paid in puppy kisses, cat purrs and the feeling we get when we send an animal home with their owners at the end of the day feeling happy and healthy once again.
Written by Dartmouth Veterinary Hospital
