ORONOQUE ANIMAL HOSPITAL
  • Home
  • About
    • Meet Our Veterinarians
    • Meet Our Support Staff
    • Our Services
  • Contact Us
  • Client Center
    • New Client Form
    • What to Expect
    • Payment Options
    • Review Us
  • Furry Times Tribune

Oct. 16-22 is National Veterinary Technician Week!

10/17/2016

1 Comment

 

​9 Lessons I’ve Learned From Vet Techs!

Picture
Every year the veterinary profession honors its unsung heroes by celebrating National Veterinary Technician Week. Though we rely on them every day to do tons of our heavy lifting, we don’t often give them enough credit — not in public anyway. Appreciating them every third week in October is one of the many ways in which we express our gratitude for all they do. ​

In honor of their dedication and devotion here are 9 valuable lessons that one veterinarian learned from vet techs.

1. “Holding hands” (aka teaching). Despite the fact that we’re taught in school the best way to learn a procedure effectively is via mentorship (“watch one, do one, teach one”), once out in practice, we tend to think ourselves superior to the task and forget all about the importance of teaching. 

Veterinary technicians never forget this. They know that a big part of their job involves training new staff members. We also know that the best techs are the best teachers. Given that reality, veterinarians should emulate our best and take on some of the teaching duties, too.


2. It’s OK to hug your clients. When first out of school, I felt it “unprofessional” to hug my clients. Expressing sympathy was best done with a few choice words. My techs, however, taught me that a well-timed hug is way better than words in certain instances. The hard part is getting the timing right.

3. It’s OK to cry. Nurses cry; doctors don’t. That fallacy has probably led to more pent-up stress than any other in medicine. Those who deal in life-and-death issues like we do should feel free to cry whenever they need to. Techs taught me that, too.  

​4. Never be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help is a critical skill, not least because you can’t easily keep learning without it. Veterinarians, however, sometimes forget this as soon as they leave school behind. 

5. To err is human; to admit to it is part of being a great pet nurse. No one likes to admit she's wrong, but people with fancy degrees (doctors, especially) seem especially loath to cop to it. Veterinary technicians, however, seem to have been taught to check their egos at the door. 

​6. Fashion should take a back seat to comfort. I’ve spent the better part of my career bucking the comfortable clothing thing. As I see it, clogs are for little Dutch girls and sneakers for running. Why should I wear either of the two? Twenty years later, I’m willing to wear scrubs and sneaks, but only because vet techs finally brought me around to it.

7. Never 
ever let anyone see you’re having a bad day. As a breed, technicians tend to keep it together in front of patients, pet owners and co-workers, regardless of whether they’re having a crappy day or not. We should all take a page out of this book. 

8. All those pockets are good for something. Fill them!
 One tech I know carries bandage scissors, hemostats, pens, writing pads, thermometers and even syringes in her scrubs. It’s like a clown car in those pockets! Would that I could be so thoroughly organized!

9. Patients are No. 1. Always.
 This is the best thing about veterinary technicians. They will always push back whenever they believe that what’s being asked of them is not in their patients’ best interest. The hierarchy for them is plain: Patients always come first. None of us should ever lose sight of that. 

Happy National Veterinary Technician Week! And a big thank you to all the techs who helped me throughout the years.

(Information provided by Dr. Patty Khuly VMD  at www.vetstreet.com)



1 Comment
rush essays link
6/21/2017 07:50:31 pm

Doctor of animals is also tough job because animal can not tell the situation. So through experience they try to understand. Dog is pet animal and we need to the vaccine for keep in home.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Call Us Today!!
    ​203-378-5229

    Request Appointment
    Online Pharmacy

    Author

    Oronoque Animal Hospital

    Archives

    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    September 2017
    June 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All
    Dental Month
    Fear Free

Picture
Picture
Picture

OFFICE HOURS

​Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Saturday
​
8:00 am - 12:00 pm

​Sunday
CLOSED
Refer a Friend
Check out Oronoque Animal Hospital on Yelp

ORONOQUE ANIMAL HOSPITAL

88 Ryders Lane
Stratford, CT 06614
​Phone: 203-378-5229
 Fax: 203-375-1660

Get Directions 

In Case of Emergency

OUR PARTNERS IN CARE


Picture
Download the PetDesk App
(Images credited to Google.com)
Site powered by Weebly. Managed by IDEXX Laboratories
  • Home
  • About
    • Meet Our Veterinarians
    • Meet Our Support Staff
    • Our Services
  • Contact Us
  • Client Center
    • New Client Form
    • What to Expect
    • Payment Options
    • Review Us
  • Furry Times Tribune