topic Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech in Community Chat

She' s Just a Vet Tech

Marp — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 17:37:34 GMT

A "behind the scenes look" that applies to many professions that are sorely unappreciated or at least under appreciated:

from http://www.drandyroark.com/shes-just-a-vet-tech/

She’s Just A Vet Tech

September 27, 2015

By: Britney Greene

JUST a Vet Tech greeted you at the door with a smiling face, even though we’ve been running around for 11 hours straight. Your pet was assessed by JUST a Vet Tech and, when we noticed he wasn’t stable, JUST a Vet Tech carried your 70 plus pound dog to the back and screamed for a doctor.

Once the doctor assessed your pet, JUST a Vet Tech placed the IV catheter and started to bolus fluids. JUST a Vet Tech got a blood pressure on your pet today and administered medications because his blood pressure was low. JUST a Vet Tech drew blood and ensured it got run as quickly as possible. JUST a Vet Tech wrestled your dog to get x-rays today, with the help of an assistant. When we found that your pet needed surgery, JUST a Vet Tech made certain he was stable throughout the procedure. When your pet left the surgery suite, JUST a Vet Tech sat with him to make sure he recovered with no problems.

JUST a Vet Tech got vitals on your pet every couple of hours today and reported all issues to the doctor on duty. JUST a Vet Tech noticed your pet was painful and asked the doctor to administer more pain medications. JUST a Vet Tech sat with your pet today and gave him love while you were at work. JUST a Vet Tech told your pet that he wasn’t there forever, only until he got better. JUST a Vet Tech promised your pet you’d be back for him.

Just a Vet Tech took your dog outside for a walk today. When we realized he was cramped up in that cage and his legs were stiff, JUST a Vet Tech walked your pet around the building at his pace to ensure he got proper exercise. Your pet got a lot of fluids today and couldn’t control his bladder. He’s still so weak. JUST a Vet Tech checked and changed his bedding so he didn’t have to lay in his urine. JUST a Vet Tech administered all your pets medications today.

Your pet was scared (this is a new place with new people), and he was fearfully trying to bite me. JUST a Vet Tech took the time and did everything possible to show him that we weren’t going to hurt him. He accidentally wiped his stool on me when he sat in my lap today. It happens after surgery. But, that’s okay, he didn’t mean it. JUST a Vet Tech cleaned him up nice for you.

I’m so sorry to tell you, your pet had a rough night last night. He took a turn for the worse. You’re letting your pet go today. JUST a Vet Tech understands how hurt you are, and brought you tissues. You were too upset to see your dog leave the world today. JUST a Vet Tech hugged and loved him as he crossed the bridge today. JUST a Vet Tech went home emotionally drained because all the hard work didn’t pay off today. JUST a Vet Tech will do it again tomorrow.

Remember this the next time you call someone JUST a Vet Tech. We are JUST an important part of your pet’s care. And we care about your pet.

Sincerely,
JUST a Vet Tech

Britney Greene is a full-time veterinary technician at a Pet Emergency Hospital in Maryland, and she absolutely enjoys her job. In her spare time, Britney has two children and is pursuing her Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology.

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

ladyroxanne — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 17:45:50 GMT

thanks @Marp for posting. i've known some great vet techs. they are indispensable.

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

MyGirlsMom — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 17:46:48 GMT

We've had some great "Just a Vet Techs" in our lives.

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

debsters — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 17:46:51 GMT

What a very enlightening article. Thank you Vet Techs for all of your hard work and kindness you show to our animals!!!

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

RainyDayGal — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 17:47:34 GMT

It sounds like she has anger issues. I have never once thought of them as "JUST a vet tech". I know all the hard work they do.

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

PINKdogWOOD — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 18:00:26 GMT

@ladyroxanne I agree, just like our two-legged nurses who never get enough praise! Thank God for nurses for humans and Vet Techs for our animals.

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

LilacTree — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 18:02:50 GMT

Marp, I just copied and sent your "Just a Vet Tech" article to my niece, who is a Vet Tech, and just saved her own dog's life several days ago. He was attacked by bees and she acted quickly with shots that saved his life. I put it on her FB page.

Thanks so much for posting this. There are so many women in our family who are animal lovers, including my beloved sister who was a vet's wife and worked with him for over 30 years.

This article will mean a lot to my niece.

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

Marp — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 18:12:47 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
Marp, I just copied and sent your "Just a Vet Tech" article to my niece, who is a Vet Tech, and just saved her own dog's life several days ago. He was attacked by bees and she acted quickly with shots that saved his life. I put it on her FB page.

Thanks so much for posting this. There are so many women in our family who are animal lovers, including my beloved sister who was a vet's wife and worked with him for over 30 years.

This article will mean a lot to my niece.

I sent it to the attention of the vet techs at my vet's office with a note of thanks and appreciation even though I am painfully aware of all they do.

Too often I forget to let them know that I recognize how important they are to my animals' care. I'm sure your niece will appreciate you posting it.

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

1jenniferjuniper — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 19:00:33 GMT

@Marp wrote:
A "behind the scenes look" that applies to many professions that are sorely unappreciated or at least under appreciated:

from http://www.drandyroark.com/shes-just-a-vet-tech/

She’s Just A Vet Tech
September 27, 2015
By: Britney Greene

JUST a Vet Tech greeted you at the door with a smiling face, even though we’ve been running around for 11 hours straight. Your pet was assessed by JUST a Vet Tech and, when we noticed he wasn’t stable, JUST a Vet Tech carried your 70 plus pound dog to the back and screamed for a doctor.

Once the doctor assessed your pet, JUST a Vet Tech placed the IV catheter and started to bolus fluids. JUST a Vet Tech got a blood pressure on your pet today and administered medications because his blood pressure was low. JUST a Vet Tech drew blood and ensured it got run as quickly as possible. JUST a Vet Tech wrestled your dog to get x-rays today, with the help of an assistant. When we found that your pet needed surgery, JUST a Vet Tech made certain he was stable throughout the procedure. When your pet left the surgery suite, JUST a Vet Tech sat with him to make sure he recovered with no problems.

JUST a Vet Tech got vitals on your pet every couple of hours today and reported all issues to the doctor on duty. JUST a Vet Tech noticed your pet was painful and asked the doctor to administer more pain medications. JUST a Vet Tech sat with your pet today and gave him love while you were at work. JUST a Vet Tech told your pet that he wasn’t there forever, only until he got better. JUST a Vet Tech promised your pet you’d be back for him.

Just a Vet Tech took your dog outside for a walk today. When we realized he was cramped up in that cage and his legs were stiff, JUST a Vet Tech walked your pet around the building at his pace to ensure he got proper exercise. Your pet got a lot of fluids today and couldn’t control his bladder. He’s still so weak. JUST a Vet Tech checked and changed his bedding so he didn’t have to lay in his urine. JUST a Vet Tech administered all your pets medications today.

Your pet was scared (this is a new place with new people), and he was fearfully trying to bite me. JUST a Vet Tech took the time and did everything possible to show him that we weren’t going to hurt him. He accidentally wiped his stool on me when he sat in my lap today. It happens after surgery. But, that’s okay, he didn’t mean it. JUST a Vet Tech cleaned him up nice for you.

I’m so sorry to tell you, your pet had a rough night last night. He took a turn for the worse. You’re letting your pet go today. JUST a Vet Tech understands how hurt you are, and brought you tissues. You were too upset to see your dog leave the world today. JUST a Vet Tech hugged and loved him as he crossed the bridge today. JUST a Vet Tech went home emotionally drained because all the hard work didn’t pay off today. JUST a Vet Tech will do it again tomorrow.

Remember this the next time you call someone JUST a Vet Tech. We are JUST an important part of your pet’s care. And we care about your pet.

Sincerely,
JUST a Vet Tech

Britney Greene is a full-time veterinary technician at a Pet Emergency Hospital in Maryland, and she absolutely enjoys her job. In her spare time, Britney has two children and is pursuing her Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology.

this also applies to nurses, cna's and others in the medical field. Blessings to all who care for others.

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

violann — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 19:37:08 GMT

WONDERFUL PERSPECTIVE. Anyone who feels for some ill formed reason superior to people working in highly trained service professions is an idiot.

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

guatmum — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 20:25:11 GMT

Though I understand that there are many important people/professions that are underappreciated financially, it seems that lately everyone feels the need to be overtly appreciated. There seem to be some real chips on shoulders. I am JUST a teacher to many, I JUST teach elementary school to many. However, I'm not looking for everyone to notice me, show me great appreciation for everything I do, and acknowledge my many skills and abilities. I do what I do because I love it and I find satisfaction INSIDE myself. The only time I feel the need to delineate the long list of things I do for my students and their families is during contract negotiations when I am being asked to justify getting even a 1% raise. And I don't delineate all that I do for students and families for students and families, just for my employers. It all makes me wonder, in this day of social media and "reality" TV, if we have turned into a society filled with people who need "special" attention, who need to feel acknowledged on a public level. IMO, that's a clear sign of someone who has no REAL self-esteem.

At the same time, I don't believe in the attitude that some have that those professions who are "underappreciated" are somehow "better" or more heroic than the professions related to them that traditionally receive overt shows of appreciation. I love the vet techs at my vet hospital. However, I also love the vet that cares for my animals and, by extension, me. There is a place for a vet or a doctor or a vet tech or a nurse. Some professions take more schooling and training than others. That expertise is different from the expertise other professions acquire. I will never expect/want a vet to do a vet tech's job and vice versa. I also would never expect/want a nurse to do a doctor's job and vice versa. They are DIFFERENT jobs and I wouldn't take away from any of them or ANYONE who does an honest day's work. But, imo, the real heroes in society are those that do for others without calling attention to themselves or what they do. That takes real heart!

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

ladyroxanne — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 21:42:37 GMT

you are appreciated @guatmum whether you think so or not.

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

colliegirls — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 22:11:36 GMT

I love the vet techs at our vet office! We have shared many laughs throughout the years. They are so personable and wonderful with the animals. The vet techs do most of the actual work in an exam.

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

Melania — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 22:36:33 GMT

Why do some people have to make this about them?

We have wonderful Vet techs where we go.

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

Lion — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 22:55:20 GMT

I think everyone needs to feel appreciated and valued in their jobs, not necessarily all the time or hugely overtly but once in a while.

Just one person giving you a pat-on-the-back can mean so much. We all need it and, hopefully, get it in different ways.

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

Q4u — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 23:11:50 GMT

I don't necessarily feel that everyone is looking for special appreciation for their jobs, rather they are looking for the respect due them simply by being there and knowing what they are doing, and doing an excellent job at it.

For instance calling for an appointment with the doctor and being offered one with the Physican's Assistant in order to have an earlier appoinment but telling the scheduler that won't do because it's just the Physican's Assistant rather than the doctor. It's condescending and shows a lack of respect.

This is what I get from the OP... and btw... I love every single one of my Vet's staff!! They are wonderful with my little Corgi-poo (who's a pip)!

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

Bird mama — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 23:41:26 GMT

Many years ago, early to mid 80's, before cancer treatment for dogs and cats become more easily available in my state, my mother's dog went through an oncology program at Purdue University. Benji's condition exceeded Michigan State's expertise. I know first hand, how veterinary technicians made all the difference. We had to leave Benji there for a couple of weeks without seeing him and the techs were fantastic giving us updates. When we were finally able to visit, I used to take my Mom to Purdue each weekend so Benji could have a leave of absence from the veterinary school/clinic. Benji was calm, not traumatized and happy to see the vet techs. No shaking, cowering or anything like that. My Mom bought the girls candies, gave them gift certificates for local restaurants, etc.

We made the trip every weekend until the therapy was over and we were allowed to bring Benji home. When we needed to go back like 6-8 weeks for follow up exams, Benji was excited to see the techs.

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

151949 — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 23:43:14 GMT

i don't think our vet had any employees. His wife acted as receptionist and he did everything else himself, so I have never known a vet tech.

Re: She' s Just a Vet Tech

kdgn — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 23:47:33 GMT

"Just" a vet tech is demeaning. All jobs have value, all jobs have worth. To say someone is "just a vet tech" is placing lesser value on the job say as opposed to the vet. It's not fair and it's not right. The vet would not be able to do his/her job if there were not vet techs available. It seems the vets get all the credit while the vet techs literally do much of the work. Vet techs are certified and well trained. Not everyone could do that work nor would they want to.

Handing over the container that holds the ashes of a beloved pet isn't easy but it was a vet tech that gave them to me-with tears in his eyes. He knew my Big Dog better than the vet did. He was not "just" a vet tech to me.