Since 1993, the 3rd week of October has been set aside as National Veterinary Technician Week (NVTW) to celebrate, recognize, and promote the valuable contributions Credentialed Veterinary Technicians make to the veterinary profession and society.
To mark the 30th Anniversary of NVTW, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) has compiled a few “Pearls of Wisdom” from a handful of Credentialed Veterinary Technicians who have served the profession for 30+ years. Pearls are generally considered the 30th Anniversary gift, and it only seemed fitting to offer “pearls of wisdom” to the next generation of Credentialed Veterinary Technicians.
“National Veterinary Technician Week was one of the first times a national spotlight was focused on our profession. Educating the public about who we are and what we do is even more important in today’s modern veterinary medicine. I hope we can all continue the effort to showcase how our great profession is an integral part of veterinary medicine. Celebrate you, celebrate us, celebrate veterinary technicians this week and every day.” – Linda Merrill, LVT, VTS (SAIM), (NAVTA Past President 1993)
National Veterinary Technician Week 2023 launched on Sunday, October 15, 2023. In celebration of the 30th anniversary, NAVTA will host several contests, giving members a chance to win gift cards, discounts on membership, and more. If your company/organization is hosting NVTW events and would like to be highlighted on the NAVTA website, email the details at info@navta.net
Current NAVTA President Jamie Rauscher, LVT, remarked, “Celebrating your staff and the hard work they do each and every day is what makes a clinic stand out. Our staff works so hard to help their patients in many ways that often go unnoticed. Their days are long and sometimes unforgiving on their bodies and minds. The emotional toil that nursing takes on us can be uplifting at times as well as debilitating in our darkest moments. The smallest recognition goes a long way. It’s not all about the money. A simple thank you in passing, or a card in their locker will be remembered more often than not. While the lunches and gifts are appreciated at the moment, treating your staff fairly and kindly is what matters most. Stand up for your staff when you have an angry client. Be a support system for them in their professional and personal lives should they need you. My career path has been paved with the support of my team in ways that I will never be able to forget or repay. As you plan how to recognize your staff this year, remember what matters most…Don’t forget them.”
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