Lucy, Head Certified Veterinary Technician
What influenced you to pursue a career in veterinary medicine? I was raised on a dairy farm, so I was around all kinds of animals right from the beginning. From the time I could crawl, my parents could tell I was an animal lover by the way I responded to all of our farm kitties!
How important is the role of the Certified Veterinary Technician in today's veterinary clinic? It's very important! The average person may not realize the impact of having Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVT's) until there is an emergency or crisis. It really makes a difference. CVT's have attended an accredited school, completed a two year program, and passed a national certification test. CVT's are licensed to practice by the State of Minnesota. The standardized training and competency definitely results in better patient care for your pet!
What influenced you to pursue a career in veterinary medicine? I was raised on a dairy farm, so I was around all kinds of animals right from the beginning. From the time I could crawl, my parents could tell I was an animal lover by the way I responded to all of our farm kitties!
How important is the role of the Certified Veterinary Technician in today's veterinary clinic? It's very important! The average person may not realize the impact of having Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVT's) until there is an emergency or crisis. It really makes a difference. CVT's have attended an accredited school, completed a two year program, and passed a national certification test. CVT's are licensed to practice by the State of Minnesota. The standardized training and competency definitely results in better patient care for your pet!
Mark, Certified Veterinary Technician
As a Certified Veterinary Technician, what impact do you have on the pets when they come into the clinic? If you are a dog or cat, I think sometimes it's hard to understand why you are here at the clinic instead of at home. It's always important to try to understand the pets and to put them at ease so that they have a good experience.
Favorite breed of dog? Definitely Labs and Pitties!
As a Certified Veterinary Technician, what impact do you have on the pets when they come into the clinic? If you are a dog or cat, I think sometimes it's hard to understand why you are here at the clinic instead of at home. It's always important to try to understand the pets and to put them at ease so that they have a good experience.
Favorite breed of dog? Definitely Labs and Pitties!
Jess, Certified Veterinary Technician
What are some of the things you do in the course of your day as a Certified Tech?
It varies a lot, pretty much we do whatever is needed. That ranges from being the support staff for appointments, assisting with surgery, doing dental cleanings, taking x-rays, running in-house labwork, and a lot of other things. You never get bored!
How much does your dog "Chunk" weigh?
Great Danes are BIG dogs!
What are some of the things you do in the course of your day as a Certified Tech?
It varies a lot, pretty much we do whatever is needed. That ranges from being the support staff for appointments, assisting with surgery, doing dental cleanings, taking x-rays, running in-house labwork, and a lot of other things. You never get bored!
How much does your dog "Chunk" weigh?
Great Danes are BIG dogs!
Mandy, Veterinary Assistant
What is the importance of balance in the veterinary field?
This is something everyone in the veterinary field thinks about. Many people think we spend a lot of time with puppies and kittens, but there are also a lot of serious issues that the assistants, technicians, and doctors deal with. It can get intense emotionally with some of the cases we encounter. That being said, it's important to smile, take time for yourself, and appreciate the support from your clients and co-workers.
What is the your favorite invention? Self adhesive googly eyes!
What is the importance of balance in the veterinary field?
This is something everyone in the veterinary field thinks about. Many people think we spend a lot of time with puppies and kittens, but there are also a lot of serious issues that the assistants, technicians, and doctors deal with. It can get intense emotionally with some of the cases we encounter. That being said, it's important to smile, take time for yourself, and appreciate the support from your clients and co-workers.
What is the your favorite invention? Self adhesive googly eyes!
Stacey, Veterinary Receptionist
What is the role of the receptionist here in the clinic?
It's a lot of responsibility. I try to make sure that the clients and pets feel at home, so that a visit to the vet is as comfortable, happy, stress-free as possible. There is a lot of emphasis on being helpful and making sure everyone gets their questions answered.
What is it like having to share your desk with the clinic cats?
I like it! It does get a little competitive when it comes to who gets to sit in the chair, though!
What is the role of the receptionist here in the clinic?
It's a lot of responsibility. I try to make sure that the clients and pets feel at home, so that a visit to the vet is as comfortable, happy, stress-free as possible. There is a lot of emphasis on being helpful and making sure everyone gets their questions answered.
What is it like having to share your desk with the clinic cats?
I like it! It does get a little competitive when it comes to who gets to sit in the chair, though!
Emily, Veterinary Assistant
What is the importance of being detail-oriented in the veterinary field?
It's very important! Every day we deal with medical records, emergency and referral reports, medication doses, vaccinations, and medical treatments. Being spot-on is very important since, there often times is no margin for error. Even so, as a human being you still have to balance this with being flexible, adaptable and compassionate, so you are not a robot!
What is your favorite musical instrument?
The violin, of course!
What is the importance of being detail-oriented in the veterinary field?
It's very important! Every day we deal with medical records, emergency and referral reports, medication doses, vaccinations, and medical treatments. Being spot-on is very important since, there often times is no margin for error. Even so, as a human being you still have to balance this with being flexible, adaptable and compassionate, so you are not a robot!
What is your favorite musical instrument?
The violin, of course!
Rebecca, Certified Veterinary Technician
What are some important traits a Certified Technician needs to have? In this job, it's very important to have the ability to remain calm and not get stressed out. A CVT has to be able to deal with such an array of different things like emergencies and critical patients. You have to have a sense of urgency but also methodically focus on what needs to get done for the good of the patient.
What do you like about working in a small private practice? I like being able to have a connection with the pets and the clients. When you know the people and the animals, it's a lot easier to see where someone is coming from or to anticipate how a pet might react to something. I like that one on one aspect.
What are some important traits a Certified Technician needs to have? In this job, it's very important to have the ability to remain calm and not get stressed out. A CVT has to be able to deal with such an array of different things like emergencies and critical patients. You have to have a sense of urgency but also methodically focus on what needs to get done for the good of the patient.
What do you like about working in a small private practice? I like being able to have a connection with the pets and the clients. When you know the people and the animals, it's a lot easier to see where someone is coming from or to anticipate how a pet might react to something. I like that one on one aspect.
Dave, Practice Manager
How long have you been with the clinic? I've been working here for over 25 years! I started at the front desk while I was in school, and later became a veterinary assistant. I have been the Practice Manager for both of Greg's clinics since 2000.
How has the field of veterinary medicine changed over the years? The changes have been incredible, both in the technological sense and also in the role of pets within a family. The advances in pain management, diagnostics, dentistry... it's been great! Every day that goes by, we have better tools available to help diagnose and treat our pets. I have to say, 20 years ago I never would have imagined we would have digital dental x-rays or an in-house Lab Station! It's also great to see the integral role pets now play in people's lives, they really are our family members.
How long have you been with the clinic? I've been working here for over 25 years! I started at the front desk while I was in school, and later became a veterinary assistant. I have been the Practice Manager for both of Greg's clinics since 2000.
How has the field of veterinary medicine changed over the years? The changes have been incredible, both in the technological sense and also in the role of pets within a family. The advances in pain management, diagnostics, dentistry... it's been great! Every day that goes by, we have better tools available to help diagnose and treat our pets. I have to say, 20 years ago I never would have imagined we would have digital dental x-rays or an in-house Lab Station! It's also great to see the integral role pets now play in people's lives, they really are our family members.
