The Veterinary Technology Blog

Much like any other industry, the veterinary industry underwent significant changes during the Covid-19 pandemic. Recent research found that everything from clinic protocols, patient admissions and discharges, deliveries, shipments, appointment scheduling and duration, and the availability of food, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment were profoundly impacted. Clinics had to adapt and implement new practices to ensure the safety of their staff, clients, and patients.

The NAVTA launched the Veterinary Nurse Initiative (VNI) in 2016 to combat title confusion. This initiative aims to change and standardize the title of veterinary technician to registered veterinary nurse (RVN). The scope of the job and required education wouldn’t change, just the name used for licensing purposes. The title was carefully chosen after a large survey.

With the internet, many more people without physical access to training can pursue careers assisting veterinarians as veterinary technicians. The schools on this list offer online programs for veterinary assisting, both certification for veterinary assistants and degrees for veterinary technicians, to students nationwide.

Burnout and compassion fatigue impact all professionals in this field, from veterinarians to assistants and technicians. Like human healthcare burnout, there are many reasons for veterinary professional burnout. Factors include staffing shortages, high daily patient turnover expectations, and long hours.

Graduating from veterinary technician school is an accomplishment to celebrate, but for many, it's overshadowed by financial worry. Read this guide to learn more about loan forgiveness programs for veterinary technicians and common repayment options.

Looking for a good list of veterinary apps? We've compiled a list -- some for Android, some for Apple -- that can help veterinarians on the job. Find vet calculators, terminology references, and drug treatment information. To top it off, most of the apps on our list are inexpensive or free.

For many animal-lovers, choosing a career as a veterinary technician is a natural choice. It’s a field that couples the rigor of scientific laboratory testing with soft skills in patient caretaking.

Human health is closely linked to the health of animals and the health of our shared environment. Today, humans and animals interact more closely than ever before. More than half of all diseases people get are zoonotic, meaning they can spread between animals and humans.

Pet owners can be a notoriously particular bunch: people who dote on their animals tend to have very specific ideas of what’s best for their furry companions. Giving these folks a gift for the holidays that they won’t just have a use for but will actually cherish can be downright frustrating.

First begun in 1993 by a NAVTA resolution, Vet Tech Appreciation Week exists to enlighten the public about veterinary technicians and explore the field in greater detail. Established in the third week of every October, the appreciation week spotlights the profession and shows gratitude to those special vet techs in our life. This gift-giving guide for vet techs offers options for thoughtful, fun, and useful gifts.

Just because you have seen every episode of Swamp People or know more about calling ducks that the guys on Duck Dynasty doesn’t mean that you would be a good veterinary assistant. True, it is helpful to have a background dealing with animals, but there are many other considerations when deciding to make veterinary assistance your lifetime career.

With the anticipated growth of the pet care industry, veterinarians will need more qualified technicians and technologists to perform tests, prepare vaccines, prep tissue samples, take blood samples, clean instruments, maintain equipment, and assist vets during surgery.

Vet tech candidates preparing for interviews may have an advantage if they are familiar with the questions they may be asked. This collection of questions—some common and others less so—along with possible answers, were all shared by past and present vet techs.

Assistance dogs take loyal companionship to a professional level. Trained to perform specific tasks that mitigate a person’s disability, these canine volunteers play a crucial role in the lives of the people they serve.

Think that all veterinary teaching hospitals are alike? Think again! This list of 15 great veterinary teaching hospitals includes schools that specialize in multiple services, treatment of many different types of animals and even outreach into the community.