The Savvy VetTech

For many clients, visiting the veterinarian is just another chore to check off their to-do list. It’s not good and it’s not bad; it’s just something that needs to be done.

But what if it doesn’t have to be that way? Clients who have a positive experience are more likely to keep returning to your clinic, giving you and your coworkers more opportunities to educate that client and provide optimal care for their pet.

As you work in veterinary practices, day in and day out, you may begin to notice some trends. There are certain types of clients that seem to crop up on a regular basis… and those clients can either make or break your day!

Understanding common clients that you may see in practice, and developing strategies to work with these clients, can go a long way towards helping your career off to a successful start.

Imagine this scenario: You’re working as a vet tech at your first job, just a few months after graduation. One morning, a client rushes into the clinic in a panic, on the verge of tears. 

“Help, I think Duke had a stroke! He seemed fine when I left to take the kids to school, but when I came home he was lying on the ground. He can’t even stand up without falling over! Can someone please help me bring him in?!”

You and your coworker get Duke, a 10 yo MN Labrador Retriever, from the car and carry him inside to an exam room. The client tells you that Duke had been acting completely normal.

While there are fundamental principles that hold true across all neurologic exams, there are also significant differences in how these examinations are executed, depending on the patient.

Understanding the basics of neurologic examinations in both small and large animals will improve your ability to assist with these examinations and/or perform them independently.

Whether your income during tech school is coming from a job or coming from financial aid, it’s natural to feel financially squeezed at this time in your life. 

Although your funds may be limited, there are simple steps that you can take to minimize your financial stress and ensure that you start your career on firm financial footing. The most important of these steps is to set and follow a monthly budget.