My Vet Tech Story: Melissa Ortiz, LVT

I am very excited to introduce you to registered veterinary technician Melissa Ortiz for our August feature. Melissa is a compassionate and talented exotics vet tech working at the Queens zoo. Her career path is very inspiring and she is doing what she loves in her dream job! Aside from her busy career, Melissa finds time to give back to her community in so many ways. 

VTP: When did you become a vet tech and how has your experience evolved into what it is today?

MO: I started working with animals in the veterinary field when I was 15. I started as an assistant and then through on the job training, was taught to carry out vet tech responsibilities. Truth be told, I had no idea back then, (20 years ago) that the laws in New York State said you had to be licensed to perform those duties. I landed a job at The Animal Medical Center in Manhattan as a surgery assistant in 2004. The technicians there were all LVT's and encouraged me to go to school to get my license. I graduated from LaGuardia Community College and passed my licensing exam in 2007. I absolutely love exotics, and while at AMC I volunteered with that department while I worked in surgery. As soon as I was licensed, I became one of Dr. Quesenberry's technicians and have been working with Exotic Companion Animals until I landed my dream job at the Queens Zoo in 2011.  

VTP: What is the an interesting case you have seen in practice or something you have learned about being a vet tech?

MO: I honestly can't pick just one! I have seen some of the most amazing things and have participated in the most incredible procedures over the past 12 years that I have been working with exotics (companion and zoo). I love anesthesia and surgery with these guys and have been involved in various cases for sea lions, snow leopards, primates, elk, birds...it's just incredible. Most memorable, was a gold fish that was anesthetized at one hospital I worked at. It was my first fish anesthesia. We surgically removed tissue that had grown over her eyes and was causing her to not be able to navigate around her tank and find food. Surgery was successful and her owner was excellent with her post operative care and she lived for several years after that!

VTP: How do you cope with job-related stress?

MO: Work can certainly be stressful at times because I am the middle person between the patients, the keepers, the vet staff and the curators. However, my working relationship with each of those groups is excellent and so is the communication. I can honestly say this is the least stressful job I've had in my entire life. When I am not working, I volunteer my time for various projects. I'm very active in professional organizations. I'm currently president elect for the Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians as well as District Representative of the NY Metropolitan area for the New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians. I'm a mentor for a High School program, Bridging the Gap. I teach classes for children at a local environmental center. I organize local continuing education and often travel to give lectures on various topics. It sounds crazy, but this really is how I like to spend time outside of work. Being a Veterinary Technician is a profession, and I use all of my strength and time to advocate that. When I'm not working or volunteering, I thoroughly enjoy spending time with my girl friend going on dates and mini vacations as well as shooting competitively together in target archery. 

VTP: What pets do you have? Any stories on how you got them?

MO: I think it's part of the job to start bringing your work home with you at some point! I've adopted almost all of my pets and they all have some quirk or condition that made me fall for them and take them home. I've had so many critters, but the most recent crew has been a three-legged ferret named Geronimo that was a 5th floor high rise. I've got a sugar glider named Pauly that has tremors. I have a Ball Python named Osbourne that I've had since she was a hatchling and she just turned 18 this April. I adopted 2 FIV positive cats, Simon McLuvin and Mr. Kittyman. Mr. Skittelz is my Panther Chameleon and most recently is my 3-legged Pitty Puppy, Millie. I'm the friend that everyone contacts to help them re-home pets, usually exotics. 

VTP: What is your favorite duty in your job? What is it about your specific job that makes you happy and feel valued?

MO: My absolute favorite thing about my current job is the quality of medical care that the animals receive. This is something I value and am proud of on a daily basis. I get to walk through a zoo to check on my patients. And since I'm the only tech here, they are all my patients. From a 24 gram toad to a 900 pound sea lion, they are all under my care. In practice, there was a lot of heart break. Especially with exotics, which I have learned can be such disposable pets. There are owners who are absolutely crazy about their animals and will do anything for them, but I have heard too many times, "you want to do what with it? How much will that cost? It's just a rabbit, I'll go get another one for $20. "It's just a hamster, it only lives 2 years". Owners have taken pets home or put them to sleep because they couldn't or wouldn't do the treatments for whatever reason. Usually it was cost. Here at the zoo, every single animal gets the medical attention they need in a timely fashion. I no longer have to go home worrying about what we could have done for a patient. That is how I feel valued here.

VTP: Any words of wisdom for those preparing to be a vet tech or are considering this as a future job?

MO: Anyone considering becoming a vet tech should be a people person as well as an animal lover! You will be dealing with an assortment of emotions and personalities from your clients, colleagues, and supervisors. Be able to take advice and handle criticism, and know that it is entirely possible to be pleasant and have thick skin all at the same time. This can be and will be the most rewarding job in the world, but just like anything else, you will get out of it what you put into it. I firmly believe that you can't just be a vet tech while you are wearing scrubs or between the hours of you clocking in and out. I am always concerned with Representing, Promoting, and Advancing the profession, because that's what we are, Professionals. This entire profession is in desperate need of a morale boost and that starts with us. I am so very proud to be a Veterinary Technician. I made it a personal goal to spread that same dedication and enthusiasm to everyone I meet. Professional development is absolutely key.