The Savvy VetTech

We are always touched by many veterinary technicians throughout the year. Here are two inspiring veterinary technicians that won awards in 2017 for their continued service and inspiration in the veterinary nursing field.

Congratulations to Jeni Hudson and Purvi Patel for their awards, service, and influence in our community. 

This month we are featuring registered veterinary technician Jennifer Katz! She has been in practice for 15 years and we hope you will enjoy learning about her path in veterinary medicine.

She offers some wonderful words of wisdom to those in their journey to being a veterinary technician.

Kristin Ardery has been a vet tech for 25 years.  I have loved learning her story, and she gives great advice for aspiring veterinary technicians.

Thanks Kristin!

This month we are featuring registered veterinary technician Devon Ayres, who is an ICU technician.

Devon has been working in the veterinary field for a long time, and I used to work with her during my internship when she was the critical care technician. And she is funny! Some of her answers during her interview made me laugh. She is amazing and we hope you will enjoy her inspiring story.

This month we are featuring veterinary technician Sandra Lean-Leighton, RVT! Sandra has a very unique story and we are honored that she is sharing with us. She is previous actress who became a veterinary technician and now does a "Adventures of a Super Vet Tech" Show. Her story is sure to make you smile!

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

SL-L:  After 20 years in the performing arts as an actress, writer and producer, I made the best decision I ever made, to go into veterinary technology. I attended Seneca College in King City, Ontario. I worked in different small animal clinics for 2 years, then established my company Vet Tech Support Services being a locum veterinary technician in over 40 different veterinary clinics in the Toronto area. My work has taken me from "Vet to the Stars," caring for the pets of the rich and famous, to an ER referral clinic, working in dermatology and neurology, to shelter medicine at the Toronto Humane Society, one of the largest shelters in North America. I love the variety and challenge of meeting new people and learning a vast array of different veterinary approaches and techniques.

Two years ago I decided to combine my two careers. I've written a one-woman comedy about my experiences as a vet tech. I've been performing my show "Adventures of a SuperVetTech" for the vet industry and the general public as a motivation vehicle for vet techs and to raise the public profile of our profession. I am currently touring vet tech colleges and conferences and in July 2015 did a 7 show run at the Toronto Fringe Festival. The response has been amazing. I couldn't be happier.

This month we are honored to feature cardiology technician Casey Lehner-Reden, RVT!

VTP:  When did you become a vet tech and where do you work?

CL-R:  I have been in the veterinary field since I was 17 years of age. That puts me about 15 years into it now. It is crazy to think of how long it has been! I currently work for UC Davis at a satellite clinic in Sorrento Valley called UC Veterinary Medical Center – San Diego. We are a center of excellence based on cooperation with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, UC San Diego Health Sciences, and animal institutes of the San Diego region. We see patients that need care in specialties of cardiology, nephrology, urology, clinical dialysis, and nutrition. 

In honor of veterinary technicians, and in celebration of veterinary technician week coming up this month, I am very happy to present our first "My Vet Tech Story" for the month of October which is our new monthly feature! 

Cindi Israel is passionate about helping others! In addition to being a computer programmer, she is now a newly registered Certified Veterinary Technician!

I was very honored to interview Cindi and learn her unique story about why she decided to become a vet tech at the age of 53.