What does the average client know about your credentialed veterinary technicians and their capabilities? Not enough, according to a survey of more than 1,000 pet owners.
Nearly 3 in 4 survey respondents thought that a credentialed veterinary technician merely performed tasks such as cleaning cages and holding patients. Most U.S. pet owners didn’t realize that your valued team members often do everything from managing anesthesia during surgery, dispensing medication and performing diagnostic testing to cleaning teeth and counseling clients about behavior issues.
“Like their counterparts in human health care, credentialed veterinary nurses and technicians are also highly skilled professionals, providing lifesaving and life-enhancing care for pets as well as emotional support,” said Harold Davis, RVT, VTS (Emergency and Critical Care) (Anesthesia and Analgesia).
He is president of the North American Veterinary Community, which commissioned the study in support of the Veterinary Nurse Empowerment Initiative.
“It’s up to us to do a better job by educating pet owners how vital [credentialed technicians] are to the veterinary health care team, so their skills can be better leveraged for the benefit of animals everywhere,” Davis said.
Once the respondents learned of the education that credentialed technicians receive and the responsibilities they take on, 84% of the surveyed pet owners said they would trust one as much as a veterinarian.
“We believe that as pet owners better understand the medical knowledge, advanced skills and expertise of credentialed veterinary technicians, coupled with the compassionate care they provide, their confidence and trust in technicians will increase,” said Carolyn Spivock, RVT, the director of veterinary technician and assistant development at VCA Animal Hospitals.
VCA and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America helped with the survey.
“Building stronger relationships between veterinary technicians and pet owners is one meaningful way we can continue to improve care for pets and grow the support we can offer our clients,” Spivock said.