So after reading a few posts, you might be wondering if I have some fabulous job with rich people, lots of money, and all this prestige. In a word, no.
I'm a Registered Veterinary Technician. We don't make much, but we love what we do. We have to. The hours are unpredictable, sometimes long and the work itself is fairly physical, definitely mental, and sometimes emotionally taxing.
It's getting better out there, but a lot of people have no idea what we do. I usually explain it this way:
You know when you take your dog or cat to the vet and he/she says, "well, I'm pretty worried about Fluffy. Let's do some blood tests and radiographs, then put him on IV fluids to correct the dehydration and start him on some medication to make him feel better and monitor him for the next 2 days." You say, "How much?" The vet sends me in to go through the estimate, answer questions, and admit Fluffy to hospital. When I bring Fluffy back and tell the vet you said we could do it, they say, "Okay. Go do it."
So it's pretty "hands on" kind of work. I still have the fun of trying to guess the DVM's diagnosis, but none of the responsibility in being wrong. Instead, I perform tests and expose radiographs, monitor anaesthesia, provide nursing care, calculate meds and food, educate clients... I'm running out of brain power to list the rest of the stuff, but it's honestly more mundane than that list.
What I have to remember is that this is what I do, not who I am. For several years I defined myself by my work. I can't do that anymore. My body won't take it, my mind and family life won't take it. So I am a Registered Veterinary Technician by trade I guess you could say.
So that's the easy explanation. If you've decided you "love animals" and you think you want to do this work, check out the OAVT website. If you want to know where I used to work, check out this website
