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More Than a Job: A Promise to Every Animal in Our Care Happy National Veterinary Technician Week 2026
Celebrating National Veterinary Technician Week | October 18–24, 2026
By the Founder of Paradise Pawsome Pet Care | Former Licensed Veterinary Technician
A Promise I Made When I Was Five
When I was about four or five years old, I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up.
I wanted to be an Animal Doctor.
I couldn't pronounce the word veterinarian yet, but I knew exactly what an Animal Doctor did. They helped animals. They cared for them. They saved lives.
And that was what I wanted to do.
Even as a little girl, I felt a deep connection to animals. I wanted to protect them from suffering whenever I could.
My father hunted, and while I understood why he did it, I couldn't bring myself to participate. Seeing deer, rabbits, squirrels, or birds killed was difficult for me. I was grateful for the food those animals provided, and I respected that purpose, but emotionally, I couldn't separate myself from their lives.
I did go fishing, although even that sometimes troubled me.
Looking back, I recognize something important about that little girl: she was already discovering the values that would guide her life.
Compassion. Respect for life. And the desire to help those who could not speak for themselves.
I didn't know it then, but I had made myself a promise.
The Beginning of My Veterinary Journey
It wasn't until 1994–1995, when I was in my early twenties, that I finally entered the veterinary field.
I began working at Pittston Animal Hospital with Dr. I. H. Kathio.
I learned so much from him. Those early experiences introduced me to the realities of veterinary medicine and strengthened my desire to continue learning.
Eventually, I decided to attend college to become a veterinary technician.
From 2000 to 2002, I attended Johnson College of Technology in Pennsylvania, my home state, where I pursued my education in Veterinary Science Technology and became a Certified Veterinary Technician.
I'll admit something: I thought earning my degree would mean making more money.
That didn't quite work out the way I expected!
But what I gained through my education was worth far more than I could have imagined.
College was difficult for me. There were times when I struggled, when the material challenged me, and when I questioned whether I could get through it.
But I never gave up.
Would I go through college all over again?
Probably not—unless I were going back to study music!
Still, the education I received became a foundation I would carry throughout my career and into the work I do today.
The Knowledge Behind the Compassion
Veterinary technicians do far more than many people realize.
I remember having a conversation with a friend while I was attending college for Veterinary Science Technology.
She was a Registered Nurse and had already been practicing for approximately ten years, possibly longer.
As we talked about our education, I began telling her about the subjects I was studying and everything veterinary technicians were expected to learn.
Her reaction surprised me.
She told me there were things I was learning that she had never been required to study during her nursing education.
That conversation stayed with me.
Here was an experienced human healthcare professional who was surprised by the breadth of a veterinary technician's education.
And it made me realize something:
Many people have no idea how extensive veterinary technology education really is.
We study anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, anesthesia, dentistry, clinical pathology, diagnostic imaging, nursing care, emergency medicine, and so much more.
And we don't study just one species.
Depending on our program and professional responsibilities, we learn about dogs, cats, horses, farm animals, laboratory animals, birds, and exotic species.
Different species have different anatomy, physiology, medication considerations, behaviors, and medical needs.
The amount of information we are expected to understand can be overwhelming.
I remember thinking about that conversation with my RN friend and realizing how little the public understood about our profession.
Of course, veterinary technicians and registered nurses have different educational requirements and professional responsibilities. My friend's experience wasn't a comparison of every nursing program.
But it illustrated something I have believed throughout my career:
Veterinary technicians deserve far greater recognition for the depth and breadth of their education, clinical skills, and responsibilities.
That is one reason I support the movement toward recognizing credentialed veterinary technicians as veterinary nurses.
Because nursing is exactly what so much of our work involves.
We monitor patients, administer treatments under veterinary supervision, assist with anesthesia, provide intensive nursing care, educate families, and advocate for animals who cannot tell us what hurts.
And we do it across multiple species.
That knowledge deserves recognition.
That expertise deserves respect.
And the people who dedicate their lives to this profession deserve to be seen for the skilled healthcare professionals they are.
The Veterinary Technician Oath: More Than Words
When I entered the profession, I accepted responsibilities that went far beyond performing clinical procedures.
The Veterinary Technician Oath expresses a commitment to animal welfare, the relief of suffering, public health, ethical practice, and lifelong learning.
These are not simply words to recite during a ceremony.
They are promises to uphold through our actions, throughout our careers.
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) also maintains a professional Code of Ethics that guides veterinary technicians in their responsibilities to animals, clients, colleagues, and society.
The Code emphasizes principles such as:
Providing excellent care and working to relieve animal suffering.
Acting responsibly and maintaining professional accountability.
Protecting client confidentiality.
Supporting public health and animal welfare.
Working collaboratively with the veterinary healthcare team.
Maintaining professional competence through continued education.
Read the official Veterinary Technician/Nurse Oath and Code of Ethics from NAVTA.
My veterinary technician license is no longer active, but the principles I embraced when I entered the profession remain part of who I am.
A credential may have an expiration date.
A personal commitment to compassion and ethical responsibility does not.
Veterinary Medicine Is About People, Too
There is something I wish every young person considering veterinary medicine understood.
You will work with people just as much as you work with animals.
Sometimes, it may feel like even more.
Whether you become a veterinary technician, veterinary assistant, receptionist, or veterinarian, communication with people is an essential part of your work.
You will encounter frightened pet parents, grieving families, frustrated clients, angry and difficult people, and people struggling to make difficult decisions.
You may find yourself comforting someone who has just received devastating news.
You may need to explain why a procedure matters, help someone understand discharge instructions, or simply listen when they need reassurance.
You become more than a person who provides animal care.
Sometimes, you become a counselor, educator, advocate, and source of emotional support.
If you're entering veterinary medicine because you love animals but don't particularly enjoy interacting with people, I encourage you to think carefully about that.
You don't have to be naturally outgoing. But you will be speaking to people. You don't have to enjoy every interaction. And you certainly don't have to accept mistreatment.
But you do need a willingness to communicate with compassion and professionalism.
The people standing beside our patients are often frightened, overwhelmed, or deeply attached to the animal in our care.
They need us, too.
Understanding that was one of the most important lessons of my career.
The Work That Doesn't Always Receive a Thank-You
Veterinary medicine can be emotionally demanding.
There are long days, difficult cases, exhausted teams, and heartbreaking outcomes.
There are patients we remember for the rest of our lives.
There are families whose grief stays with us long after they leave the hospital.
And sometimes, despite giving everything we have, our efforts go unnoticed.
Not every act of compassion receives gratitude.
Not every successful treatment receives recognition.
But those moments still matter.
The frightened animal who begins to relax in your arms.
The recovering patient who finally eats.
The grieving pet parent who feels less alone because you took the time to listen.
Those moments are part of the promise.
The Skills I Learned, the Challenges I Faced, and the Lives I Touched
Not every memory from my veterinary career is a happy one.
I experienced difficult workplace relationships, jealousy among coworkers, and situations where my way of learning and working wasn't always understood or appreciated.
I have always been a methodical person. I like to understand what I'm doing, why I'm doing it, and how to do it correctly.
Unfortunately, in a profession where speed and efficiency are often emphasized, my approach wasn't always welcomed.
I lost jobs because they considered me too slow. That one hurt the most.
Those experiences were discouraging, especially when I knew how much I cared about the animals entrusted to us.
There were also skills I worked hard to learn but rarely had the opportunity to perform.
During my veterinary technology education in Pennsylvania from 2000 to 2002, I received training in external suturing—the placement of sutures to close the skin following surgery—under the direction and supervision of a veterinarian.
I had the opportunity to perform this skill only twice, both times while working with Dr. Kathio.
I was also trained to perform comprehensive physical examinations under a veterinarian's direction and supervision, yet I was never given the opportunity to fully utilize that training in the clinics where I worked.
I often wondered whether time constraints played a role. Perhaps having both the veterinarian and technician perform complete examinations seemed inefficient, or perhaps there was concern that clients would question why their pets were being examined twice.
I never knew the exact reasons.
I simply knew these were skills I had learned and wanted to use.
An important note: My experiences reflect the education and training I received in Pennsylvania between 2000 and 2002. Veterinary practice laws, professional titles, permitted duties, and supervision requirements vary by state and may have changed since that time. My experiences should not be interpreted as a statement of what veterinary technicians are currently authorized to perform in every jurisdiction.
Over time, without opportunities to practice those skills, I lost the proficiency I once had.
That is something I still regret.
But when I reflect on my career today, I realize that the most important contributions I made weren't necessarily the procedures I performed or the skills I mastered.
They were the lives I touched.
The animals I helped save.
The people I comforted.
The frightened patients who needed someone to be gentle with them.
And the moments when I made a difference without ever knowing it.
Sometimes, the most meaningful things we do are the things no one sees, acknowledges, or remembers to thank us for.
But that doesn't mean they didn't matter.
I may not have had the career I envisioned when I first entered veterinary medicine.
I may not have been given every opportunity to use the skills I worked so hard to learn.
But I never stopped caring.
And I never abandoned the promise I made to myself as a little girl.
To me, that is what the Veterinary Technician Oath has always represented.
Not perfection.
Not recognition.
Not how quickly we can complete a task.
But a lifelong commitment to compassion, responsibility, learning, and the welfare of animals.
The promise was never about being the fastest person in the room. It was about being someone an animal could depend on.
My Promise Continues
Today, my journey has taken me beyond the traditional veterinary hospital.
Through Paradise Pawsome Pet Care, I continue sharing veterinary-informed education, supporting pet parents, and exploring approaches to animal wellness.
I am also continuing my studies in Energy Medicine for Animals, Reiki, crystal healing, and sound therapy.
I have begun my Reiki Level 1 training, and my long-term goal is to become a Reiki Master.
As I complete appropriate training and certifications, I hope to offer complementary animal wellness services through my future healing center.
These approaches are not substitutes for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, or evidence-based medical care. My intention is to explore how gentle, supportive practices may complement responsible veterinary care while always prioritizing animal welfare.
In many ways, I see this as another chapter in my lifelong commitment to learning.
And that brings me back to the Veterinary Technician Oath.
Even though I no longer hold an active license, I continue to value the responsibilities I accepted when I entered the profession.
I continue learning.
I continue advocating for animals.
And I continue trying to honor the promise I made to myself when I was a little girl.
To Every Veterinary Technician: Thank You
National Veterinary Technician Week is celebrated October 18–24, 2026.
This year's official NAVTA theme is:
“Credentialed Veterinary Technicians: Endless Compassion, Expert Care; Celebrating the Soul of Veterinary Medicine.”
I cannot think of a more fitting description of the profession.
To the veterinary technicians working in general practice, emergency hospitals, specialty medicine, shelters, research, education, and every other area of animal healthcare:
Thank you.
Thank you for your knowledge.
Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for the compassion you show when no one is watching.
Thank you for continuing to learn, even when the work is difficult.
And thank you for being there for the animals and the people who love them.
More than a job. A promise to every animal in our care.
I made that promise when I was four or five.
Nearly 48 years later, I'm still keeping it. I even kept a promise as a young adult to start my own business to help animals. That is Paradise Pawsome Pet Care and the Healing Center, coming in the near future.
Professional Resources
Paradise Pawsome Pet Care celebrates veterinary professionals and supports compassionate, evidence-informed animal care and responsible complementary wellness education.
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