It can be a dirty job, with many tears and difficult times. Yet, they wouldn’t trade it for the world.

The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association is saluting the frontline workers who provide top-notch care for pets and their families during National Veterinary Technician Week, or Vet Tech Week, Oct. 13-19. Vet Tech Week was first celebrated in 1993.

The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association is the trade association representing more than 2,500 member veterinarians, veterinary and technician students and Certified Veterinary Technicians from around the state to promote and protect veterinary practices.

Deborah Lakamp, CAE, ISVMA’s Executive Director, said Vet Tech Week is an opportunity for veterinarians and animal owners to take a minute to reflect on the selfless service of vet techs and thank them for everything they do to promote animal health.

"Veterinary technicians are there to greet us with a smile on our best days, and give us a hug or shed a tear with us on our worst," Lakamp said. "Their efforts to welcome and care for our animals often goes unnoticed, but it’s absolutely essential in veterinary offices around the state. Please join us in thanking our vet techs for making the lives of our animals and their families better, on the best and worst days."

ISVMA thanks Gov. J.B. Pritzker for issuing an official proclamation this month honoring Vet Tech Week in Illinois, noting CVTs are "important members of the veterinary health care team throughout the nation, and are extremely important in the effort to provide quality animal health care to ensure the humane treatment of all animals."

Here are some vet tech stories from around Illinois ISVMA wanted to highlight this week. For more on National Vet Tech Week, visit: https://www.avma.org/Events/pethealth/Pages/National-Veterinary-Technician-Week.aspx.

Charlotte Waack, Veterinary Support Personnel Network, Payson, IL

Charlotte started working in veterinary medicine nearly 30 years ago, after a back surgery forced a career change. She answered a blind ad for a veterinary assistant job and got it, even though her original college degree was in music business, not science. "It was a life-changing moment for me," she says.

At her first clinic, she learned alongside a Certified Veterinary Technician and learned so much about how to help patients. She took college CVT programs remotely and eventually became a CVT at age 41. She feels like her second career chose her. It was the science that drew her in, plus a love for animals. "Helping patients to live a longer and more comfortable life was the passion behind what I did in the clinic," Waack said.

Now, as director of an online community for veterinary professionals, Waack believes many simply do not understand all that goes into being a Certified Veterinary Technician. They have specialized education and training, with continuing education required each year on the latest in veterinary medicine. They provide all aspects of patient care, from radiology and lab tests to dental procedures and bandaging.

Most importantly, they build relationships with pets and families for life. "It is rewarding to see them become part of the family in the course of caring for their pets," she says.

Steph Scarlata, Veterinary Specialty Center, Buffalo Grove, IL

Steph has always been drawn to animals. She would skip class in high school and go to the zoo, sitting and watching the animals for hours. She likes medicine and watching the diagnosing process, comparing it to putting a giant puzzle together. After working with animals for 20 years, she feels like: "I’m comfortable but yet I’m always learning something new that puts a fresh spin on the day."

Working at an emergency/critical care facility for dogs and cats, Steph sees cases ranging from simple illnesses to major traumas, on all parts of the animals’ bodies: broken legs, heart failure, rare blood disorders, seizures, kidney dialysis. That keeps the job interesting because "It’s always a mixed bag and my skills reach their limits in all directions."

Steph strongly disputes the perception that vet techs are glorified dog walkers. She knows technicians often work excessive hours just to make ends meet while spending their money on supplies and courses to keep up their medical knowledge. She compares the work CVTs do to needing a wider range of skills than registered nurses for humans, because CVTs are often one-man shows in vet clinics.

"What a lot of our friends and family learn is that we can talk about poop at the dinner table, discuss a severe trauma case, and describe parasites with enthusiasm," Scarlata said.

While she hears from clients that they couldn’t imagine always seeing animals in pain, she says the CVT’s job is to comfort them when they aren’t well. She has also learned a lot while being a CVT that isn’t a direct job duty: "Being patient, not being quick to anger, time management, and not taking myself too seriously."

Laurie Lobdell, Veterinary Technology program director at Parkland College, Champaign

Laurie originally wanted to be a veterinarian, attending Michigan State University for one year as a pre-vet student. Then she met with a counselor and learned about the veterinary technology program, knowing she wanted to help animals. "I was one of those kids who tried to bring home every stray animal or sick bird I came across," she said.

After more than 30 years in the profession, she now teaches the next generation of CVTs and calls this second career truly amazing.

Since their patients can’t speak for themselves, the care and thoughtfulness of veterinary technicians is exactly what animals need – and it’s why Lobdell believes the job is very demanding but satisfying. "We always feel as though we have made a difference."

Lobdell wants the public to understand exactly what it takes to be a CVT and hopes one day they will have the same respect as nurses. She urges any CVTs worn down by stress or burnout to not be tempted to leave the profession. "Our profession and the pets need you!"

Denise Weber, clinical coordinator for the Neurology and Neurosurgery service at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

Like many others, Denise wanted to be a veterinarian and entered the CVT program as a fall back. Then she learned how much she loved the nursing side of veterinary medicine.

Her Neurology and Neurosurgery service at U of I sees dogs, cats, horses and farm animals, even zoo and wildlife with neurological issues. Weber emphasizes the C in CVT, as the certification means they have schooling and training similar to nurses. "We do SO MUCH MORE than just take vital signs and write down what is wrong with your pet. A CVT wears numerous hats throughout the day," she says.

Weber’s favorite cases? Helping craniotomy patients recover overnight after their delicate surgery, where monitoring their condition closely in the first hours afterward is crucial. "The most subtle change could be the only symptom of a major or life-threatening problem," Weber says.

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