Tomorrow I'll be speaking to a small group of veterinary technician students, and telling them all about my career as a vet tech. It's taken me 2 weeks to put the presentation together, so I've been thinking a lot lately about the last 15 years and how lucky I've been. I have been fortunate enough to do a wide variety of different things as a certified veterinary technician. I almost left the field entirely on 3 separate occasions. Looking back on everything now, I can see th

Ask anyone involved with veterinary medicine why they got into it, and the answer will always contain one of the following: "I love animals!" "I enjoy helping animals!" "I want to save lives!" Rarely will you hear: "I like it when dogs quiver when they see me!" "I love the sound of hissing cats!" "Putting animals to sleep is my favorite!" Another thing you don't often hear from many who are first getting into the field is, "I LOVE PEOPLE!" It is often a rude awakening for the

I'm inspired to write about my cats today. I didn't become a cat person until I was in my twenties. I was supposed to bring my first cat Raven to Colorado with me when I moved from Chicago to go to Bel-Rea to learn how to be a vet tech. He was polydactyl and hopelessly devoted to me. Unfortunately, his kidneys failed 2 weeks before I left. (Raven) I promised him I would share that journey with another black boy kitty, so after I was settled I called Denver Municipal Animal Co

If you've spent time with animals, you know they have thoughts and feelings just like we do. I'm often asked questions about what I think they feel, or whether something hurts, or if a pet "knows" when it's time. Do they have a sense of humor? Do they miss us when we're gone? Do strays "remember" their past? Can they tell us what they are feeling about any of these things? Yes. Animals have feelings, and they communicate in so many ways. They turn to look. Their little eyebal