A little bit about RVT's

Well being a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and having worked, in the past, in a small animal hospital I know first hand how little the public knows about RVT's. That is why I wrote the following article...

Registered Veterinary Technicians…Nurses of the Animal Kingdom!

Have you ever wondered who looks after Felix and Fido when they have a visit to the vet?

Pet parents now, more than ever, have a special relationship with their animal companions. Nowadays more than 70-85 % view their pets as children. That is why it is so important for pet parents to know who is looking after their "kids" when they take a trip to their local veterinarians office.

Veterinarians are often seen as the main health care provider for pets. Behind every great veterinarian there is a full team of superb pet health care staff including:
Registered Veterinary Technicians(RVT), Veterinary Technicians (VT), Receptionists, Groomers and Veterinary Assistants.
Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVT’s) are an integral part of the health care team of many animal hospitals across Ontario. RVT’s are also found working in zoos, shelters, research facilities, veterinary teaching hospitals, medical laboratories, on farms, for the government, for animal drug and food companies and as educators in veterinary technology programs.

Veterinary Technicians are educated and trained at accredited colleges to perform such tasks as: anesthesia, dental cleanings, surgical assistance and monitoring, blood taking and IV catheter placement, nursing care, laboratory testing, xray taking and developing, nutrition and client education to name a few.

The title of RVT is obtained after a veterinary technician writes the National Veterinary Technician Exam successfully. RVT status is upheld by meeting continuing education requirements and membership in the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (www.oavt.org) on an annual basis.

In many ways Registered Veterinary Technicians are the nurses of the animal kingdom!

So the next time you take your beloved "fur kids" to the veterinarian ask who is a part of your pets medical team and accept nothing less than what you would expect for yourself.

Kristina Cooper, RVT
Ancaster, Ontario.