Now in its sixth year, Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) Month seeks to leverage existing partnerships with stakeholders across Canada to extend knowledge of the vital role RVTs play in providing quality animal healthcare to ensure the humane treatment of all animals and protect public safety and interest as well as biosecurity.
We’d like to introduce you to our exceptional RVTs, Matt and Colette, as well as Mercedes (who is a Veterinary Technician and well on her way to becoming an RVT). Each of these Animal Health Team members work hard to keep the 200+ shelter animals healthy and happy every day:
“A typical day for an RVT with HSLM involves examining, vaccinating, de-worming, and medicating the animals within the shelter. We also book medical procedures, including spay and neuter surgeries, with veterinary clinics in preparation for them to be adopted. Additionally, we educate our adopters about any health concerns with their new family member, as well as answer any questions they may have regarding pet ownership and veterinary care.” – Matt
“When I graduated from the vet tech program, HSLM was the first place I applied to, unfortunately I was just too inexperienced for the job at the time. Since then, I have spent 15 yrs in day practices and I have been fortunate enough to meet many critters and build relationships with their owners, all while gaining valuable much needed experience. I always knew that HSLM is where I would end up, when the time was right. Here every day is different, rewarding and at times very challenging. As the shelter is set up now we need to travel to our vets and try to manage our appointments to suit the clinic and the shelter’s schedules. I’m getting to use my skill set and tweak it to be useful in a shelter setting. Going forward I’m really excited for a new larger shelter that can house our animals comfortably and a veterinarian on site so that we are able to get medical attention to our animals in a timely fashion and reduce the amount of time they have to live in the shelter with us. Looking very forward to continuing to improve the quality of lives for all the animals in our care.” – Colette
“Ever since I was a kid, I used to love seeing the dawn commercial of people washing oil off of penguins and ducks. Growing up that’s all I ever wanted to participate in. I liked the idea of helping out creatures in need, learning about the many different species and their own unique traits and/or abilities. Becoming a Vet Tech (and soon to be RVT) was the closest way I could make my interest become a career. I’ve always loved the idea of never fully knowing how my next day is going to play out, I could be working mainly with dogs one day, then trying to figure out a few things with cats the next; then randomly we get a Hedgehog in need and I find myself doing a little more research because I don’t know everything just yet. I much rather have a job that will almost always be unpredictable than having to show up and do the exact same thing over and over again.” – Mercedes
Apart from their knowledge and unique skillsets, what truly sets the HSLM Animal Health team apart is their compassion and willingness to go above and beyond for each pet in our care!
Please join HSLM in celebrating RVT Month by expressing your appreciation to Matt, Colette and Mercedes or your own pets’ RVT!
To make a financial donation to help provide ongoing medical care to shelter pets, please click HERE.