The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine takes great pride in educating the entire veterinary team, and veterinary nurses and assistants are a big part of that team! To show its support and gratitude, the college held a week-long celebration during Veterinary Nursing Appreciation Week (nationally known as Veterinary Technician Week), October 16-20. The series of special activities were thoughtfully planned as part of the college’s long-standing tradition of recognizing veterinary nurses during the appreciation week for the vital roles they play in the veterinary medical profession.
“I am excited that we are commemorating this special week that is designated as a time to thank our veterinary nurses who are such valuable members of our veterinary team,” said Dean Willie Reed. “Veterinary Nursing Appreciation Week gives us a great opportunity to celebrate the veterinary nurses who are essential to the service, research, and teaching missions of our college.”
As part of the planning process, creative energy was expended to coin fun names for some of the special activities. PVM’s veterinary nurses enjoyed well-deserved treats with the “Thanks a ‘Hole’ Bunch” donut breakfast on Tuesday, October 17. On Wednesday, October 18, veterinary nurses received ice cream treats at the “You’re the Coolest!” event. Thursday, October 19, the Veterinary Nursing Student Organization handed out commemorative t-shirts as well as goody bags in line with their theme “You Have Great Tricks, so Come Get Some Treats!” Then today (Friday, October 20), veterinary nurses are enjoying “You Are Our Heroes!” Subway sandwiches, which will be available until 1:30 p.m. All of the recognition events have taken place in the connecting corridor between the David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex and Lynn Hall.
Special thanks to the planning committee members who organized the week’s activities: Megan Brashear, BS, RVT, VTS (ECC), senior manager of veterinary nursing in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital; Mackenzie Lynas, RVT, veterinary technician in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit/Emergency and Critical Care Service; Eleanor Nichols, RVT, veterinary nurse in the hospital’s Large Animal Internal Medicine Service; and Jennifer Smith, RVT, RLAT, instructional technologist in the college’s Veterinary Nursing Program.
PVM’s veterinary nurses also were featured in social media promotions. More than 110 social media posts were published featuring photos of PVM’s veterinary nursing teams and veterinary nursing students as well as advice for future veterinary nurses, and appreciation for the hard-work of all of the veterinary nursing teams.
And there’s still time to personally thank PVM’s veterinary nurses for their dedication and excellence before Veterinary Nursing Appreciation Week comes to a close!