Thank you Veterinary Technicians!

A group of seven people are standing at a countertop. They are all holding cups and plates of food. — Veterinary technicians and technologists were honored at the start of National Veterinary Technician Week during the “Thanks a Hole Bunch” donuts and coffee event in the Joy Matson Room of the Brunner Small Animal Hospital.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine celebration of National Veterinary Technician Week includes multiple events

We see veterinary technicians and technologists and veterinary technology students every day in and around the College of Veterinary Medicine, including in Lynn Hall, the Brunner Purdue Veterinary Hospital Complex, and Caesars Entertainment Equine Specialty Hospital. Last week, these individuals were appropriately celebrated as essential members of the veterinary medical team as the college hosted several events in honor of National Veterinary Technician Week, which was observed this year October 18-24.

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) established the tradition of reserving one week annually as a time for recognizing the contributions of veterinary technicians when the organization’s Executive Board declared in 1993 that the third week in October each year would be designated National Veterinary Technician Week. As members of the veterinary healthcare team, veterinary technicians and technologists are educated in the latest medical advances and skilled at working alongside veterinarians to give animal patients the best medical care possible, in addition to fulfilling vital roles in medical discovery and preserving animal health and welfare.

A photo of a black coffee mug sitting on a light-colored surface — Longtime Purdue Equine Field Service Veterinary Technician Kyle Clever even brought to the event a historical coffee mug that commemorated the first Veterinary Technician Week in 1994!

A person is standing next to a wall and is holding a black t-shirt with both hands — Longtime Purdue Equine Field Service Veterinary Technician Kyle Clever even brought to the event a historical coffee mug that commemorated the first Veterinary Technician Week in 1994!

The pivotal roles and contributions of veterinary technicians in the College of Veterinary Medicine were recognized during Veterinary Technician Week with the following special events and activities, which were held in the Joy Matson room in the Brunner Small Animal Hospital:

“Thanks a ‘Hole’ Bunch Donuts and Coffee” early Tuesday morning, October 20.
“You’re the Coolest!” –featuring, appropriately, ice cream treats on Wednesday afternoon.
A Trick or Treat themed special event hosted by the Veterinary Technician Student Organization (VTSO) on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., where vet techs could pick up treat bags and fill them with Halloween candy, choose classy stethoscope pins and animal-themed charms that affix to their stethoscopes, and receive special thank you notes.
Veterinary Technician T-shirts also were handed out during the week’s activities, which concluded with a lunchtime event Friday, October 23, that featured “You are Our Heroes” Subway Sandwiches.

A group of four people are standing next to each other. Two of the people in the center are wearing red medical scrubs. — Veterinary Technician Student Organization (VTSO) staff advisor Holly McCalip, BS, RVT, with VTSO President Neil Smith, and VTSO members Kate Seyer and Sarah Harej, all of the Vet Tech Class of 2027, at the VTSO Veterinary Technician Week appreciation event.

A group of four people are gathered together holding snacks and candy. — (left-right) Veterinary technicians Micah Black, Cameron McKee, Caitlyn Morris, and Jessica DeSutter with their bags of treats from the VTSO.

There are various halloween-themed treats sitting on a table with people grabbing them — (left-right) Veterinary technicians Micah Black, Cameron McKee, Caitlyn Morris, and Jessica DeSutter with their bags of treats from the VTSO.

Veterinary Technicians also were recognized on the college’s social media platforms. In addition, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, which is the national sponsor of Veterinary Technician Week, provided breakfast treats on Thursday, October 22. All of the PVM events matched well with the National Veterinary Technician Week theme of “Celebrating the Soul of Veterinary Medicine” to honor veterinary technicians’ “Endless Compassion, Expert Care.”

Congratulations to PVM’s Veterinary Technicians and Technologists! And remember, even though Veterinary Technician Week concluded on Friday, October 23, it’s never too late to say thank you to your veterinary technician colleagues!

Several people are standing in front of a countertop and holding subway sandwiches — Dean Bret Marsh stopped by the “You are our heroes!” Subway sandwich event to show appreciation to PVM’s veterinary technicians and technologists including (left-right) Aubrei Wierenga, Beth Laffoon, Jennifer Hartman, and Molly Cripe Birt.

Writer(s): PVM News | pvmnews@purdue.edu

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