This year, VSH is pleased to announce that Krissi Magi and Megan Devoe are the winners of VSH’s National Veterinary Technician Week. Colleagues nominated Krissi and Megan for their contribution as members of the veterinary health care team. Veterinary technicians are responsible for nursing animals, administering medications, assisting in surgery, performing laboratory duties, etc.

Q: What made you decide to become a veterinary technician?

Krissi: I have always enjoyed working with animals of all kinds but had never worked at a veterinary clinic until after college. I decided to apply at an emergency/specialty clinic to see if I could handle being around sick or injured animals and it turns out that it wasn't as scary as I expected. I enjoyed the fast-paced atmosphere, I loved watching the animals recover, and it was nice to be around other nurses and doctors who love animals as much as I do.

Megan: I became a veterinary technician by chance. I had recently lost my job at a humane society where I was an Animal Care Technician/Certified Euthanasia Technician. I applied for a position at a local veterinary clinic and got the job because I had a lot of experience with animal behavior, restraint and had good technical skills. In Oregon (at the time) if a person worked in the capacity of a technician for more than four years they can sit for the National Board Exam. So I took the test and passed. Here we are 14 years later.

Q: What is a typical day in the life of a veterinary technician?

Krissi: My typical day consists of trying to balance the emergencies and the continual care of our in-house patients. When I arrive in the morning, I listen to rounds and make the necessary changes on the flow sheets. As the day goes on, the other nurses and I make sure that the treatments on the hospitalized patients stay caught up and that the emergencies are managed well. This routine is very continuous as we have hourly treatments on every patient along with the emergencies that constantly walk through our doors.

Megan: My day starts off by going on the morning rounds with the overnight doctors and getting the day’s orders ready for our hospitalized patients. Next I’m calling our clients updating them on their pet's condition. I generally do most of the patient receiving and discharging for the day along with keeping the anesthetists informed as to what may be coming into surgery so we can plan our day. Along with these duties, I field most of the client calls, assist the doctors in whatever they may need help with and attempt to get my supervisory duties taken care of (making the schedule, dealing with issues that may come up, etc.)

Q: What is the most satisfying part of your job?

Krissi: The most satisfying part of my job is watching the animals recover and go home to their families.

Megan: There are so many aspects to my job that are satisfying that it would be hard to really pinpoint one. Of course, we choose this profession because our passion is patient care. There is not a single animal in this world that I would want to suffer. When we combine excellent medicine, with excellent nursing staff (I have the best anesthetist in the world!) the outcome for our patients and their caregivers becomes the most satisfying part of my job.

Q: What does it mean to you to be nominated by your colleagues?

Krissi: I feel honored that I was one of the winners of National Vet Tech Week and am very thankful for the recognition.

Megan: It was certainly a surprise to be nominated by my peers. Everyday I see my colleagues' dedication to the animals we help. I know how hard they work. Our hospital is the way it is because of the amazing people that work here. Any one of the nursing staff would deserve this award (more than I). It truly humbles me to be picked.