October 12–18 is National Veterinary Tech Week, and we couldn’t let it pass without giving a huge shoutout to the amazing team members who keep our clinic running every single day. Veterinary assistants may not always be in the spotlight, but they’re the heartbeat of our practice—caring for pets, supporting veterinarians, and helping clients feel at ease. Around here, they don’t just matter… they make all the difference.
If you’ve ever brought your pet to our clinic, chances are you’ve been greeted or helped by one of our veterinary assistants. They’re the ones holding paws during exams, prepping for procedures, answering your questions, and making sure our patients are comfortable (and maybe even a little less nervous!). In short—they do a little bit of everything, and a lot of it with love. We often say they’re the “heart of our team,” because without them, the clinic simply wouldn’t be the same.
So, what inspires someone to become a veterinary assistant?
But through it all, there are lots of little moments of joy. Carley says seeing her favorite patients “and getting to love on them” never fails to make her smile, while Gabbie lights up when clients call back to share how much better their pets are doing after treatment. Madison and Brittany share a similar sentiment, sharing that patients that are excited to come into the clinic with joy- wanting pets and cheese treats– always makes them smile, as it shows they’re excited to be here and be treated with kindness!
And of course, there are some hilarious stories too. Carley recalls one of her favorite patients—a 100 lb dog at their mobile RV clinic in Ashland—who once crawled under a table, spilled two coffees and a water, all in an attempt to snag a piece of cheese. “It was a mess but hilarious. He can do no wrong.” Brittany shared that the vocal dogs that growl at her while she drew blood always brings out a chuckle. Even though she knew it was a growl out of love and they would never do anything to harm us! While Madison.. recalls a patient pooping on her face. (Thanks for that, she says!!)
We also asked our team what advice they’d give to anyone considering this career path. Gabbie says: “Keep an open mind and go for it! There’s always more to learn.” Carley recommends starting at a local shelter or rescue to really see if the work is the right fit: “Most people want to be a vet assistant for the puppies and kittens—and that is who you spend the least amount of time with.” Madison emphasizes resilience and passion: “You have to be strong-willed and can’t take things personally. This isn’t a job for money or stability—it’s a job for the soul, and you need to have the drive to heal patients.” and Brittany adds a dose of reality: “It can be hard work! It’s not playing with puppies and kittens all day. It’s caring for many sick animals, and it’s also about constantly learning and understanding how practicing medicine really works.”
And to sum it up: Gabbie describes the role as “fulfilling, challenging (in a good way), and busy,” while Carley sums it up as “compassionate, exciting, exhausting.” Brittany describes it as "rewarding, challenging, and fun", while Madison says it’s “dedicating, nourishing, and demanding”. Their own pets keep life outside the clinic lively too—Gabbie’s three-year-old pit mix Chickpea is “a bundle of energy who loves to play,” and Carley’s cats Clementine and Ernest keep her on her toes with their very different personalities. Madison and Brittany have over 10+ animals, and they all provide endless snuggles, smiles, and fun!
It’s clear from their words that being a veterinary assistant isn’t just about skill—it’s about heart.
To our amazing veterinary assistants: thank you for everything you do. You juggle so much, from caring for our patients to supporting our clients, and you do it all with warmth and dedication. This month—and every month—we celebrate you!! Our clinic wouldn’t be the same without your compassion, energy, and endless love for animals!!
If you’ve ever brought your pet to our clinic, chances are you’ve been greeted or helped by one of our veterinary assistants. They’re the ones holding paws during exams, prepping for procedures, answering your questions, and making sure our patients are comfortable (and maybe even a little less nervous!). In short—they do a little bit of everything, and a lot of it with love. We often say they’re the “heart of our team,” because without them, the clinic simply wouldn’t be the same.
So, what inspires someone to become a veterinary assistant?
- For Gabbie, it was personal: “My dog Maggie was a patient with Teri Sue, and I wanted to get her the best care that I could. So I started working with Teri Sue and was able to help other pets, which was really fulfilling and really cool.”
- For Carley, the pull was there from the very beginning: “I’ve loved animals since I can remember. I always wanted to be able to have a job that doesn’t feel like a job because I love what I do so much. I’ve always had a strong connection toward animals and spent most of my childhood pretending I was one.”
- For Madison, “I always wanted to work in science and medicine. I realized I connect better with animal patients through unspoken bonds and I fell in love with the career immediately when I gave it a shot!”
- And for Brittany, “I’ve always had a love for animals and wanted to work in an industry where I could be hands one with them everyday.”
But through it all, there are lots of little moments of joy. Carley says seeing her favorite patients “and getting to love on them” never fails to make her smile, while Gabbie lights up when clients call back to share how much better their pets are doing after treatment. Madison and Brittany share a similar sentiment, sharing that patients that are excited to come into the clinic with joy- wanting pets and cheese treats– always makes them smile, as it shows they’re excited to be here and be treated with kindness!
And of course, there are some hilarious stories too. Carley recalls one of her favorite patients—a 100 lb dog at their mobile RV clinic in Ashland—who once crawled under a table, spilled two coffees and a water, all in an attempt to snag a piece of cheese. “It was a mess but hilarious. He can do no wrong.” Brittany shared that the vocal dogs that growl at her while she drew blood always brings out a chuckle. Even though she knew it was a growl out of love and they would never do anything to harm us! While Madison.. recalls a patient pooping on her face. (Thanks for that, she says!!)
We also asked our team what advice they’d give to anyone considering this career path. Gabbie says: “Keep an open mind and go for it! There’s always more to learn.” Carley recommends starting at a local shelter or rescue to really see if the work is the right fit: “Most people want to be a vet assistant for the puppies and kittens—and that is who you spend the least amount of time with.” Madison emphasizes resilience and passion: “You have to be strong-willed and can’t take things personally. This isn’t a job for money or stability—it’s a job for the soul, and you need to have the drive to heal patients.” and Brittany adds a dose of reality: “It can be hard work! It’s not playing with puppies and kittens all day. It’s caring for many sick animals, and it’s also about constantly learning and understanding how practicing medicine really works.”
And to sum it up: Gabbie describes the role as “fulfilling, challenging (in a good way), and busy,” while Carley sums it up as “compassionate, exciting, exhausting.” Brittany describes it as "rewarding, challenging, and fun", while Madison says it’s “dedicating, nourishing, and demanding”. Their own pets keep life outside the clinic lively too—Gabbie’s three-year-old pit mix Chickpea is “a bundle of energy who loves to play,” and Carley’s cats Clementine and Ernest keep her on her toes with their very different personalities. Madison and Brittany have over 10+ animals, and they all provide endless snuggles, smiles, and fun!
It’s clear from their words that being a veterinary assistant isn’t just about skill—it’s about heart.
To our amazing veterinary assistants: thank you for everything you do. You juggle so much, from caring for our patients to supporting our clients, and you do it all with warmth and dedication. This month—and every month—we celebrate you!! Our clinic wouldn’t be the same without your compassion, energy, and endless love for animals!!