The third week in October is National Veterinary Technician Week. The 2021 theme, as chosen by the North American Veterinary Technician Association, is “Who we are when the stethoscope comes off.” This theme acknowledges the individuality of the technicians who are so vital in providing animal healthcare. The theme also recognizes the need for veterinary technicians to find a balance so they can maintain their passion for their work.

In her recent book, Everyday Vitality: Turning Stress into Strength, Dr. Samantha Boardman talks about how work obsessed people “who engage in creative hobbies are actually better at their jobs.” She goes on to say, “Hobbies create a sense of mystery, control, and growth; restore a sense of order in the chaos of daily life; and provide a change in perspective.” To give you a sense of how the Animal Medical Center’s veterinary technicians maintain vitality, I will give you glimpse into the off-duty time of a few of AMC’s 110 licensed veterinary technicians.

Biking to Work, and for Fun

Shawn, a licensed veterinary technician in AMC’s Special Care Unit (photographed by a friend above), started biking to AMC five years ago. With several months of experience and a better bike, she now rides to work year-round. Shawn told me in an email, “The winter months are always a challenge. One good thing is there is less bike traffic!”

Shawn is not the only serious biker amongst the ranks of AMC technicians. Nancy, licensed veterinary technician and Veterinary Technician Specialist in Emergency Critical Care, is also a bike commuter. Judy, a licensed technician in Radiation Oncology (pictured right), enjoys long distance bike trips in her spare time, trekking from Jamacia, Queens to Montauk twice! Judy reports the trip took 9 hours of moving time.

Animals are Always Part of a Technician’s Life

Animals still occupy a chunk of technicians’ nonworking hours. On her frequent bike rides, Shawn has rescued several injured pigeons, transporting them to the Wild Bird Fund on the Upper Westside. Her last rescue was a baby pigeon that was recently released in Central Park. However, her most unusual rescue was an opossum that was hit by car. Several other AMC LVTs volunteer their time outside AMC to animal rescue work, including Luisella, a licensed veterinary technician with the Emergency Critical Care Service.

Making New Friends

Work friends are great, but friends outside of work are even better. Shawn’s biking connected her with a nursing home resident named Bill. She passed him on her daily ride and started waving to him. That turned into a daily greeting, but then Bill went missing from his usual spot outside his nursing home. After three weeks, Shawn went into the lobby and asked after Bill. He was in the hospital, she learned. Shawn feared the worst, but the next day her buddy Bill was back! He had been hospitalized with an infected toe, but, now discharged, their friendship is restored.

This gives you a glimpse into the non-working hours of AMC technicians. If you want to learn more about how AMC veterinary technicians do their job, their skills and role of the licensed veterinary technician at AMC, follow the links to read past years’ Veterinary Technician Week blogposts.