October is the time to shine a spotlight on Cabbagetown Pet Clinic’s unsung champions.
Our Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVT’s) are some of the most caring and empathetic people you’ll ever meet. It’s not uncommon for them to go the extra mile for their patients, clients and vet clinic team members – frequently at the expense of themselves.
Veterinarians generally get the glory (bumps and bruises, too!), but the credit wouldn’t exist if our RVT’s didn’t make their job easier every day. RVT’s have a multitude of expertise in their tool kits, which takes a lot of pressure off our hard-working veterinarians. They’ll be the first to acknowledge that they get less ‘love’ or appreciation than their veterinarian counterparts and they’re okay with that.
COVID-19 raised the stakes considerably in 2020. With all of its negative fallout, it’s made our cohesive RVT team even tighter. I guess there are some ‘rays of light’ in the midst of a pandemic! Our entire RVT staff not only had to balance delivering veterinary care with an eye towards their own personal safety, but those of their extended families, loved ones, neighbours and local community. It’s been a rough 2020, but their delivery of kindness, dedication and professionalism has been unwavering.
Meet your Cabbagetown Pet Clinic RVT’s
Often unnoticed by our clientele for their contributions, RVT’s are an integral part of our veterinary hospital. We’ve been blessed with some truly great RVT’s, but we feel our current squad is second to none.
This unit has worked together for over three years. This closeness has forged a very strong bond between them, the Cabbagetown staff and our clients. We’re fortunate to employ such highly-trained, dedicated (and fun!) RVT’s.
Rebecca, RVT
While working at one of Canada’s leading hotels, she recognized that her favourite part of her job was accommodating the special requests of hotel guests and their dogs. With a love of animals, Rebecca decided a career change was in order. She went back to school and started volunteering to get exposure to the veterinary world. She graduated from the Veterinary Technician Program at Sheridan College and received her RVT designation in 2016.
What is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)?
A Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) is a highly trained professional who acts as the right-hand of a veterinarian. As an integral part of our veterinary medical team, they have a highly diverse job description. Their role in a veterinary clinic is comparable to a Registered Nurse in a regular hospital. As specialized aides, vet technicians have much to offer in the care and management of your pet.
RVT Training
To become an RVT, you must graduate from a Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) or an Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT) accredited program, successfully complete the Veterinary Technician National Examination and meet all the requirements identified by their provincial professional association.
Typically, RVT training begins with two to three years of college education at a CVMA or OAVT-accredited veterinary technician program. Upon graduation, they must become a member of the provincial governing body, complete a professionalism and ethics course, and submit a police background check.
Once these steps are completed, they must write the Veterinary Technician National Exam. Only after successfully passing this exam are they given the designation of Registered Veterinary Technician. Completion of continuing education (CE) credits taken every year are needed to maintain their licensed status.
Although graduates commonly find employment in veterinary practices, employment opportunities exist in zoos, wildlife rehabilitation, and government and research laboratories.
Steve, RVT
His lifelong passion for animals led him to the Animal Health Technology Program at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC where he is a recent graduate – Class of 2016. He received his RVT designation and honed his skills out west before re-locating to Toronto with his wife and lovely dog, Charlie. In the areas of veterinary care, Steve is passionate about surgical procedures and is studying alternative pain management strategies (ie. acupuncture) for animals.
What is the role of an RVT ?
An RVT works under the direction of a licensed veterinarian. RVT’s acquire an extensive array of expertise through accreditation and experience. This makes them an “essential service” within the vet clinic environment. They use their assortment of skills and share it with our pet parents to ensure they are making informed choices about their pets’ care.
The responsibility of an Registered Veterinary Technician covers several areas in veterinary medicine. Here’s a short list of the important tasks carried out by our Cabbagetown Pet Clinic RVT’s:
- Processing and analysis of x-rays and ultrasound
- Administration and dispensation of medications and treatments, as prescribed by our veterinarians
- Triage emergency arrivals
- Providing optimal restraint and handling of pets
- Surgical preparation and assistance; anesthetic delivery and monitoring
- Prevention and control of infectious diseases (ie. Lyme disease, Leptospirosis)
- Dietary and nutritional consultation and management
- Animal behaviour evaluation and ….
- Breeding, reproduction, and neonatal care
- Professional vet clinic practice administration and animal hospital management
- Diagnostic laboratory testing (hematology, clinical chemistry, cytology, and urinalysis)
- Animal hospital sanitation, sterilization and disinfection controls and procedures
- Knowledge of dental structures, conditions and lesions, castages of diseases
- Broad understanding of microbiology, immunology, bacteriology, parasitology, zoonoses, and virology
X-Rays Administered in 2020
900
Nails Trimmed in 2020
39.5
mL's of Blood Taken in 2020
1200
Teeth Cleaned in 2020
1620
Our RVT’s go above and beyond every day
Beyond the usual day-to-day tasks that our RVT team assumes, they also find time in their busy schedule for community outreach.
Cabbagetown Festival
Every September, the Cabbagetown Pet Clinic submits a booth in the Cabbagetown Festival. Our RVT team is instrumental in making this initiative happen. As a member of the Cabbagetown BIA, this festival is vital as it celebrates and supports the local business community and culture. It gives our vet clinic an opportunity to meet our fellow “Cabbagetowners” outside the walls of the clinic and engage with other businesses in the community.
Farley Foundation
The Farley Foundation is another initiative heavily supported by our RVT team. The Cabbagetown Pet Clinic has been actively involved with the Farley Foundation charity for years and has raised thousands of dollars through bottle drives, bake sales and raffles.
This success could not have been made without the tireless contribution of our RVT team and amazing support from Cabbagetown residents, veterinary partners and the local business community.
We’re delighted to take this moment and give thanks to our hardworking RVT’s for kindness and dedication they exhibit every day. Their commitment to enriching the lives of every animal they care for is everlasting. If you have any questions about your pet’s health, please reach out to one of our RVTs today!
