This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Veterinary Technician Week! We’ve got the President-Elect of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), Beckie Mossor, RVT, to tell us what you need to know and do!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, discuss this year’s National Vet Tech Week theme, “Pearls of Wisdom,” and what it means to them. 

Our hosts share their top tips for celebrating your registered veterinary technicians and how you can avoid practice drama over not observing others. Yes, we go there. 

Dr. Ward shares his tips on using social media to hire vet techs, and Beckie offers tips on using social media to recognize your vet techs’ awesomeness! Bonus hiring and celebration tips are included!

We’d also like to publicly recognize NAVTA and Hill’s Pet Nutrition for their 30 years of commitment to National Veterinary Technician Week. Thank you!

To learn more, visit: https://navta.net/national-veterinary-technician-week/

This week we’re proud to bring you a conversation with a fundamental change agent within the veterinary profession, Paige A. Allen, MS, RVT. Paige has guided both veterinary technician organizations and held the highest office in the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) - FOR TWO TERMS! This week she shares her story and vision for the future of veterinary medicine. Prepare to be inspired!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, discuss how Paige became interested in the veterinary technician profession, her progression as a leader, and what changes she thinks the next generation of veterinary technicians (and veterinarians) needs to make to improve veterinary practice. From title protection to the term “veterinary nurse” to her experiences of being told she couldn’t become a veterinarian “because she was a woman,” this conversation will brighten your day!

Viewfinders, share this podcast with someone who needs a lift or is facing a challenge. Hopefully, you’ll find the nudge you need to make positive changes in your world after listening!

About Paige Allen, MS, RVT

Paige started her career in 1984 in a mixed animal practice in Nebraska. In 1986, she came to Purdue University, where she held several positions in Purdue’s Veterinary Hospital, including Food Animal Technician, Large Animal Anesthesia/Surgery Technician, and Director of Central Supply. She helped to start Purdue’s Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program and is now the Assistant Director for Academic Advising for Purdue’s Veterinary Nursing Program. She has a fantastic husband, three outstanding children, and five terrific grandchildren! Darrell and Paige live in the country and have two cats, Mac & Cheese. She is always looking for new adventures and challenges, personally and professionally.

The 2022 NAVTA Demographics survey was released during VMX 2023. This week we discuss the findings, actions we can take, and questions for the future.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and President-Elect of NAVTA, Beckie Mossor, RVT, take a deep dive into the findings of this critical survey. The last demographics survey was conducted in 2016, and, wow, some things have changed - and others remained, sadly, the same.

The survey results revealed the following highlights:

• The average Veterinary Technician is earning 25% more than in 2016.
• More than 70% of Veterinary Technicians have an Associates’ degree, up 16% from 2016.
• More than 1/3 of Veterinary Technicians have student loan debt, averaging $29,700/person.
• One-third of Veterinary Technicians have a second job, most often at full-time.

Viewfinders, this is an important discussion for the veterinary profession. We encourage you to share it with your colleagues, discuss your thoughts, and get involved!