There are many reasons why people decide to become a veterinary assistant. Many people choose this as their vocation because they love animals. They want to help them feel better and enjoy seeing the smiles on their faces while they’re being helped.
Being a veterinary assistant can be a very rewarding career, but it’s not for everyone. Take some time to interview a local veterinarian if you can. You may ask them if you can shadow them at the office for a day, in order to better understand exactly what veterinary assistants do. Understanding what’s involved and what would be required of you in that position can make your choice whether or not to pursue it as a career a lot easier.
Here are a few interesting facts about veterinary assistants:
1. They are great communicators with animals.
After enough time, they can usually interpret an animal’s mood. They know when they are in pain and usually know what to do to keep both the animal and everyone else in the room safe. The animal’s facial expressions and body movement are usually key signs of any discomfort that they may be experiencing. Knowing what to look for can make the veterinarian’s examination a lot less stressful for everyone involved.
2. The best veterinary assistants always remain calm under pressure.
There are usually a lot of things going on in the veterinarian’s office. People, pets and machines can all be distracting at times. The best veterinary technicians know how to filter out the outside noise and focus on the situation at hand. They know their job and perform their tasks to the best of their ability. They have also been known to crack a smile or share a joke when a lighter moment is needed. No matter how stressful things get, the veterinary assistant remains patient and focused.
3. They need a lot of stamina.
Sometimes, veterinary assistants are required to hold down a dog on the table that weighs a hundred pounds or more for hours at a time. Other times, they may have to do their best to calm down an animal that flinches and fights them constantly. This is definitely not the career for those with limited endurance. Having good mental and physical strength are important traits of this kind of position.
4. Veterinary assistants also need good people skills.
Veterinary assistants are frequently interacting with customers, the veterinarian and veterinary technician as well as other people in the office. This usually requires having good people skills. The veterinary assistant needs to be able to effectively communicate and interact with every person and animal that comes through the door every day. Being an effective listener, having a good speaking voice and being able to profess empathy are vital personal skills that can’t be taught in a classroom. They are often learned through interactions with others. Working with animals and people in the veterinarian’s office can be an on-the-job learning experience that can help you gain those required skills.
These are just some fun facts about veterinary assistants. It can be a fun job, but it can also be very exhausting at times. There is schooling available, but be prepared that you may not earn much right away as it is an entry-level career. However, if you have a love of animals and are fascinated by the procedures and medical science behind veterinary medicine, then becoming a veterinary assistant may just be the right career for you!