The Unsung Heroes: Beyond the Pizza Parties of Vet Tech Week

It’s five minutes before closing time. The phone rings, and my stomach drops. A client’s dog has had multiple seizures in the last hour. I tell them to rush in, my mind already racing through the protocol. When the dog arrives actively having a seizure, I bolt to the treatment room, only to realize I’m alone—everyone else has already left for the day.

I fumble with supplies, cursing myself for not being prepped. As I struggle to place a catheter on the thrashing patient, the sound of my own pounding heart fills my ears, and I start to feel the panic setting in.

Then, the door opens. In walks one of my veterinary technicians, a calm and confident presence. She had overheard my conversation on her way out and decided to turn back. Without a word, she jumps into action (I swear, her superpower is mind-reading). She finds the vein I couldn’t, placing the catheter in a single, fluid motion. Working as a seamless team, we administer meds, obtain a TPR and MDB, and within minutes, the dog is stable.

She saved my butt that day. And countless others.

That’s the irreplaceable power of a veterinary technician.

It’s More Than Just the Title

This week is National Veterinary Technician Week, a time set aside to celebrate these incredible professionals. And trust me, they deserve every bit of praise and more! They are the backbone of every vet hospital, the glue that holds the chaos together. They are the ones with the magical touch for fractious cats, the encyclopedic knowledge of drug dosages, and the uncanny ability to anticipate my next move before I even make it.

While the spotlight is on vet techs this week, many hospitals also expand the celebration to recognize their entire staff. And for good reason! This job is a team sport. From the front desk heroes who manage a full lobby and a ringing phone at the same time, to the kennel assistants who provide love and comfort to every patient, and the practice managers who keep the whole ship from sinking—every single person plays a critical role.

So yes, let’s have the pizza parties and the sponsored swag from our wonderful industry partners. Those are great. But let’s not stop there. We can all do more than just a once-a-year celebration.

A Career Path Built on Growth

Vet techs don’t stop learning after they graduate. This profession is built on a foundation of continuous education and a relentless pursuit of new knowledge. The most dedicated vet techs are constantly seeking out specialized training, attending conferences, and earning advanced certifications. They can specialize in a wide range of fields, becoming experts in anesthesia, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, dentistry, behavior, and more. When a practice supports this professional development—whether through CE allowances, mentorship, or simply acknowledging their achievements—it shows a deep respect for their career aspirations. It’s an investment not just in the individual, but in the entire team, ensuring the highest level of care for every patient that walks through the door.

Appreciation from the Entire Team

Celebrating Vet Tech Week doesn’t have to be a top-down affair. Every single member of the veterinary team can contribute to making vet techs feel appreciated and seen.

• Veterinarians: Beyond verbal thanks, you can show appreciation by trusting your techs’ skills. When you need a complicated blood draw, let your tech take it on. When they make a good suggestion about a patient’s care plan, acknowledge it in front of the client. This builds confidence and shows you respect their expertise.
• Customer Service Representatives (CSRs): The CSRs are the first line of communication. They can help lighten the load by triaging calls effectively, gathering detailed histories from clients, and proactively preparing files for appointments. A simple heads-up—like “Dr. Smith’s appointment is here, and the client is very nervous”—can make a world of difference.
• Kennel Staff: Kennel staff are the patient advocates for the pets in the back. They can help by providing detailed notes on a patient’s behavior, appetite, and attitude. Noticing a subtle change in a pet’s demeanor and communicating it to the tech is a powerful way to show you’re a team player.
• Practice Managers: True appreciation isn’t just about food—it’s about a healthy work environment. Consider ways to improve workflow, like investing in new equipment that makes a tech’s job easier or scheduling dedicated lunch breaks. Small changes to the hospital’s operations can show you value their well-being.

Go Beyond the Pizza Party - Unique Ways to Celebrate Your Staff!

Experiences & Wellness

• Chair Massages: Hire a professional masseuse to come to the clinic for a few hours and give quick, 10-15 minute chair massages. This is a great way to help a stressed-out team unwind and feel pampered right in their own workspace.
• A “Thank You” Wall: Dedicate a large bulletin board or a section of a wall in the staff area. Provide sticky notes and markers, and encourage everyone (including clients, if you’re comfortable) to write down a specific thank you or a positive memory about a coworker. This creates a visual reminder of all the great things happening every day. Don’t forget to add online reviews, too!
• Themed “Food-Off”: Instead of a standard potluck, make it a fun competition. Have a “taco-off” or a “chili cook-off” where staff members bring their best dishes to share and judge each other’s creations. It’s a great way to have a shared meal that’s more interactive and fun.

Custom & Personalized Gifts

• Customized Swag: Go beyond the typical t-shirt. Get everyone custom scrub caps, socks with animal prints, or badge reels with funny sayings. You could also get personalized tumblers or water bottles to help everyone stay hydrated during their busy days.
• “What They Really Want” Goodie Bags: Ask your team members for a few of their favorite things—their favorite candy, a snack they can grab on the go, their preferred type of coffee or tea, or a specific brand of pen they love. Then, create personalized goodie bags for each person filled with these specific items.
• A “Wall of Achievements”: Create a dedicated space to showcase the team’s accomplishments. When a tech gets a new certification (like Fear Free), when someone completes a difficult procedure for the first time, or when a client leaves a positive review naming a specific staff member, print it out and put it on the wall for everyone to see.

Team Building & Professional Growth

• Lunch-and-Learn: Instead of a regular staff meeting, have a catered lunch and bring in a speaker or have a staff member teach a short, engaging session on a topic they are passionate about. It could be on a new medical procedure, a difficult case, or a review of a skill like placing a tricky catheter.
• Support Their Hobbies: If you have a staff member who is a runner, offer to pay for their next race entry fee. If someone loves to cook, give them a gift card to a cooking class. Showing that you care about their life outside of work is a powerful form of appreciation.
• Sponsor a “Patient of the Month”: Create a program where staff members nominate a patient who had a remarkable recovery or a particularly heartwarming story. Post the patient’s picture and story on social media or in the lobby, and give a small prize to the team members who were involved in their care.

How Upgraded Equipment Empowers Your Techs

A huge part of fostering a thriving hospital culture is equipping your team with the right tools. Just as we’ve seen the monumental shift from manual, time-consuming processes like dipping x-rays to the instantaneous results of digital radiography, it’s our responsibility as leaders to continuously provide the best technology. 

Investing in the latest medical devices, diagnostic equipment, and medications isn’t just about offering better patient care—it’s about creating an environment where your techs feel valued and empowered. By staying current, you demonstrate that you’re invested in their professional growth and committed to making their jobs more efficient and fulfilling.This forward-thinking approach is a powerful tool for retaining top talent and combating the burnout that plagues our profession.

One of the most impactful upgrades a hospital can make is to its practice management software. Cloud-based systems are designed to make a vet tech’s day smoother and more manageable. Instead of hand-writing patient records or manually calling clients to remind them about appointments, modern software automates these tedious tasks. This frees up precious time, allowing your techs to focus on what they love most: patient care and client communication. The efficiency gained from automated reminders, streamlined charting, and instant access to patient data means your team can finish on time, allowing them to leave the hospital and go enjoy their personal lives. Providing the tools that support a healthy work-life balance is a form of gratitude that lasts far longer than a slice of pizza.

Making Gratitude an Everyday Standard

This Vet Tech Week, let’s make a pact to do more. Instead of just celebrating this week, let’s commit to celebrating every day of the year. Make it a point to give a shout-out to a coworker for a job well done. Tell the receptionist you appreciate how they handled a difficult client. Thank the kennel assistant for how clean they keep the kennels. A simple, genuine “thank you” can go a long way.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not the pizza that makes the difference—it’s the people. And our teams deserve to know just how much we value them, not just for a week, but always.