The role of veterinary technicians is integral to modern veterinary practice. Yet, across many clinics, their potential is underutilized. According to the American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) 2023 Veterinary Technician Utilization Guidelines, optimizing technician roles can significantly enhance patient care, increase team morale, and improve operational efficiency. In this article, we’ll explore eight actionable ways to empower veterinary technicians, all grounded in these AAHA guidelines, for a more collaborative and effective veterinary team.

Veterinary technicians are the backbone of any successful veterinary practice. Their role is diverse, their knowledge is extensive, and their contributions are invaluable. Yet, as the profession evolves, there’s increasing recognition that veterinary technicians often face unique challenges in the workplace. These challenges, if not addressed, can lead to burnout, job dissatisfaction, and a high turnover rate within the profession.

Our MentorVet Connect program is designed to support young veterinarians and veterinary technicians by pairing them with exceptional mentors. One of the best examples of this is the mentor/mentee relationship that Dr. Gary Marshall (mentor) and Dr. Edris Grate (mentee) have! We are close to 800 mentors and mentees using our Connect platform and we couldn’t be more excited to foster a community of people who desire to make our profession more sustainable.

Do you remember a great mentor you had as a blossoming veterinary technician? Do you wish you had a veterinary mentor as you moved through your career? Having a mentor within the veterinary profession has been shown to provide many benefits to both the mentor and mentee. A strong mentoring relationship can enhance job satisfaction, boost confidence, and improve clinical skills, ultimately leading to better patient care and a more cohesive team. Do you think you have what it takes to be a GREAT mentor?

Mentoring relationships hold immense potential for professional and personal growth, especially in veterinary medicine. However, for these relationships to thrive, a critical element must be present: psychological safety. This concept, initially popularized by Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson, is fundamental in creating an environment where mentees feel safe to express themselves, take risks, and make mistakes without fear of judgment or retribution.

As a veterinary professional, continual learning is essential to stay current with the latest medical technology, treatment options, emerging disease processes, or nursing skill tips. However, adult learning differs from high school, tech school, or undergrad educational environments. This blog explores the unique aspects of adult learning, why it differs from high school or college, and provides practical tips to enhance your educational journey within our busy lives today.

In every veterinary practice, conflicts often arise amidst the hustle and bustle of patient care, client interactions, and disagreements between coworkers. Conflict has been shown to be a key stressor for veterinary professionals, and in some cases, may contribute to veterinary burnout. Conflicts can stem from a variety of reasons, including differences in opinion regarding treatment plans, miscommunications between team members, or clashes over clinic protocols. However, what distinguishes successful veterinary professionals is not the absence of conflicts, but rather their ability to navigate and resolve them effectively.

The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and MentorVet have partnered to deliver a new mentorship program: MentorVet Lead for New Diplomates. The program is sponsored by Chewy Health, the dedicated healthcare arm of Chewy, which funded the development of this exciting new program and plans to provide scholarships to participants on an ongoing basis. Designed for ACVIM Diplomates who have become Board-certified in the past five years, MentorVet Lead will deliver the peer support, coaching, and mentorship needed by new ACVIM specialists to thrive.

MentorVet has incredible research happening constantly, and I was able to jump right into researching their new program, MentorVet Connect. This program focused on the value of paired mentorship relationships in the veterinary profession, and my job was to help evaluate the experiences of the mentors and mentees involved.

MentorVet strives to help vets and tech pursue healthy boundaries, develop professional skills, and create purpose in all they do! Dr. Sophia Leone, one of our past mentees in the MentorVet Leap program, recently shared with us how she stays passionate in her career and life.

Dr. Beth Neuman as she shares her “why” for veterinary medicine. Showing the vet community how to thrive in their journey and finding life-long passion in their work, is one way MentorVet wants to give back to our community!

Our new “Share Why” campaign is meant to highlight some of the personal experiences that have strongly shaped those in our community and the veterinary field. Read about Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, Director of MentorVet Tech and why she continues her career in vet med and how she stays passionate!

The veterinary profession is challenging. There will always be tough cases, ethical dilemmas, demanding clients, and a myriad of other stressors that veterinarians experience daily. While the profession is challenging, it can also be incredibly rewarding—particularly when we have the tools to make the stressors not so stressful! This article discusses leveraging the Veterinary Wellbeing Debrief, a tool that you can use to help your mentee process a stressful situation.

Finding a good veterinary mentor is not always easy. Read about these 7 tips to help you on your search for an amazing veterinary mentor.

Having a good vet mentor is key for succeeding in the early veterinary career. This article discusses 6 key benefits of having a vet mentor.

What makes a good veterinary mentor? In my experience working with new and recent veterinary graduates, I have identified several attributes of an excellent mentor. By improving your mentorship skills, you will be better able to support and promote veterinary well-being for early-career veterinarians.