By Emily Thielke

 When I first started schooling to be a Veterinary Technician I wasn’t aware just how much I would be dealing with people, instead of animals.  It became clear to me in my Intro class, and I worried that I wouldn’t be right for the job.  Having talked with many people in this field and have found out that the majority of my job will involve people, not animals.

 Making Appointments  Dealing with upset clients.  Explaining the procedure that is going to be done to the owners pet.  Explaining any kind of product to an owner to help them better take care of their pet.

 Helping people understand what the DVM is going to do.  Communicating with the staff so that treatments are done properly.  In general just giving the Client the right information they need to take the best care of their companion.

 I think the hardest part about dealing with humans will be when it comes to Euthanasia.  Euthanasia = good death  Death cannot be avoided, and the most humane way for an animal to go is through euthanasia.

 Euthanasia is a fairly simple procedure. It is just an overdose of anesthetics. Which is why you sometimes hear it called ‘to be put down’ or ‘be put to sleep’.  Dealing with the decision to do it, and following through however is not so easy.  Anyone that has had to make the difficult decision will now just how hard it really is.

 It is the Vet Techs job to explain everything to this person that is making the decision  Its hard to do. Not only because of all the side effects that can possibly happen, but also because the owner is starting a grieving process.

 We are NOT counselors.  However, it is our job to help them through this process and it is VERY IMPORTANT for us to be able to recognize depression so we can get them help.

 There are a lot of different people in the world.  Not everyone will act the same way to the same diagnoses.  We need to know how to handle  Upset People  Sad People  Angry People  Happy People  And People everywhere in between

 It is up to the entire Veterinary staff to make every single persons experience at the Vet clinic a good experience.  Because people are more likely to talk about bad situations then good ones.

 They are all important to this job. Just like they are to MANY other jobs out there.  I think a Response to Conflict is most important.

 People are more likely to talk when they have had something bad happen to them at any particular place.  Restaurants  Shopping Malls  Car Dealerships  Vet Clinics  Ex….

 And more then likely not to take their business to that location.  So it is very important, whether or not you work in t a Veterinary Clinic or a Fast Food Restaurant, to always treat the customer with respect.

 Some Include  Respecting Others  The Customer is ALWAYS right  Courteous  Helpful/Willing  Polite  Understanding  Informative But still being able to relate it in terms the client understands.

 There is certainly a lot more to learn about communicating with others.  But I have no doubt that MSB will help me learn everything I need to know to be the best Veterinary Technician I can be.  I am looking forward to helping pets, AND their Owners.