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National Veterinary Technician Week – Ways to Celebrate

October 10 – 16, 2010

NVTW Press Release

Technologists and technicians enhance the quality of animal and human life through their dedication to the well being of the animals placed in their care. In Canada and the United States, the third week in October has been proclaimed National Veterinary Technician Week and in some provinces, National Animal Health Technologist Week. NVTW provides AHT/VT’s across Canada and the United States the opportunity to celebrate their professional contributions to the animal health care team.

Semaine nationale des TSA/TV

Les technologues contribuent à améliorer la qualité de vie animale et humaine, grâce à leur dévouement pour le bien-être des animaux qui leur sont confiés. Au Canada et aux États-Unis, la troisième semaine d’octobre est connue comme la Semaine nationale des Techniciens Vétérinaires et, dans certaines provinces, comme la Semaine Nationale des Techniciens en Santé Animale. La SNTV permet, au Canada et aux États-Unis, de célébrer l’apport professionnel des membres de l’équipe des soins de santé animale.

Résolution relative à la semaine nationale des techniciens vétérinaires

Attendu que les technologues de la santé animale et les techniciens vétérinaires sont des membres importants de l’équipe de soins de la santé animale, qu’ils oeuvrent en médecine vétérinaire à travers le pays, et qu’ils mettent leurs efforts à dispenser des soins de santé animale de qualité, afin d’assurer la protection de tous les animaux;

Attendu qu’il existe des programmes certifiés à travers le Canada, qui offrent les techniques et les connaissances nécessaires au travail compétent du technologue de la santé animale et du technicien vétérinaire, y compris l’anatomie, la physiologie, la microbiologie, les techniques cliniques, la pharmacologie, l’anesthésiologie, les soins chirurgicaux et médicaux, la radiologie et la formation en pathologie clinique;

Attendu qu’il est de rigueur que chaque technologue de la santé animale et chaque technicien vétérinaire maintienne son certificat, son autorisation ou son permis, grâce à l’examen national ou d’État qu’il doit réussir, à la formation continue qu’il s’accorde et au niveau élevé de probité professionnelle qu’il affiche;

Attendu que les technologues de la santé animale et les techniciens vétérinaires se joindront à leurs collègues à travers le pays, afin de sensibiliser le public à leur apport vital dans le domaine de la santé et du bien-être de tous les animaux;

Il est résolu que le Comité Exécutif de l’Association Canadienne des Technologues et des Techniciens de la Santé Animale décrète par la présente, qu’à compter de 2004, la troisième semaine d’octobre sera reconnue comme la semaine nationale des techniciens vétérinaires.

Résolution adoptée en 2004 par le Comité Exécutif de l’ACTTSA

National Veterinary Technician Week Resolution

Whereas, Animal Health Technologists / Veterinary Technicians are important members of the animal health care team, work in veterinary medicine throughout the nation, and are extremely important in the effort to provide quality animal health care to insure the humane treatment of all animals;

Whereas, there are accredited programs throughout Canada which provide intensive study of the skills and knowledge to work competently as an animal health technologist / veterinary technician, including, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, clinical techniques, pharmacology, anesthesiology, surgical and medical nursing, radiology, and clinical pathology training;

Whereas, It is extremely important that each animal health technologist / veterinary technician maintain certification, registration, or licensure through the successful completion of a national and or state examination, practice lifelong learning through continuing education and uphold high ethical standards;

Whereas, Animal Health Technologists / Veterinary Technicians will be joining their colleagues across the country to urge all to become aware of the important contribution of animal health technologists and veterinary technicians to the health and well being of all animals; therefore be it

Resolved, The Executive Board of the Canadian Association of Animal Health Technologists and Technicians does hereby declare that beginning in 1994, the third week in October be designated National Veterinary Technician Week.

Adopted by the CAAHTT Executive Board 2004

Begin planning now for…………………

NATIONAL VETERINARY TECHNICIAN WEEK
3rd week in October
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!!!

AHT/RVT’s are encouraged to focus favorable attention on their profession with one or more of the following activities.
These activities should serve to:

  • Educate the public of the vital role technicians play in the animal health care team
  • Reinforce the value and professionalism of technicians to veterinarians and the public
  • Acknowledge veterinarians for hiring technicians
  • Provide an opportunity for AHT/RVT’s to salute their colleagues for excellent performance in their work.

NATIONAL VETERINARY TECHNICIAN WEEK
TIME TO CELEBRATE

Please check with your association to determine if they have any special celebrations planned. Plan your week to feature an activity each day. Document your activities with text and digital images; and report it in your newsletter or TECHNEWS.

Calendar for NVTW Planning

February: schedule mailing of promotional material to members (newsletter, etc)
March: send press releases to media contacts
June: plan and begin promotion of activities for October
July: Start proclamation declaration (see NVTW Proclamation Planning)
August: email and encourage members to plan for NVTW
September: final contact with media with press releases and public service announcements
October: encourage members to submit their NVTW news!!!!

Promote veterinary technology at work…

Ways to celebrate NVTW:

  • Plan a special lunch day with your colleagues
    • make certificates for each veterinary technician in the hospital and hang them in the waiting rooms
    • send a card to a technician friend wishing them a happy NVTW
    • organize a lunch/ dinner meal with your colleagues, or local chapter (maybe your boss will pay)
    • frame a nice picture and a note that reads something like this: Please help us celebrate National Veterinary Technician Week by thanking the Veterinary Technicians that helped you today
  • Hang your national events calendar and or a NVTW poster in a visible location so your boss and co-workers are reminded they can celebrate with you
    • your NVTW poster is in the summer issue of TECHNEWS
    • place your calendar poster (National Continuing Education Events Calendar provided by CAAHTT) and or your NVTW poster in a prominent place. If you work in a practice, this could be in the waiting or exam room. In a corporation this could be the lunch room. If no place is appropriate at work, deliver the poster to a local veterinary hospital, high school counseling office, or a boarding kennel
  • Hang your diploma in the front office and wear your name tag
    • be proud of yourself! Share with your clients or your workmates who you are
  • Celebrate your profession with special treats each day such as chocolates, a card, flowers
    • hang post-its marked for each day of NVTW; include thank you to technicians, phones numbers, names of favorite restaurants etc
  • Wear your association T-shirt or sweatshirts to school or work
  • Make a NVTW poster specific to your clinic and host an open house, plan a colouring contest
    • Make a one page coloring picture. Use your logo, or outlined pictures of dogs, cats, horses, cows, etc. Include your association name on the top and the following information;Age group: 5 yrs & under, 6-8yrs, 9 yrs and up. (Circle one)
      Name:                                                  Veterinary Clinic:
      Address:                                               Phone number:Describe the contest: A total of __ prizes will be give out, two in each age group. Color the picture and bring back to your veterinary clinic by a set date.

      Below the picture use one full line – Celebrating National Veterinary Technicians Week (and the date)

    • plans to make a NVTW poster specific for your clinic are available here (PDF)
  • Plan a pooch parade (PDF) for your clients or hang a photo display
    • label the pictures with I love my Veterinary Technician or have bandanas for the dogs
  • Schedule a talk (PDF) at a local school or 4-H group
    • high schools and junior high schools provide receptive audiences for your message about veterinary technology. Contact the school principal, guidance counselor, or teacher you know to serve as your liason with the school. It is important to remember that this audience will require a basic introduction to the role and functions of a veterinary technician. Your association can probably provide you with a power point show, handouts or perhaps a table top display to assist your presentation. Effective communication requires the speaker to anticipate the audience’s level of knowledge and adjust content accordingly. Additionally, you should be able to direct the students to information on the location of the CAAHTT/ACTTSA recognized college in their area. A listing of these programs is found on the website as well as links to other associations that have information and audio about the profession. If you have a pet that is very calm and personable and the school permits, you can bring it along, too. This serves as a great ice breaker. Be cautious though, with younger ages, the animal tends to take their attention from you.
    • numerous opportunities exist to talk to prospective veterinary technology students and the public throughout the year. Scouts, 4-H groups, Guides, etc. often look for speakers in early spring or summer. Make yourself available by staying in contact with the leaders of these groups.
  • Set up displays at the mall, school, library, humane society
  • Contact radio, newspapers, television (local media) and arrange for an interview
    • see here (PDF) for instructions on how to do PSA’s
  • Attend a CE seminar, or organize a local chapter meeting with the technicians in your area
    • check your association’s web site for plans
  • Order promotional balloons, pins, magnets, coloring books, pens, pencils, etc.
    • check with your association or visit www.navta.net, Promo Items & Links
    • www.canadianveterinarians.net has Animal Health Week promotional material that may be useful; News & Events, Events, Animal Health Week, Promo & Marketing
  • Tell your friends and family about your profession
    • reinforce the fact you are proud of your profession and what you do
  • Call a classmate and reminisce