2013 National Veterinary Technician Week celebrates your vet's partner in pet health care

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Oct. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During National Veterinary Technician Week (NVTW) October 13-19, 2013, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reminds everyone how important veterinary technicians are to the veterinary health care team.

The week-long celebration, with sponsorship from the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), Hill's Pet Nutrition, Partners for Healthy Pets and the Ontario (Canada) Association of Veterinary Technicians, seeks to elevate public awareness of the importance of the entire veterinary team. This year's theme—"Your Trusted Partner in Lifelong Care"—focuses on how integral veterinary technicians are to the veterinary health care team and the health of America's pets.

"Veterinary technicians are often the first person a client will talk to when their pet has a problem. They help translate complex medical terms, and facilitate communications between the veterinary practice and the client," explains Dr. Clark K. Fobian, president of the AVMA. "They are crucial partners in delivering the best possible care to animals. As a veterinarian, I'm very grateful for all they do, not only at my practice but, in veterinary clinics across the country."

Veterinary Technicians often provide nursing care, patient assessment surgical assistance. They function as radiography technicians, dental hygienists, client communicators, educators, medical laboratory technicians and may even serve as the hospital or practice manager. Credentialed veterinary technicians are required to graduate with a minimum of a two-year associate degree, complete a clinical externship and pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination before being licensed.

"The credentialed veterinary technician is so much more than an assistant to the doctor of veterinary medicine," says NAVTA President Dennis Lopez, M.Ed., LVT. "Rather, the credentialed veterinary technician is an extension of the doctor, performing many critical nursing tasks to support complete patient care."

For more information on the AVMA or veterinary medicine, visit www.avma.org.

Editor's note: Podcast interview on During National Veterinary Technician Week (NVTW) available at: http://www.avmamedia.org/display.asp?sid=548&tid=207&NAME=National_Veterinary_Technician_Week_2013.

Founded in 1863 and now more than 84,000 members strong, the AVMA is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. Join us as we celebrate 150 years of education, science and service.

Incorporated in 1981, NAVTA is the national organization devoted exclusively to developing and enhancing the profession of veterinary technology. For more information about NAVTA, visit their website at www.navta.net.

SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association