49 Spring 2026 | Animal Health Solutions
When it clicked
I was in college studying elementary
education. One evening, while
petting my rabbit, Rorschach (whose
presence was definitely against dorm
regulations), I suddenly realized that I
wanted to work in veterinary medicine.
Soon after, I started out as a kennel
assistant, eventually became an
overnight ER technician, and now I
work in urgent care.
I love it all! The dogs with "happy tail,"
the sick cats who hate their carriers,
drawing internal anatomy to help
owners understand a diagnosis better,
even the fast pace of a true emergency.
Most of all, I love my team — the
people who cry with me during
euthanasias, don't hesitate to help
get radiographs on a Great Dane, and
aren't afraid to meow back at cats,
just like I do.
Allie Weaver
American Veterinary Group
The Why
Behind
the Work
From once-in-a-lifetime
moments to everyday
acts of care, enjoy
these real-world tales
from the tech side of
veterinary medicine.
Beyond the classroom
and the clinic
I went to college with dreams of
becoming an LVT. After my first year,
I applied to do an independent study
in South Africa…and I was accepted!
I traveled to South Africa, where my
real education began. That's where I
learned my true purpose: I am here to
be a voice for animals and advocate
for them. I studied the rehabilitation
of the southern white rhino, rode on
horseback through the bush to track
them, then bottle-fed and cared for
orphaned white rhinos and wildlife.
Working hard and being one with
animals and like-minded humans was
the most fulfilling thing I have ever
experienced. This trip truly helped me
figure out who I was and what I am
meant to do.
Sarah A Burgoon
Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center
A day in the life of a
vet tech is never boring.
It's fast-paced and
thoughtful, gritty and deeply
compassionate, sometimes
all in the same shift.
To celebrate the tireless
dedication of vet techs,
we're spotlighting stories
that offer a glimpse into
that calling — from the
spark that started it to
the moments that continue
to sustain it.
T R E AT J A R
