COS - 230 - When Vet Techs Consider Leaving the Field

Dave Cowan and Jeff Backus, Emergency & Critical Care Veterinary Technician Specialists and the hosts of the Vet Tech Cafe podcast, join Dr. Andy Roark to talk about when veterinary technicians consider leaving vet medicine. Both Dave and Jeff were considering walking away from vet medicine when they met and decided to start their own podcast. Since then, they’ve learned lessons and gained insight on how to keep technicians engaged with vet medicine (and also when it’s just better to go ahead and leave). Let’s get into it! LINKS: Vet Tech Cafe Podcast Homepage Dr. Andy Roark on Vet Tech Cafe Dr. Andy Roark Exam Room Communication Tool Box Team Training Course: Dr. Andy Roark Charming the Angry Client Team Training Course: Dr. Andy Roark Swag: All Links: ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Dave Cowan BA, CVT, VTS(ECC) has been in the veterinary field for over 25 years. He has worked for an educational farm, the Animal Rescue League, general practice and emergency/specialty practices In 2013, Dave passed the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technician (AVECCT) exam and became a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care. He moved to North Carolina in 2016 and has spent time as a technician supervisor, an education and training coordinator, and was lead instructor for a Veterinary Technician Program. In 2019, Dave co-founded the Vet Tech Cafe Podcast with Jeff Backus. The podcast tackles difficult issues that veterinary technicians face as well as highlighting some of the many career opportunities available to technicians. Dave joined Action Vet Tech Services in 2020 and now works relief shifts at various practices both ER/referral and GP while also providing CE and training opportunities Dave has served on the New Hampshire Veterinary Technician board as the head of the credentials committee. He has been the chairperson of the AVECCTN credentials committee and is now one of the Members at Large on the AVECCTN Board. Dave lives in Hillsborough NC on a farm with his partner Robyn and her daughter Ruby. They have many animals to care for including goats, horses, chickens, and a donkey to go along with 2 dogs, and 2 cats., I have a one year old daughter. Jeff Backus started as a veterinary assistant in general practice in 1995 and began working in ECC in 2004. He became an RVT in 2009 and VTS(ECC) in 2013. Jeff also taught veterinary technician education for 7 years. He has been on the Board of Directors for the California RVT Association for 8 years, serving as President position from 2020-2022, and is now past President. After 4 years in academia at Tufts University, he relocated back to Southern California with his wife and began working for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. He is also a frequent lecturer and speaker with a focus on toxicology. He co-founded the Vet Tech Café podcast with Dave Cowan in 2019, talking about issues that face the veterinary technician profession with leaders in the field, and all of the amazing opportunities of the veterinary technician profession.