MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

ABSTRACT: Veterinary technicians play a very vital role in the animal hospital setting. Not only do they assist with patient appointments, but they also assist with surgeries, prepare vaccines, clean cages, groom animals, and much more. Their role is also much bigger in that they keep the operations running smoothly each day. To the people who may want to get into the field of veterinary medicine, this guide will help introduce and provide helpful techniques to successfully perform their jobs, specifically in the Mount Airy Animal Hospital, while also staying safe. The new, incoming technician should have prior knowledge on the animals that they will be working with; however, some animal hospitals are willing to train you on the job. The following workplace document will show how to work with cats, dogs, birds, and a few reptiles. Each of these species have different techniques in which they need to be handled in order to insure the safety of the technician, the animal, and the doctor as well as to decrease animal stress. The workplace document will end with showing the reader several ways to become a veterinary technician as well as different skills and traits that they should have.

READER’S PROFILE: I can see a skeptic reader being someone who is currently a veterinary technician. This person would be someone who has not been bitten or scratched by an animal and does not believe they need to read this guide/workplace document.

READER’S RESPONSE: I appreciate the work that was put in for this guide, but I definitely do not need to read this. I have been working the job for a good amount of time and have yet to get bitten or scratched. I’ve been told everything I need to know and am obviously been doing well since there has yet to be a problem. I just need to keep doing what I have been doing and everything will be okay.

D -- what is the regulatory framework for these clinics? County or state health departments? OSHA of the US Dept. of Labor? Discussion some of these requirements for oversight might help you with the reluctant reader.