“I think most of us can agree that we were born with that undeniable connection with animals,” she adds.

After high school, Sam spent four years in the Navy on aircraft carriers, where she was able to research her educational options. She ultimately decided to attend the vet tech program at Central Carolina Community College in North Carolina.

After graduation, Sam moved to Hawaii and worked in a small animal and exotics practice. With her hands-on experience, she then went on to help build the vet tech program at Windward Community College, where she taught for over 13 years.

In addition to her role as Chief of Staff of Animal Policy Group, Sam is also the current interim treasurer for the Minnesota Association of Veterinary Technicians, and she serves as co-chair of NAVTA’s Government Relations Committee.

“Through the GRC (Government Relations Committee) we’ve been able to assist over half of the states with various initiatives advancing vet techs,” Sam explains. “And I’ve offered workshops to teach others on legislative strategies and the governmental process to change practice acts.”

Sam’s interest in advocating for veterinary technician initiatives was inspired by her teachers, who she said set a great example for their students.

“Mrs. Robinson, our lab techniques instructor, was the first vet tech to sit on the North Carolina Vet Board,” Sam says. “And that made us all aware that we advance by raising our hands and getting involved. Once I became an instructor, I knew we needed an association and legislation so I stepped up.

“I try to tell students and recent graduates that volunteering is what has brought me to where I am—not only my paid work,” she continues. “The networking, experiences, and opportunities I’ve had would never have come to my life if I had not volunteered.”

Both her volunteer and paid work has certainly not gone unnoticed, even earning Sam NAVTA’s 2023 Vet Tech of the Year Award, which is presented to a NAVTA member who has provided leadership and contributed to the association and the overall betterment of the Veterinary Technology profession.

Sam isn’t stopping there, and plans to continue to facilitate change for the future of the veterinary technician profession, with a continued focus on the regulation of credentialing nationwide.

Since most state laws allow an individual to be hired and fully trained on the job to do all or nearly all the same skills as an educated, credentialed veterinary technician, Sam says we are seeing discouragement, frustration and short careers in the veterinary technician profession.

“We must put more emphasis on the education and qualifications for vet techs and build trust and respect for every role on the team,” she explains. “As long as veterinary technicians are expected to train the same skills and knowledge they went to school for, we’ll see this hemorrhage continue.”

With the 220 (and growing) accredited vet tech programs in the country, this should be enough to keep up with the demand, but only if vet techs stay in the field for 10, 20 or 30 years. However, the average time that vet techs are spending in their career is only three to seven years.

“No number of programs will keep up with that type of mass exodus from a career field,” Sam adds.

With a prediction that we will see more push to get legislation passed—especially in the remaining states with a voluntary credential—Sam expects that more vet techs will get seats on state boards.

“My hope is that we’ll be invited to more of the tables where decisions are made,” she says. “Vet techs need to help drive change for ourselves, and not be excluded from spaces where decisions are made for us.”

“The CSRs and vet assistants have a designated week. And if you want a staff appreciation week, that is great, have one…just not in October,” she adds.

As for specific tasks and skills veterinarians should be utilizing their technicians for, Sam suggests being familiar with the CVTEA Skills List,¹ the AAHA Vet Tech Utilization Guidelines,² and your state practice act and regulations.

“These resources will allow you to create a complete picture for onboarding, training, and who is allowed and trusted to perform which duties in your hospital,” says Sam.

The veterinary community has made a lot of advancements, and vet techs are definitely on an upward trajectory. However, to keep the momentum, Sam advises that we need more passionate technicians to get involved; progress doesn’t happen on its own.

“Someone recently commented on a post about title protection and said, ‘They should fix this!’ And I replied, ‘Who is they?’” she shares.

“I am they. You are they. We all are they. If you see a path forward to improve things, be they; don’t wait for someone else to fix it. Getting involved is as easy as contacting your state vet tech association and asking how you can help,” concludes Sam.

References:

1. CVTEA Accreditation Policies and Procedures. (2024, August). Appendix G – Veterinary Technology Student Essential and Recommended Skills List. AVMA. https://www.avma.org/education/center-for-veterinary-accreditation/committee-veterinary-technician-education-activities/cvtea-accreditation-policies-and-procedures-appendix-g
2. 2023 AAHA Technician Utilization Guidelines. (2023, September 30). AAHA. https://www.aaha.org/resources/2023-aaha-technician-utilization-guidelines/