MORE THAN A HITCHING POST

By Nicole LaGrange, RVT

What Is Your Passion?

How do we balance following our passion and being a team player? Technicians often become well trained at a specific set of skills because they want to be helpful and an integral member of the team. But what does this helpfulness gain for them when it comes to professional growth and interest?

Finding the balance between doing your job and following your passion is what we all seek when working in equine veterinary medicine. I hope you are in a practice that has a client base and workload that supports your interests. But if not, what is your next step when you feel tired or disinterested in the day-to-day appointments?

My answer is simple: Seek out professional organizations or education to keep your head in the game. You can look into an online continuing education (CE) program or possibly even find a certificate program that allows you to learn more about an area of interest. This can create another credential to add to your resume. The bonus of doing an online program is that you can do this from home or as time allows.

Some employers will assist with paying for some or all of the costs associated with additional education, as well as offering a portion of your daily time to study. I always recommend that you let them know in advance that you are considering additional online training/education when seeking their support with either time or money.

Although not for everyone, another avenue to help you gain new skills is getting involved with a group that supports your interest. For example, a local equine rescue, an emergency animal rescue group, or a group that lobbies for your professional interests. An example of the latter is the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians.

Skills to be gained from working with these groups include knowledge of how a non-profit group works, understanding how to work on a board with people from around the nation, assisting in planning continuing-education events as well as participating in CE events. Through your involvement in these groups you gain physical skills like how to organize a CE event, how to tie new knots, tips for sedating critical patients, or how to use a pulley system for moving a downed horse.

Work may be just work, but at the end of the day if we are able to gain new skills that enrich our work lives and feed our passion, we can always be reaching for that next goal. Who knows, after a couple years of working at these new skills and interests, you may find yourself with an entirely new career. Possibilities through new connections or areas that you would have never imagined when you started exploring your interests may open up doors to whole new areas of the equine industry.

Good luck and follow your passion!

About the Author Nicole LaGrange, RVT, began working at San Dieguito Equine Group in San Diego in 2008. She primarily worked in the ambulatory section of the practice, performing imaging and standing MRI’s. Nicole recently made the leap into industry and is now working for Dechra Veterinary as a territory sales manager. Nicole has always had a love for horses and has been riding from an early age. She learned how to ride in the United States Pony Club, and she now competes with her off the track Thoroughbred "River" in Eventing.

ABOUT THE SERIES:More Than a Hitching Post is a series being run in the AAEVT’s Newsletter Hoofbeats as well as Modern Equine Vet. Equine veterinary technicians share their stories and feelings about their profession.