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National Veterinary Technician Week is celebrated annually to recognize veterinary technicians nationwide for their contributions to the profession. More than 30 licensed veterinary technicians work at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine.

(KNOXVILLE, Tenn.) - The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine joins the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, Inc. (NAVTA) as proclaiming October 12-18, 2003 National Veterinary Technician Week. The event is celebrated annually to recognize veterinary technicians nationwide for their contributions to the profession. More than 30 licensed veterinary technicians work at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Michael Blackwell, dean of the college, said the technicians are important members of the healthcare team. "At this veterinary teaching hospital everyone is important but the veterinary technicians are the backbone of the hospital. They provide nursing care, client communications, and when doctors or students change rotations, veterinary technicians provide a consistent contact for our patients and clients."

National Veterinary Technician Week provides veterinary technicians the opportunity to promote their profession to the public and colleagues. This year's theme, "Veterinary Technicians . . . Educated, Skilled, Professionals," focuses on the education and skills required to care for today's pets. "Being a licensed veterinary technician is a career — not just a job to go to every day," said Janet Jones, Clinic Director at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine. "Tennessee requires technicians to participate in 12 hours of continuing education and training each year to maintain a license."

Primary responsibilities in a veterinary practice involve animal nursing, administering medications, assisting in surgery, taking radiographs, performing ultrasound, inducing and monitoring anesthesia, performing dentistry, managing the hospital, and performing laboratory tests.

Veterinary technicians are also employed in biomedical research, the military, sales, industry, and education.

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Contact: Sandra Harbison, 865-974-7377 or 865-660-0255 sharbiso@utk.edu