Beyond Appreciation: 5 Meaningful Ways to Support Vet Techs During (and After) Vet Tech Week

Vet Tech Week isn’t just a time to acknowledge the critical work and contributions vet techs make to veterinary medicine.

It’s an opportunity to pause, reflect, and ask how we can be more proactive—collectively—in supporting their energy, well-being, and growth so we can continue to attract and retain these superheroes in our profession.

After a decade in clinical practice, I have so much gratitude for the RVTs I’ve had the privilege of working with. They’re a unique breed — full of grit, heart, strength, and skill — and they’re often the ones who keep everything running behind the scenes.

They’re the ones who come in on their day off because someone called out, who stay late after a chaotic day, who sacrifice lunch to help one more patient.

But just because they’re willing to do it all doesn’t mean they should. Their dedication is too often taken for granted.

What if instead of relying on them to push through because they can, we focused on being proactive in supporting their energy and well-being—so they can thrive in this career in a way that’s sustainable?

This week is an important reminder that the “resilient” ones we depend on most are also the ones who may be struggling and exhausted on the inside — because burnout often looks like thriving from the outside.

➡️ Let’s not wait until that point to make a change.

If we want to keep and attract incredible technicians, we need to move beyond appreciation weeks and start creating cultures that help them feel valued and supported every day.

Vet techs deserve compensation and opportunities that reflect their skill, dedication, and crucial role.

This week is the perfect time to start meaningful conversations about how we can do that—holistically—across all five types of wealth* for sustainable success:

1. Financial Wealth

Vet Techs:

What does “enough” look like for you? What level of compensation allows you to feel supported and secure and to live the lifestyle you want? 

Leaders:

How can you increase transparency around compensation so your technicians understand the why behind the numbers and feel empowered to identify opportunities for growth?

When techs understand how their skills and leadership contribute to the practice’s success, they’re more likely to propose new ideas and initiatives that benefit everyone — from improving patient care to driving revenue.

Example: The Senior Dog Veterinary Society provides opportunities for technicians to take ownership of an area they’re passionate about, enhancing client experiences, improving care, and creating new revenue streams.

Pet Owners:

When a technician goes over pricing, remember: their work is often equivalent to what nurses do in human medicine—yet their pay is a fraction of that.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated about finances, know they understand that more deeply than you might imagine. Please don’t take it out on them — I guarantee they share your frustration and they want to help you and your pet.

2. Time Wealth

Vet Techs:

What are the things that are important to you outside of work? What does an ideal schedule or lifestyle look like to you? Do you feel like you have enough time at work to do your work in a way that feels good to you? Do you have space to breathe and process during the day?

Leaders:

Have an open conversation with your techs about what matters most to them outside of work. Are there small adjustments you could make to their schedule or structure that make it easier to prioritize those things?

What helps them feel recharged before each shift?

Creating schedules that allow your techs to have time for the things that help them to recharge and enjoy life will have a huge ROI in helping them to feel valued and supported for increased retention. 

Pet Owners:

When your practice can’t fit you in immediately, it’s not because they don’t care—it’s because they’re protecting time to ensure every patient gets the care they deserve and that their team doesn’t run on empty.

Boundaries create better medicine. It’s a green flag when your practice does this!

3. Physical Wealth

Vet Techs:

How do you feel in your body? How would you like to feel? What could your workplace do to support your physical health?

Leaders:

How can you make it convenient for your team to support their physical health at work?

Small shifts — like providing nourishing snacks, prioritizing time to eat, offering walk breaks, and creating a quiet, relaxing space to genuinely recharge — send a powerful message that you care about your team’s overall well-being.

Pet Owners:

Sweets and treats are a nice gesture—but fresh, delicious, real foods that support energy and focus are rare and especially appreciated!

4. Mental Wealth

Vet Techs:

You are so good at taking care of anyone and everything around you. How are you doing? How do you feel when you wake up in the morning? At the end of the day? How did you imagine being a vet tech would feel and is that aligned with your reality?

If you have trouble slowing down, feel irritable, anxious, have trouble sleeping or sticking up for boundaries, or feel like you have low mood, energy, or motivation, those are all signs you may be operating in survival mode and it's time to put your oxygen mask on first. 

Leaders:

What practices can you put into place to make mental health support part of everyday culture, not just a checkbox?

Are your meetings, communication styles, and feedback systems designed to foster psychological safety and open dialogue? Checking in with your team regularly—especially the ones who seem to “have it all together”—creates space for honest conversation and shared solutions for a supportive, proactive rather than reactive approach.

Pet Owners:

Saying thank you goes a long way! Let your techs know you appreciate them. Trust their expertise—they are often the most skilled hands for drawing blood, placing catheters, and calming your pet. Your respect means more than you know.

5. Social Wealth

Vet Techs:

Do you end your day with enough energy to connect with the people who matter to you? Do you feel a true sense of belonging where you work?

Leaders:

How can you strengthen connection and belonging within your team?

How can you show that you understand and support who they are beyond their title?

Celebrating wins, practicing gratitude, and showing genuine interest in your team members as people — not just professionals — cultivates loyalty, collaboration, and joy in the workplace.

Pet Owners:

Support vet techs the same way they support your pets—with kindness, patience, and understanding. A simple smile, thank-you note, or positive review strengthens the whole team’s sense of purpose and belonging.

Our veterinary technicians are a crucial backbone of our profession.
Let’s make sure they feel valued, supported, and respected in every form of wealth—not just this week, but every day.

Let's start a conversation — leave a comment below:

What does abundance look like for you in these five areas?
Where do you think we have the most room to grow as a profession?
Leaders: what are ways you're supporting all 5 types of wealth?

➡️ Check out the How to Create A Workplace Where It's Convenient to Thrive talk in my free Beat the Burnout series (RACE-and VHMA-approved) for practical ways to strengthen team well-being and sustainable success.

➡️ And sign up for the Unicorn Vet Hospital Survey to give every team member a safe, confidential space to share honest feedback so you can "take the pulse" of your practice and have clear insights on how to best support your team.

🎉 In honor of Vet Tech Week, I’m offering 25% off my Aligned Success Reboot (ASR) —a six-month coaching experience designed to help veterinary professionals and high achievers recharge their energy, strengthen leadership, and create success that feels good and lasts.

It’s also RACE-approved for 8 hours of CE, with more to come based on participant requests.

🔹If you’re a practice owner, sponsoring a technician’s enrollment is an incredible way to show your commitment to their well-being, leadership, and growth.

🔹 If you’re a company interested in supporting the future of veterinary medicine, I’m currently exploring scholarship sponsorships to make ASR accessible to more vet techs (this is an inclusive community bringing together diverse perspectives and I don’t want finances to be a barrier) —please reach out (amelia@lifeboost.today) if you’d like to be part of that.

🔹 And if you’re a technician curious about joining but unsure how to ask for support, I’m happy to help you frame the conversation with your leader—it’s an investment in your well-being, career, and your hospital’s success.

Together, we can redefine what success looks like in veterinary medicine—because thriving teams create thriving practices. 

*Five Types of Wealth framework credit: Sahil Bloom