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The Truth About Employment At Animal Hospitals!
Yes, it sounds like the perfect job for any animal lover, right? NOT!! I have been a hospital manager and technician for over 15 years and I have interviewed countless people for positions in the kennel, reception and for technicians. Honestly, 90% of all the people I’ve interviewed just “love animals.” That’s a big plus, don’t get me wrong. However, they really have NO idea what the job really entails!!
If hired, it’s usually the kennel employees that quit the soonest after hire. They didn’t realize how much bodily fluids were actually involved in the job. Pee, poo, vomit, diarrhea, eye goop, draining pus, bloody gashes, etc. This goes for tech positions, too. Now, let’s not forget the three best parts of the job (being sarcastic, of course) in all aspects and positions of this field of work.
One: Unless you’re a doctor or an experienced and/or licensed tech or manager, you’re not going to make much of a decent salary unless you‘re an owner. At least not nearly what it’s worth especially if it is a small clinic. And, the latter positions I mentioned (tech or manager) your salary most likely won’t be much to write home about regardless of your years of experience. If you work for a “big business veterinary company” like Banfield or VCA, you also have the hassle of getting permission to do simple procedures and making sure it is kosher with the Powers That Be at headquarters. Basically, you have to get permission to wipe a dogs butt. It’s NOT what veterinary medicine is about. Those big corporations are ALL about how much $$$ your clinic brings in each business day. And there’s hell to pay if it doesn’t make the grade.
Two: One has to learn to separate themselves from the emotional aspects of the job. Animals die. Animals come in sick and the family has no money to care for it. Animals are obviously being abused or neglected. It sucks. It is the worst part of the job, especially when you get to know the clients for several years and experience them having to lay their beloved family member to rest forever.
Three: Animals BITE!! We’ve heard it all, seen it all. A client can bring in a cute, little teacup Chihuahua named Precious who has never harmed a soul. Great. But when Precious is confronted with a rectal thermometer, nail clipper or a vaccination needle, little sweet Precious becomes a KILLER PERHANA . Some are so difficult that you go home with bruises and scratches that really hurt! We are trained (techs) to always protect the doctor and family from any possible harm so we get the brunt of the animals’ reaction regardless of whether it’s being pooped on, peed on, bitten, scratched, anal glands blown on us, etc.
In spite of it all, it takes a certain type of person to do what we do. We do it because we do LOVE animals and we also understand them. The majority of us put up with the shortcomings of our chosen career but in all honesty, those of us that truly love what we do deal with the smaller pay, the bites, the bruises, and all the drama that comes with it. It has its wonderful outcomes, too. Like when a really sick pet comes in and we make him better. When an innocent mama doggie about to die and lose all her pups unless she has a c-section, we stay late to help her. I’ve literally sat in dog runs and cages with real sick pets for hours just to comfort them because I knew they were not only sick but terrified. I’ve often times stayed many hours with a pet after my shift was long over. We all have. And the best part about things like that? The big wet kiss from a dog or the head-butting snuzzle and purrs from a cat when they survived their illness and get to GO BACK HOME. That feeling never leaves us. We know we make a difference. It just takes a certain kind of person, temperament, dedication, will, and certainly, love. We get it back from that. For us, that’s really our truest and most meaningful payment. That’s better than any amount of money in a paycheck. |
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Added by spitfire70 on May 8, 8:15 AM.
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