Registered Veterinary Technician

Learn what our Registered Veterinary Technicians can do for your pet:

Registered Veterinary Technicians are the RNs of the veterinary community. The title is given to those who attend an accredited college for Animal Health Technology and take and pass the Veterinary Medical Associations Board Exam. RVTs’ are educated and trained in many skills such as taking histories, taking blood, providing treatment to routine problems, and giving counseling to clients. Technical skills include: venipuncture, collecting urine, performing skin scrapings, taking and processing radiographs, and performing routine lab procedures and tests in: hematology, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis, and serology. They assist the veterinarian with physical examinations that help determine the nature of the illness or injury. Veterinary technicians also perform and maintain anesthesia, and administer medications, fluids and blood products as prescribed by the veterinarian. Tasks in patient care include recording temperature, pulse and respiration, dressing wounds, applying splints and other protective devices, and cleaning teeth. They perform catheterizations - urinary, arterial, and venous; ear flushes; intravenous feedings and tube feedings. Equipment use includes operating electrocardiographic, radiographic and ultrasonographic equipment. Veterinary technicians commonly assist veterinarians in surgery by providing correct equipment and instruments and by assuring that monitoring and support equipment such as anesthetic machines, cardiac monitors, scopes and breathing apparatus are in good working condition. They may also maintain treatment records and inventory of all pharmaceuticals, equipment and supplies, and help with other administrative tasks within a veterinary practice. The Veterinary Technician is an essential member of any good veterinary hospital.

Meet Our Registered Veterinary Technicians:

My name is Shandra. I’m a Registered Veterinary Technician. I do a wide variety of things at Rancho San Diego Animal Hospital. Everything from assisting the Doctors, to helping the other Technicians and Assistants. My favorite part of the job is being able to make a difference in an animal’s life with my knowledge and experience. I currently have 2 cats; Chowder is an 8 year old Siamese mix and Potato who is a 7 year old Siamese mix. My snake, Baby, is a 15 year old Mexican Rosy Boa and numerous fish.

I’m Kristy and I’ve been in the veterinary field for 7 years and a Registered Veterinary Technician for 3 years. Ever since I could remember I wanted to work with animals. I am currently in school to pursue my career as a Veterinarian working primarily with exotics, especially reptiles. I have been with the RSDAH family since 2006 and it has been a fantastic experience. My primary focus is to give the most compassionate care for all animals. My favorite part of the job is performing emergency, anesthetic and dental procedures. Did I mention the reptiles?! I have 3 snakes, 2 bearded dragons and my cat, Parker.

Hi! My name is Vanessa and I’m a Registered Veterinary Technician. Some of my duties here at RSDAH include client relations and education, obtaining samples for lab tests and preparing patients for surgery. What I love most about my job is being able to pass on my knowledge to owners to help keep their pets healthy; especially the rabbits. I myself have two, Monica, a Dutch mix and Ross, an English Spot. I also have a parrotlet named Scoresby. The only thing keeping me from running my own zoo is living in an apartment.

My name is Allison, I am a licensed RVT. I began my work with animals over 4 years ago as a volunteer at the Project Wildlife care center in San Diego. This is where I found my passion for the care of animals. The most rewarding part of my job is being able to help owners provide the proper care their pets’ may need to be healthy or aide in their pets’ recovery from illness or surgery. I love all my patients, even though Kitties have a special place in my heart. I own one cat named Lola, who is four years old. I also have a hamster, fish and a snake.

Hi, my name is Erica. I have been working at Rancho San Diego Animal Hospital since August of 2005. I have 3 Rex Bunnies and two cats: a 13 year old male tabby named Rocky, who is the love of my life, and a 7 year old male cat named Butter, who in the summer is usually sporting a lion cut done by our groomer Kaaren. Animals have been a passion of mine since I was a little girl. I have been a vegetarian for almost 12 years and wouldn’t hurt a flea unless it was hurting one of our pets. I enjoy getting to know our patients and their families and helping them with the best care possible.