Veterinary Technician Week

27 Ways To Celebrate!

National Veterinary Technician Week is coming up soon! This year it is October 10th to the 16th of 2010.

Its always hard to come up with new ideas on how to keep this week special.  Here is a list of 27 ideas that you can use to help appreciate the vet techs in your life!

1.  Firing Your Worst Clients

I think we can all find at least one client at our clinics that seem especially hard on the techs.  Why not take this week to place a call to them and let them know that they need to find new techs to rag on.

2.  Put Article in Local Newspaper (the other clinics won't)

A nice little article submitted to the newspaper is a great way to celebrate.  Mention its National Veterinary Technician Week and that you are honoring your vet techs! Its also great advertising for the clinic.

3. A FULL Hour for Lunch

When was the last time the veterinary technicians actually got a full hour for lunch.  This might seem small, but a full hour for lunch is a nice little luxury.

4.  Homemade Cake

Make a homemade cake and put all the vet techs names on top! Homemade sweets are always the best.

5.  In Clinic Massages

Why not bring in a masseuse for the afternoon and give everyone a  nice massage.  This is better than a gift certificate for a massage because these often go unused.

6.  Extra Day of Vacation

Although often not possible, this is a great way to show how appreciated we are.

7.  You Might Be a Vet Tech If

Buy them a you might the You Might Be a Vet Tech If T-shirt.  A fun way to celebrate those who help you through the year. You can see them here: You Might Be a Vet Tech

8.  Take Them Out to Dinner

I'm not talking about McDonald's.  You have to take them out to a nice sit down restaurant that does not have the menu on the wall.

9.  Designated Vet Tech Parking

Why not continue it year round with a vet tech of the month parking spot.  You can even get a nice little sign made.

10.  Catering for the Whole Week

No more Lean Cuisine lunches, why not have a different restaurant catered in everyday this week.  I'm sure even you would like a break from the normal lunch.

11.  Vets Cook for the Vet Techs

If you don't want to cater, then why not cook at home and bring it in for lunch.  Home cooking always tastes better anyways.

12.  Ice Cream Cake from Diary Queen

Okay, this is one of my favorites, so I had to through it in there.  If you have never had one of these, I highly recommend you try it this week.

13.  Techs Can Actually Take Assigned Breaks

Forget about the lunches, massages, and gifts, just let us take our assigned break time this week.  A nice change of pace from going hard all day.

14.  Gift Cards and Certificates

A nice $25 gift card to our favorite stores is always nice and it shows you've been listening when we talk to you about our favorite things during all those surgeries.

15.  Spa

A day of beauty is always needed and appreciated.  Even if its just for a mani and a pedi.

16.  Gift Tote

A tote filled with new vet tech supplies, stethoscope, thermometer, bandage scissors, etc.

17. New Set of Scrub

Although it might seem like we have every pattern imaginable, why not give us a new pair.

18. New Text Book

Why not get them a new updated version of the latest vet tech books to read.

19.  New Orthopedic Shoes

Being on your feet all day can be exhausting.  Having a nice pair of supportive shoes make a big difference in energy and attitude.

20.  A Clean Break Room

A clean break room with no storage supplies or old magazines would be great, or how about going a step further and getting a new set of tables and chairs.

21.  Ipod Nanos

Great to listen to when cleaning up after a long hard day, or for doing your morning rounds.

22.  Get a Clinic Ice Cream Machine

There's nothing like fresh ice cream everyday. Plus you can make almost any flavor you can think of.  You only have to fight over who's turn is it to clean the machine.

23.  An easier to use clinic software management software

I don't think I need to elaborate on this one.  Lets get one where it is easy to refill prescriptions and print out labels!

24.  Provide Scrub Cleaning Service

No one likes taking dirty work clothes home.  Why not provide a laundry service in the clinic that everyone can use.

25.  Chocolates

A good standby gift for any occasion.  Just make sure they are not from the gas station, because you only remembered it was vet tech week this morning while driving to work.

26.  Try and close on time that day

I can always hope, but it rarely happens.  But you could at least promise them that their is a good possibility that the clinic will close on time today.

27.  Hire an Assistant

Why not finally hire that assistant you have been talking about to do the menial tasks so we can do what we were trained to do as registered veterinary technicians.

Please visit my main blog to read more of my rantings: Vet Tech Blog