Summary of Celebrating our Vet Techs – The Houston Zoo:
The content highlights the veterinary technicians at the Houston Zoo during Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week. Each vet tech is introduced and asked about their zoo experience. They discuss their favorite aspects of being a vet tech, interesting cases they have worked on, and personal hobbies outside of work. They express their passion for working with various animal species and their dedication to saving wildlife.
Summary:
1. Houston Zoo’s exceptional veterinary technicians play a vital role in the care of animals and wildlife conservation.
2. The vet techs at Houston Zoo are dedicated to constantly learning and contributing to partnerships and projects that save wildlife.
3. One fascinating case involved crossmatching elephants for blood transfusions to treat EEHV.
4. The challenges and variety of species make being a vet tech at Houston Zoo rewarding and impactful.
5. Each vet tech has unique hobbies and experiences contributing to their animal care passion.
With Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week underway, it’s the perfect time to highlight the incredible team of veterinary technicians at the Houston Zoo. These dedicated professionals work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the health and well-being of our beloved animals while also making significant contributions to wildlife conservation efforts. We sat down with a few of these unsung heroes to learn more about their experiences and what makes their work so unique and fascinating.
Jennifer, who has been with Houston Zoo for five years, shared that her favorite part of being a vet tech is the constant learning opportunity and appreciation for all species. She expressed her gratitude for being surrounded by individuals with the same passion for saving wildlife locally and globally. Jennifer also mentioned her particular fascination with working on crossmatching elephants for blood product transfusions to treat a condition called EEHV. These transfusions are particularly challenging due to the unique properties of elephant blood, making for intriguing and sometimes tricky cases.
Katie, a vet tech with seven and a half years of experience at Houston Zoo, finds joy in the challenges of working with a wide variety of species. She emphasized how each day presents new and exciting opportunities to impact wildlife conservation through the zoo’s conservation programs. Katie fondly recalled a memorable case involving Nelson, an elephant who required emergency surgery after experiencing an umbilical hemorrhage shortly after his birth. The successful surgery was a testament to the dedication and expertise of the vet tech team.
Jessica, who has been with Houston Zoo for almost four and a half years, highlighted the privilege of working with a diverse range of species and the opportunity to learn new skills. She shared a recent case involving administering IV treatments to an older elephant, marveling at the trust these animals develop with their keepers. Jessica’s passion for animals extends beyond her work at the zoo, as she revealed her love for bats, particularly Mexican free-tailed bats, often spending time with her son observing them at Waugh Bridge in Houston.
Rai, who joined Houston Zoo a year ago, emphasized the importance of her role in saving species through medicine. She finds every case interesting due to the zoo’s diverse collection of animals and the variety of expertise within the veterinary team. Each day brings new and exciting challenges, keeping Ri motivated and engaged in her work. Outside the zoo, Rai enjoys reading, baking, and traveling, fueling her passion for animals and the natural world.
Tami, a vet tech at Houston Zoo for two years, expressed her appreciation for the voluntary medical behaviors that the animals at the zoo exhibit, thanks to the amazing keepers. She finds working with fish of all shapes and sizes intriguing, as she learned to do anesthesia and medical treatments on these aquatic creatures. Apart from her work, Tami enjoys traveling, reading, and scuba diving, further nurturing her love for adventure and the wonders of the natural world.
In conclusion, the veterinary technicians at the Houston Zoo are truly remarkable individuals who play a crucial role in the care of animals and the preservation of wildlife. Their dedication, expertise, and passion for animals are evident in every case they work on. From crossmatching elephants for blood transfusions to performing medical treatments on fish, these vet techs continually challenge themselves to provide the best care possible. Their love for animals extends beyond the zoo, as each technician has unique hobbies and experiences contributing to their deep connection with nature. Let’s celebrate and appreciate these unsung heroes during Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week and beyond!
