Vet Tech Appreciation Week Turns 31—Taking Support Beyond Free Lunches
So here we are, celebrating the 31st year of Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week in 2024. It’s a whole week dedicated to recognizing the hardworking professionals who keep the gears turning in clinics everywhere. We’ve got shoutouts, a pizza party, maybe even some branded pens! Great, right? Well, not really.
Because here’s the thing: Vet Techs don’t need just one week of recognition. They need actual, meaningful support that extends way beyond some token “You’re amazing!” moment before everyone goes back to business as usual. And here’s the kicker—many of them are underpaid, overworked, and emotionally drained by the demands of the job. Pizza isn’t going to fix that.
But let’s face it—many practice managers end up paying out of their own pockets for these small perks because the bigger stuff (like pay raises and better benefits) is often out of their control.
The thing is, vet techs deserve more than one week of gestures. They deserve ongoing support, both financial and emotional. But here’s where it gets tricky: while the practice managers may not be able to boost salaries overnight, they are trying—and sometimes that means putting in extra effort or spending their own money to show appreciation.
So, instead of focusing on what’s out of reach, we’ve gathered a list of tangible ways clinics can offer meaningful support all year round. These may not compare to a pay raise, but they can have a bigger impact on tech morale than just a gift basket or catered lunch.
Plus, it’s a two-way street—many practice managers are doing their best to show appreciation, even when their hands are tied on the bigger stuff. A little understanding of the effort they put in can really go a long way!
The Reality Behind the Stethoscope: Low Pay and Compassion Fatigue
We couldn’t do an article on tech week without addressing the elephant in the clinic. Vet Techs are notoriously underpaid for the sheer amount of physical, emotional, and mental work they do. We’re talking about professionals who handle the messiest, most stressful parts of animal care, all while putting in long hours for wages that—let’s be honest—often barely cover their bills.
And it’s not just about the money. It’s about the emotional toll. Compassion fatigue is rampant in this field. Vet techs constantly deal with sick animals, stressed clients, and life-or-death situations. The emotional exhaustion is real, and when you’re not paid fairly on top of that? It’s a recipe for burnout.
Want to Show Real Appreciation? Here’s How:
Forget the swag bags. If you really want to show appreciation to vet techs, the general consensus is to pay them what they’re worth.
But we can acknowledge that most clinics are already operating on tight budgets, and it’s not typically left up to the practice managers to hand out raises. In a recent blog, we covered some free ways to show appreciation for veterinary technicians, and now, let’s cover some more specific and actionable ways clinics can show appreciation.
1. Time Off: The #1 Request
In a recent Digitail Linkedin poll, vet techs said the top thing they value most is extra time off. And it’s not surprising—when you’re handling stressful cases all day and staying late more often than not, sometimes what you really need is a break. Offering flexibility with time off can go a long way in showing you care about their well-being.
2. Mental Health Support is a Must
Compassion fatigue isn’t going to fix itself. If you’re not actively helping your staff manage stress, you’re setting the stage for burnout—and that’s bad news for everyone, including your patients.
Offering mental health support doesn’t have to break the bank.
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Many insurance providers offer low-cost or free programs that include counseling and stress management resources.
- Online Platforms: Services like BetterHelp or Talkspace often provide discounted rates for small businesses, giving your team easy access to professional help without the premium price tag.
- In-House Peer Support: Set up peer check-ins or designate a mental health ambassador within your clinic. Sometimes all it takes is having a colleague who gets it to lighten the load.
Invest in Their Growth
No, you don’t need to fork out for an expensive conference (though that’d be nice). But how about creating more accessible learning opportunities? Pay for an online course, organize lunch-and-learns, or just send around relevant articles that encourage growth. Show them you care about their career advancement as much as you do about the clinic running smoothly.
Online Learning: For continuing education, use free or low-cost platforms like the Digitail Academy, Coursera, or VetMedTeam. Cover the minimal registration fees, or give them paid time to complete courses.
Lunch-and-Learn Sessions: Get your in-house vets or experienced techs to lead these sessions. It’s a budget-friendly way to build knowledge and show you’re investing in their development.
Leverage Technology for Retention
Modern technology can help you create lasting, tangible support for your vet techs. Platforms like Hound are designed to help clinics with recruiting, retention, and relief shift management. By making it easier for techs to swap shifts or manage relief coverage, Hound gives them more control over their schedules—one of the most valuable things you can offer to reduce burnout.
AI tools like Digitail’s Tails AI can take the load off by automating those time-consuming tasks like scheduling, record-keeping, and client communications. Less admin work means more time plus, it shows your team that their well-being is a priority, not just an afterthought.
Flexibility Where It Counts
Life happens, and vet techs are no exception. Offering flexibility in schedules helps reduce burnout and shows that you care about their personal needs, not just the role they play in the clinic.
- Shift Swapping: Let your credentialed techs trade shifts as needed. It’s simple, doesn’t cost anything, and allows them to balance their personal needs without creating chaos in the schedule.
- Condensed Workweeks: If possible, offer longer shifts over fewer days (e.g., four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour days). It gives them more time to rest and recharge without messing with workflow.
Real-Time, Meaningful Recognition
Vet techs don’t need half-hearted compliments once a year—they need ongoing, sincere recognition. If someone crushes a tough case or gets a stellar client review, acknowledge it right then and there.
- Real-Time Shoutouts: Use the group chat or even a simple breakroom whiteboard to publicly recognize when a tech goes above and beyond. Make it a habit and watch the morale climb.
- Celebrate Client Feedback: Don’t let positive reviews gather dust. Share them in newsletters or on social media, giving credit where it’s due. It’s free and boosts team pride.
Emotional Currency is Real
We talk about financial compensation a lot, but emotional currency—how valued your staff feels—is just as important. Vet techs carry one of the heaviest emotional loads in the clinic, from euthanasia appointments to guiding clients through tough diagnoses. If they don’t feel appreciated, your clinic’s culture will suffer.
Showing appreciation isn’t about one week of cupcakes, pizza, and pens—it’s an ongoing investment in your people. And the good news? You don’t need a massive budget to make it happen. You just need to care.
Let’s Rethink Vet Tech Appreciation
We can’t keep pretending that one week of fanfare fixes everything. It doesn’t. Vet techs deserve real support, real pay, and real recognition.
So, instead of slapping together another Vet Tech Appreciation Week banner, let’s make 2024 the year we go deeper. The year we start giving vet techs the long-overdue appreciation they deserve—all year long.