Veterinary Nurse and Technician Appreciation Day 2022

Friday 14 October is Veterinary Nurse and Technician Appreciation Day 2022, and this year’s theme is about how vet nurses and technicians live their values every day.

We asked for you to send us photos and quotes which showcase how vet techs and nurses live their values: caring for patients, ensuring the smooth day-to-day operations, and being an absolutely integral part of the veterinary team.

Senior Nurse at Southpaws, Audrey Simento, has been nursing for 18 years, 13 of which have been spent in emergency and critical care (ECC). She credits the fast pace and ability to utilise her skills and knowledge as being the key drivers for her passion for emergency work. "I love the fast pace of emergency and never knowing what you will see next," she says. "I believe I have found my home."

She is also passionate about teaching the next generation of veterinary nurses. "There's something very satisfying about seeing the wonder and enthusiasm radiated by new nurses."

Sophie Waddell at Our Vet, Point Cook says she tries "to bring kindness, compassion, patience and humour into every consult". She finds fulfillment in building bonds with clients and their animals. "It’s so satisfying when you know you’ve helped a pet and their family and you end up creating a great relationship," she says.

Carly Webster gave a shout out to the veterinary nurses at Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital, who look after her blind, diabetic dog Ollie "like he is their own". In particular, she says, she wants to "call out Michelle and Kiah, who give extra special care to Ollie [including] lots of cuddles and photo updates."

Georgia Puttock, veterinary nurse at The Cat Clinic in Melbourne, loves cats. She does everything in her ability to make them feel comfortable (including carrying them around when they need extra snuggles). "I have infinite patience for my patients," she says. "The people are another story!"

And Dawn Gwyford, Practice Manager at Port Macquarie Veterinary Hospital, put together a collage to celebrate their vet nurses "doing what they do best".

At the AVA, we say thank you to all the veterinary nurses and technicians across the country, for taking such great care of our pets (not to mention looking after us vets)! We also congratulate the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA) Veterinary Nurse/Technician of the year, Anita Parkin, and the Student Veterinary Nurse/Technician of the year, Kristie Wallis.

For more information about Veterinary Nurse and Technician Awareness Week, please click here.