Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week
We’re celebrating our incredible veterinary technicians this week for National Veterinary Technician Week! A day in the life of a Zoo vet tech is never the same. They start the day with morning rounds with the entire clinic team and animal sections across the Zoo to discuss the cases for the day. Then they have a wide range of responsibilities for each day including, administering treatments to animals across the Zoo, filling medications in the pharmacy and running in house lab work.
During animal medical procedures, the vet techs are administering and monitoring anesthesia, placing IV and arterial catheters, drawing blood for various lab tests, taking radiographs and performing dental cleanings. Other things we may accomplish in a day include assisting the keepers with medical training on various animals, performing necropsies, and taking care of surgical instruments and the hospital equipment to keep the hospital in top working order. Get to know our vet techs a bit more:
Meet Jennifer, Hospital Manager
How long have you worked at Houston Zoo? 7 years
What is an interesting case you’ve worked on? Mr. Burns, one of our Galapagos tortoises, has spent a lot of time with us at the hospital including a long stretch during treatment for complications from severe inflammation in their gut. The treatments took collaboration, teamwork, problem solving, and skill and involved advanced care including a feeding tube and a long-term IV catheter with special lines to ensure Mr. Burns could wander around without getting tangled. The months of intensive care by everyone involved resulted in a healthy tortoise who guests now get to see cruising around the Galapagos yard.
One word to describe your job: Fulfilling
What is your favorite animal? Whatever animal is in front of me at the time, but if I had to choose it would be Elephants and bats
Meet Katie, Vet Tech Supervisor
How long have you worked at Houston Zoo? 9 years
What is an interesting case you’ve worked on? Multiple surgeries on rheas which are giant birds. Having to adapt to their vitals under anesthesia, which are different than small birds and positioning them for surgery were a few of the challenges.
One word to describe your job: Dynamic
What is your favorite animal? The answer changes often, I love chimps for their intelligence and Red Pandas because they are so endearing.
Meet Jessica J., Vet Tech II
How long have you worked at Houston Zoo? 6.5 years
What is an interesting case you’ve worked on? Jaguar Tesoro had a fracture repair done with the help of surgeons and other veterinary professionals at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists. This was the longest procedure of my career, which was right around 12 hours of total anesthesia time. Although this case did not end the way we wanted it to a few weeks after his surgery, I was very proud of the collective effort we put into providing him with the best care possible. Thanks to the collaboration and dedication of multiple veterinary technicians, veterinarians, and his keepers, a very long, challenging day was managed with exceptional coordination and care.
One word to describe your job: Rewarding
What is your favorite animal? Big cats and snakes are my favorite to work with. Berani the tiger is my favorite individual
Meet Tami, Vet Tech II
How long have you worked at Houston Zoo? 4 years
What is an interesting case you’ve worked on? Multiple surgeries on rheas which are giant birds. Having to adapt to their vitals under anesthesia, which are different than small birds and positioning them for surgery were a few of the challenges.
One word to describe your job: Fast-paced
What is your favorite animal? Octopus in general, but Hasani our lion here at the Zoo.
Meet Jessica T., Vet Tech
How long have you worked at Houston Zoo? 10 months
What is an interesting case you’ve worked on? Gopher snake had a mystery bulge; surgery revealed his colon had twisted on itself
One word to describe your job: Challenging
What is your favorite animal? Lions in general, but Hasani here at the Zoo.
