Empowering the Veterinary Care Team

The best veterinary care I have witnessed has never been the work of one person. It is the product of a team whose members trust one another, understand their roles, and are empowered to use the skills they worked hard to develop.

That belief is why empowering the veterinary care team stands as one of the four pillars of my campaign for AVMA President-Elect.

In every practice, whether urban or rural, large or small, success depends on people working together toward a common purpose. On busy days, it is easy to focus only on keeping pace with appointments, patient needs, and an endless stream of demands. Yet the way we support one another during those moments directly influences the care we provide. When team members feel respected, trusted, and valued, they are more confident speaking up, solving problems, and advocating for their patients.

Credentialed veterinary technicians are essential to that success. Their education, training, and clinical skills should be fully utilized. When technicians are empowered to practice at the top of their training, patients receive more timely and efficient care, veterinarians can focus on responsibilities that require their expertise, and practices function at their highest level. Achieving this requires clear roles, mutual trust, and a culture that recognizes the unique contribution of every team member.

Empowerment, however, must extend beyond daily responsibilities. It must include the opportunity to build a sustainable and rewarding career. Veterinary technicians and support staff deserve compensation that reflects their knowledge, responsibilities, and value to the profession. As skills and responsibilities increase, compensation should grow accordingly. We must strengthen career pathways, expand opportunities for mentorship and specialization, and create workplaces where talented professionals can envision a future worth investing in.

This responsibility begins with leadership. As veterinarians, we set the tone for our teams and our workplaces. We can foster environments where questions are welcomed, achievements are recognized, concerns are addressed honestly, and every individual feels heard. We can create cultures where people are encouraged to contribute ideas, develop their talents, and reach their full potential.

I believe the quality of patient care is inseparable from the well-being of the people who provide it. If we want excellence in veterinary medicine, we must invest in the entire team that makes that excellence possible.

My vision is a profession where every member of the veterinary care team is valued, engaged, fairly compensated, and given the opportunity to grow. When we empower one another, we strengthen our practices, improve patient care, better serve our clients, and build a stronger future for veterinary medicine.