When your pet needs medical care, the veterinarian often gets the credit. However, the truth is, a dedicated team of professionals works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure your pet’s health and safety during their stay at the emergency vet. These unsung heroes are veterinary technicians, and their journey to licensure is one of passion, perseverance, and dedication.

On a recent episode of “Soda City Unleashed,” we spoke with Georgia Delts, a newly licensed vet tech at CVETS, about her journey and what it takes to succeed in this demanding field.

A Day in the Life of a Vet Tech

Georgia works in the emergency department at CVETS, and as she explains, no two days are alike. While a vet diagnoses and treats the animal, it’s the vet tech who spends the most time with the patient, providing continuous care, monitoring, and support.

This hands-on role is what drew Georgia to the field. “I discovered that actually the vet tech is with the animal a lot more than the vet,” she says. This close connection with patients is a rewarding part of the job, especially when she sees a sick or injured pet make a full recovery and go home to their loving family.

The Road to Licensure

Becoming a licensed veterinary technician is no small feat. It requires a rigorous two-year program packed with diverse subjects, from large animal care to a deep dive into pharmacology, the study of drugs. According to Georgia, the pharmacology class was particularly challenging, as it required memorizing countless drugs, their uses, and dosages.

After completing their coursework, aspiring vet techs must pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). This three-hour, 170-question test is the final hurdle before licensure.

For Georgia, this process was even more challenging as she balanced a full-time job, vet tech school, and motherhood. She credits her co-workers at CVETS for helping her get through, as she could apply what she learned in school directly to her job. “It’s cool to be able to have that, to be able to use the skills you’re learning at school at CVETS, vice versa,” she says.

Advice from the Front Lines

When asked what advice she would give to someone considering a career as a vet tech, Georgia’s message was clear: don’t give up. The path is difficult, but the reward is worth it.

Georgia’s own journey is a testament to this resilience. She had to pause her education years ago to be a mom, but returned to school with renewed determination. Her goal? To get licensed so she could get paid what she’s worth and have the flexibility to take her skills anywhere.

For Georgia and her colleagues, the bond formed during long overnight shifts is what makes the job not only doable but fun. As she puts it, “You have a stat come in that just wakes everybody up, and it’s like, ‘Okay, all hands on deck!'” It’s a camaraderie built on mutual support and a shared passion for helping animals.

A Message of Perseverance

Georgia’s story is a powerful reminder that with determination and the right support, you can achieve your goals. Whether you’re a student, a parent, or working full-time, the path to becoming a licensed vet tech is within reach if you’re willing to keep pushing.

For more insights into the world of veterinary medicine or to find care for your pet in Columbia, South Carolina, visit CVETS today.