From her beginnings in Hawaii to her 3:00 AM workouts in Columbia, Lauren’s journey is a testament to what it means to be “all in” for pet health.

What Exactly is a VTS?

You might be familiar with Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs), but a VTS is a nurse who has gone several steps further. Think of them as the “board-certified” experts of the nursing world.

For Lauren, achieving her VTS (ECC) wasn’t just about a certificate—it was a grueling multi-year process that included:

• 3,000+ hours of specialized emergency work.

• A rigorous application involving 50–75 detailed case logs.

• Four deep-dive case reports exploring complex pathophysiology.

• A comprehensive three-and-a-half-hour exam.

“It’s all self-study. You dedicate years to becoming an expert in your focus to make yourself better for the patients, the doctors, and the pet owners.” — Lauren Johnson, LVT, VTS (ECC)

Life in the ICU: The Rush and the Responsibility

Lauren describes the world of Emergency and Critical Care as a “rush” that is hard to put into words. It’s the intensity of a stat triage or the quiet, focused hours spent re-stabilizing a post-operative patient’s blood pressure.

She shared a powerful story about a French Bulldog that had undergone airway surgery. While a casual observer might have thought the dog was just “groggy,” Lauren’s specialized training allowed her to hear that he wasn’t moving enough air. Her quick intervention led to a life-saving temporary tracheostomy.

Debunking the “Vet Tech” Myth

One of Lauren’s missions is to help pet owners understand the sheer scope of what veterinary technicians do. In human medicine, you might have separate teams for blood draws, X-rays, and pharmacy.

In the vet world? The technicians do it all.

• Phlebotomy: They are the “venous access” experts.

• Radiology: They capture the diagnostic images.

• Nutrition: They calculate and prepare life-saving diets.

• Nursing: They are the “boots on the floor” monitoring patients every single hour.

How Lauren Stays Grounded

How do you handle the high-pressure environment of a specialty ER? For Lauren, it’s all about the routine. She is a self-proclaimed “gross early bird,” waking up at 3:00 AM to work out before her 6:00 AM shift. This physical discipline helps her switch into “work mode” so she can provide the calm, expert care our patients need.

Lauren’s Advice to Fellow Techs

If you’re a technician thinking about specializing, Lauren has two words for you: “Do it.” Don’t let the fear of leaving your comfort zone stop you from becoming the expert your patients deserve.

Want to hear the full story? Listen to the full episode of Soda City Unleashed on your favorite podcast platform to hear more about Lauren’s journey from Hawaii to South Carolina and her “hot takes” on orange cats vs. black cats!