Broadening Horizons: Celebrating RVT Month 2024

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – the Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians of Canada (RVTTC) will celebrate “RVT Month” in October to recognize Registered Veterinary Technologists/Technicians (RVTs) across the nation. RVTTC, along with our member provincial associations, invites all in the veterinary industry to observe RVT Month each October to honor the vital role RVTs play in animal healthcare across Canada.

Since its founding in 1989, the RVTTC has witnessed immense change in the veterinary landscape, and this year’s theme, “Broadening Horizons”, highlights these developments for RVTs. The theme recognizes the profession’s growth and milestones over the past few decades, and the ever-expanding opportunities for RVTs continuing in the future. Today, there are diverse career paths and opportunities for RVTs—from clinical practice to research, industry roles, entrepreneurial ventures, and beyond, and increasing recognition for RVTs as professionals.

A Growing Profession with Expanding Possibilities

RVTs are highly trained professionals who contribute their skills across a range of veterinary specialties, from anesthesia to dentistry, shelter medicine to equine care, research to industry. Their expertise enriches veterinary practices, ensuring the highest standards of care for animals of all kinds. RVTs are formally educated, having completed an accredited post-secondary program, passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), and met their ongoing provincial registration requirements.

“RVTs are indispensable to veterinary medicine, and their roles are evolving in exciting ways,” said Cera Youngson, RVTTC Executive Director. “RVT Month is our chance to recognize the passion, expertise, skills, and dedication these professionals bring to veterinary teams every day.”

“2024 is special because it marks the 35th Anniversary of the founding of the RVTTC, and provides a vantage point to look back on past milestones, but also to look forward to opportunities for the profession.”

Celebrate RVTs Throughout October

Let’s make this October a month of celebration and inspiration as we recognize the broadening the horizons for RVTs and increasing awareness of their integral role in veterinary medicine.

Veterinary teams nationwide are encouraged to recognize their RVT colleagues in their workplaces and online, and join the celebration through national and provincial initiatives and activities. Check out the RVT Month App, which offers resources, graphics, and posters to help promote the profession.

RVT Month 2024 will feature events, activities, and contests to engage the community and highlight the essential work RVTs do every day. RVTs are invited to participate by checking out the RVT Month App, which offers resources, graphics, and posters to help promote the profession. RVTs – read on or check out the RVT Month App for events, activities and contests throughout October! Download the RVT Month App and use our prepared graphics and posters to support you in promoting the RVT profession.

Join the conversation online using the hashtags #ProudlyRVT #ThankanRVT #RVTMonth #WeAreRVTs #AskForRVTs.

2024 Theme: Broadening Horizons

RVT Month 2024 is a time to celebrate these expanding roles and inspire future RVTs to explore the wide range of opportunities available to them. As the profession broadens its horizons, RVTs are finding new and diverse career opportunities beyond traditional clinic settings, including specialized fields like laboratory animal research, wildlife rehabilitation, and veterinary industry roles.

RVTTC’s Past, Present, Future activity – to celebrate our 35th anniversary and RVT Month with our partner, Hill’s PEt N, we’re asking you for your reflections on the past, present and future of the profession.

Featured RVT videos – RVTTC will showcase RVTs on our social media channels who will speak to the “Broadening Horizons” theme – if you’d like to be featured, contact info@rvttcanada.ca

RVTTC National Events & Contests

UBAVET & RVTTC – Enter to Win Contest

UBAVET has partnered with RVTTC, for the sixth consecutive year, to celebrate and thank Registered Veterinary Technicians and Technologists (RVTs) with an Enter-to-Win Contest.

The UBAVET Enter to Win Contest is back and bigger than ever.

This year, RVTTC & UBAVET are giving away $2,500! Don’t miss your chance to win one of 25 x $100 gift cards during RVT Month in October!

The online contest opens October 1, 2024, with gift card draws every Monday ( October 7, 14, 21, 28), plus a final draw on October 31. Each week five winners will be drawn, except for the last week where we have two draws 28th and 31st for 10 winners.

Head to: https://ubavet.com/homervt-month-contest/ for all of the details.

To be entered, you must enter your information and like UBAVET’s social media. To claim the prize, you must be a member in good standing with your Provincial Association.

RVT Month Wellbeing Webinar – Oct 24, 2024

With the support of UBAVET, RVTTC is proud to present our RVT Month Wellbeing Webinar: Broadening Horizons: The current landscape and future horizons of wellness, DEI and accessibility in Vet Med with Dr. Kathy Keil on October 24, 2024. Note – this date was rescheduled from October 29.

Veterinary technologists and technicians play a vital role in veterinary practices and yet nearly half of RVTs are experiencing burnout. During this webinar, the importance of setting and preserving healthy boundaries will be discussed including strategies on how to gracefully say no and gain confidence in addressing issues with coworkers and managers.

Join us Tuesday, October 24, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern .

For more information and to register see the event page: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMuf-qsrjwvE9WvDi2UHriNQ6PSDNNH5rml

About our speaker: Dr. Kathy Keil’s veterinary career has spanned almost 30 years, and, in that time, she has gained a deep understanding of veterinary medicine through a variety of experiences in clinical practice, the pharmaceutical industry, workplace health and safety, academic research, and as a published author. Her graduate degree in psychology, multiple certificates in mental health and psychological safety, and multi-year involvement in the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) wellness committees provides her with a deep understanding of the issues and strategies to support veterinarians during occupational stress and burnout. Dr. Keil served on the CVMA Wellness Advisory Group before joining the staff team as the Director, Veterinary Wellness, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in May, 2024.

Provincial Association Events

Visit the RVT Month App or your Provincial Association Website for your local provincial events!

Below are a few highlights:

  • EVTA – many RVTs will be attending VetCon in St. John’s from November 1-3, 2024.

Partner Events

CommuniVET™ RVT PWR Event – FREE!

CommuniVET™’s RVT PWR is a half-day virtual event on October, 26, 2024 in conjunction with RVT Month. designed to support you in creating a rewarding, lifelong RVT career that aligns with your personal and professional aspirations. You won’t want to miss it because it will feature:

  • An A-list group of speakers to empower and inspire you!
  • A program enabling you to earn up to 4 CE credits
  • A chance to win some fun prizes if you attend the LIVE event
  • FREE registration (but you do need to register!)
  • An opportunity to stream sessions on-demand if you can’t attend live

Learn more and register at: CommuniVET’s website – RVT Power 2024

CommuniVET™ RVT PowerUP Fund

Participate in the third CommuniVET™ PowerUp fund contest and you could win a prize value of up to $1,500 to pursue your career aspirations!

In conjunction with the RVT PWR virtual event (October 26, 2024), we will also award the CommuniVET™ RVT PowerUP Fund scholarship during the live event to help cover the costs associated with the professional development of Canadian RVTs.

To be considered for the PowerUp fund, RVTs must describe how the financial support will be used to help enhance their skills and/or advance their career. The catch? Unleash your creativity! Sing, dance, write a poem, perform a skit, write a letter (250 words or less).

All RVTs are encouraged to enter to win $1,500 to advance their career aspirations. Apply by October 4, 2024. For more information, visit the CommuniVET website.

CVMA Animal Health Week – October 6-12, 2024 – “Animal Sentience: Feeling Beyond Words, Compassion Beyond Limits…”

Animal Health Week (AHW) is an annual national public awareness campaign organized by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. The CVMA will promote the 2024 Animal Health Week theme, Animal Sentience: Feelings Beyond Words, Compassion Beyond Limits, from October 6 to 12.

This year, the theme emphasizes the importance of recognizing and understanding the emotional and sensory experiences of animals. Throughout the week, we will raise awareness about the significance of treating animals with compassion, ensuring their health, wellness, and emotional well-being are respected and protected.

For more information, visit the CVMA Animal Health Week 2024 webpage.

National Veterinary Technician Week 2024 (American)

In Canada, we decided that a week wasn’t enough and have celebrated National RVT Month since 2017.

However, south of the border, the 3rd week of October has been set aside as National Veterinary Technician Week (NVTW) since 1993. Just like RVT Month, this is the time to celebrate, recognize, and promote the valuable contributions Credentialed Veterinary Technicians make to the veterinary profession and society.

The 2024 theme, “Credentialed Veterinary Technicians Change Lives,” is a way to showcase how Credentialed Veterinary Technicians can have a profound impact, known or unknown, on the lives of their patients, clients, colleagues, and community.

Visit the NAVTA (North American Veterinary Technician Association) National Veterinary Technician Week Website for more information about #NVTW or to download the 2024 poster (pictured) and media kit.

Resources and Images

Visit the RVT Month App for RVT Month images and resources. Below are a few highlights:

Share your activities and highlight your team! We want to see your team celebrating #RVTMonth!

Thank you to our official RVT Month Partners: