Spotlight: Get Involved!
Have you looked around the industry, from policy to support to resources, and wanted to make a difference? Did you know you can get involved at multiple levels, both local within your state and nationally?
National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) is dedicated to advancing the profession of veterinary nursing through advocacy, awareness, and professional development - and YOU can be an active participant on many levels. From membership, to joining a committee, to sitting on the board, to maybe one day being the president of the association (like our very own GVTAA Vice President and current NAVTA president, Jamie Rauscher!). NAVTA advances our profession through a multitude of avenues - each with a committee to spearhead advocacy and development - check out all of their committees here: https://navta.net/volunteer-opportunities/. You can also check out a full report of NAVTA's impact in our profession: https://cdn.ymaws.com/.../navta_2020_impact_report_v4.pdf.
NAVTA even has a Veterinary Technician Student chapter, so the next 'generation' of veterinary technicians can amplify their voice across our industry
On the local level, every state has a Veterinary Medical Board - here in GA our Veterinary Medical Board (VMB) is under the Secretary of State's Department (https://sos.ga.gov/georgia-state-board-veterinary-medicine). They oversee veterinary technician licensure, the state Practice Act, and the Rules & Regulations that govern veterinary medicine here in GA. Did you know that most veterinary medical boards DO NOT have veterinary technician representation? Thankfully here in GA, we do! Our very own GVTAA President, Jessica Sewell, sits on the GA VMB (and one day, it could be you!)
Many states also have a veterinary technician association (but not all ) that seek to advocate for veterinary professionals, liaison between legislature and locals, and provide resources & guidance - here in Georgia it's yours truly, GVTAA!
We're all in this together, and you can shine your light in so many ways. Let us know if you have any questions! Multiple GVTAA board members are involved in various associations and committees across the industry and would be happy to chat