Celebrating Veterinary Technician Week is a great opportunity to recognize the invaluable contributions of veterinary technicians and explore ways to empower them as leaders in your practice. One field vet techs often focus on is animal hospice and end-of-life care, where they play a crucial role in providing compassionate and specialized care to animals during their final stages of life. This niche recognizes the importance of providing comfort, support, and dignified care to animals and the families that care for them.

According to the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC), animal hospice is care for animals, focused on the patient’s and family’s needs; on living life as fully as possible until the time of death (with or without intervention); and on attaining a degree of preparation for death.¹

Palliative care is the active total care of patients with a life-limiting illness that is not responsive to curative treatment. Control of pain, of other symptoms, and of psychological, social, and spiritual considerations, is paramount. The goal of palliative care is achievement of the best quality of life for patients and their families.² Palliative care can go on as long as it is needed, for months and even for years.

Technician key roles

Given the sensitive nature of this work, veterinary technicians in this field need to possess excellent communication skills, empathy, and a deep understanding of animal behavior and health. They collaborate closely with veterinarians and other members of the veterinary team to provide comprehensive care to animals and their caregivers. Research from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) shows 95 percent of pet owners globally think of their pets as part of the family.³ Here are a few ways technicians can be leveraged to help cultivate that connection:

• Pain management. Effectively assessing pain levels of pets and educating families on how to accurately assess pain at home. This is especially important for geriatric feline patients and giant breed or overweight dogs that cannot make it to the hospital for regular assessments.
• Quality of life assessment. Helping families assess their pet’s quality of life and make informed decisions about their care.
• Emotional support and client education. Providing emotional support to both clients and their pets during this challenging time, while educating caregivers about the various options available for end-of-life care and guiding them through the decision-making process.
• Euthanasia. Preparing families for what to expect during this experience and assisting with the euthanasia process, ensuring it’s as peaceful and stress-free as possible for both the pet and the caregiver.

Creating partnerships between your practice and local mobile euthanasia and hospice services can greatly benefit families, pets, and all parties involved. Having a trained veterinary technician who can effectively communicate and collaborate with these specialized services can enhance the overall experience of end-of-life care for families and their pets.

Advanced education opportunities

There are specialized educational opportunities available for veterinary technicians (and veterinarians and support staff) interested in pursuing further studies in the field of animal hospice and palliative care. This type of training can significantly enhance the quality of care provided to pets and their caregivers during the sensitive end-of-life stage. Here are some options for technicians seeking higher education:

• Continuing education (CE) courses: Numerous CE courses are available to veterinary technicians interested in enhancing their knowledge in end-of-life care. These courses can cover a wide range of topics, including pain management, grief support, euthanasia techniques, and client communication.
• Workshops and seminars: Attending workshops and seminars related to animal hospice and end-of-life care can provide hands-on training, practical skills, and the opportunity to network with professionals in the field.

When considering educational opportunities, it is important to evaluate the credibility of the program, the expertise of the instructors, and the relevance of the curriculum to career goals. Investing in specialized education can not only enhance technical and verbal skills, but can also contribute to improved patient care, client satisfaction, and overall job satisfaction.

Technician utilization

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) 2022 Demographic Survey results state “nearly 20 percent of respondents said they do not feel utilized to their fullest potential and 40 percent said they do not feel fully utilized.”⁴ Efficient utilization of veterinary technicians in the care and management of geriatric patients can bring significant benefits to both the patients and the practice. Optimizing the care provided to geriatric patients can enhance client satisfaction, loyalty, and ultimately practice revenue. According to Kristen Walker, DVM, MBA, and consultant at Pet Healthcare Programs at Nationwide Pet, practices can lose nearly $2,400 a week in revenue by not efficiently utilizing veterinary technicians to perform tasks they are qualified to do. Let’s talk about the what, the how and the why:

• The what
  Specialized geriatric care programs. Develop specialized geriatric care programs that emphasize preventive care, regular health assessments, and early intervention for age-related issues. Veterinary technicians can play a key role in executing these programs, conducting wellness checks, and providing tailored care plans.
  Geriatric assessment protocols. Establish standardized assessment protocols for geriatric patients, covering areas such as mobility, pain management, cognitive function, and overall well-being. A certified hospice and palliative care technician is well-equipped to perform these assessments and provide recommendations to the veterinarian.
  Remote monitoring. Leverage technology for remote monitoring of geriatric patients’ health and behaviors. Veterinary technicians can guide clients in setting up monitoring devices and interpreting data, enabling timely interventions.
  In-house geriatric clinics. Designate specific clinic hours or days for geriatric patients. During these times, veterinary technicians can conduct assessments, administer treatments, and address clients’ questions.
  Continuing education. Provide ongoing training and continuing education opportunities for veterinary technicians to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in geriatric care, pain management, and end-of-life care.

  The concept of delegating tasks according to skill set and maximizing efficiency is a cornerstone of effective practice management. Dividing responsibilities between veterinarians and veterinary technicians in a way that leverages their respective expertise can lead to improved overall care, client satisfaction, and practice profitability. This approach is often referred to as “task delegation” or “task optimization.” Here’s how it can be applied to quality of life assessments:

• The how:
  Task delegation. Veterinary technicians are well-equipped to handle certain aspects of the care process, such as quality of life assessments and pain level discussions. These tasks do not necessarily require a veterinarian’s advanced medical knowledge and can be effectively managed by trained technicians.
  Efficient use of time. Delegating quality of life assessments to veterinary technicians allows veterinarians to focus their time and expertise on tasks that require their advanced medical training, such as diagnosing complex conditions, developing treatment plans, and performing medical procedures.
  Streamlined workflow. By delegating tasks appropriately, practices can optimize the workflow and increase the number of appointments that can be accommodated in a day, ultimately benefiting both clients and the practice’s bottom line.
  Staff satisfaction. Allowing veterinary technicians to take on more responsibility and contribute to critical aspects of patient care can boost their job satisfaction, providing a greater sense of engagement and purpose within the practice.

  Empowering veterinary technicians as leaders in your practice not only benefits the individuals themselves, but also contributes to improved patient care, client satisfaction, and the overall success of the practice. Taking the time to invest in their professional growth and well-being is a rewarding strategy that pays off in many ways. Involving veterinary technicians more actively in end-of-life care could have several positive effects on job satisfaction, employee retention, and overall well-being.

• The why:
  Increased sense of purpose. Being involved in end-of-life care allows veterinary technicians to engage in more comprehensive and emotionally impactful interactions with families. This type of meaningful interaction can lead to higher job satisfaction as technicians see the positive impact they make on the lives of both pets and their caregivers.
  Developing empathy and communication skills. End-of-life care requires strong communication and empathy skills. By participating in these situations, veterinary technicians can develop and refine these crucial skills, leading to more rewarding interactions with clients and colleagues.
  Building stronger client relationships. Providing support during the difficult process of end-of-life decisions can deepen the bond between veterinary technicians and families. This enhanced connection can lead to more positive feedback, client loyalty, and staff retention.
  Recognition and appreciation. Recognizing the important role veterinary technicians play in end-of-life care can boost team morale. When teammates feel appreciated for their efforts, they are more likely to feel valued and motivated to stay in their roles.
  Professional development. Involvement in end-of-life care can be seen as a specialized skill. Providing additional training and opportunities for advancement in this area can offer veterinary technicians a pathway for professional development, leading to increased job satisfaction.
  Emotional closure. Helping guide caregivers through the end-of-life process can provide a sense of closure for veterinary technicians as well. Being present during these moments can be emotionally rewarding and facilitate the grieving process.
  Reduced burnout. The findings from a 2020 study highlights the importance of addressing burnout and job dissatisfaction among veterinary technicians.⁵ Engaging in more fulfilling and emotionally satisfying aspects of the job, such as end-of-life care, can counteract burnout by providing a balance to the challenges and stressors of the veterinary profession.

Overall, involving veterinary technicians in end-of-life care can contribute to a more positive and rewarding work environment. By acknowledging their vital role in these moments and providing the necessary training and support, practices can foster job satisfaction, improve teammate retention, and enhance the overall well-being of their veterinary technicians; all while providing a genuine and compassionate service to pets and the families that love them.

Danielle Schloemp, RVT, CHPT, has been a veterinary technician for nearly 18 years, with a passion to provide higher education in hospice care to technicians and hospitals. As director of operations for the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC), Schloemp assists technicians and veterinarians in achieving their CHPV and CHPT credentialing. Also a pharmacy success specialist for Southern Veterinary Partners, Schloemp aims to provide the highest level of support and service to hospital teams nationwide.

References

1. International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care. (2022, 01 01). Hospice Care FAQs. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from https://iaahpc.org/faqs/
2.  The World Health Organization. (2020. August, 5). Palliative Care. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/palliative-care.
3.  Human animal bond research institute (HABRI). (n.d) Human Animal Bond Certified. Habri.org. https://habri.org/hab-certification.
4. National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. (n.d.). NAVTA 2022 Demographic survey results: Pay & Education Have Increased; Burnout & Debt Are Still Issues.
5.  Kogan, L., Wallace, J. E., Schoenfeld-Tacher, R., Hellyer, P. W., & Richards, M. (2020, Jun 12). Veterinary Technicians and Occupational Burnout.
6. Veterinary Technicians and Occupational Burnout. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32596271/