The third week of October (13th-19th this year) has been designated National Veterinary Technician Week. This provides an opportunity to acknowledge the vital role that veterinary technicians play in animal medical care and to recognize two area residents that played an essential role in developing and nurturing veterinary technician education at Colorado Mountain College (CMC). Dr. Randy Vanderhurst and Dr. Henry Kagerer were long time, distinguished faculty at CMC during the formative years of the veterinary technician profession.

Veterinary technicians are highly trained individuals that have become essential for animal care in all areas of veterinary medicine. It is important to recognize their invaluable role and the challenging work they do in a professional and compassionate way. In 2022 the Colorado Practice Act included veterinary technicians for the first time. The process of licensing began in January 2023. Now a licensed veterinary technician is recognized as a registered veterinary technician or RVT. This was an important step for animal care and was a long time in coming (over 50 years!).

Interestingly, our own CMC, Spring Valley Campus played a big role in the evolution of the veterinary technician profession. It offered one of the first veterinary technician training programs in the United States in 1968. In addition, it became one of the early accredited programs in 1975 after accreditation was established in 1973. Accreditation ensures that programs are consistently graduating veterinary technicians with the necessary skills to support quality veterinary care.

Ironically, acceptance of veterinary technicians in veterinary practice was slow in the beginning. Over time their vital role in animal care became increasingly apparent. Now it is difficult to imagine veterinary medicine without a veterinary technician as part of the care team. Building on the early foundation, dedicated individuals have worked to create specialty training programs recognized by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America for veterinary technicians. Currently recognized specialties include anesthesia, emergency and critical care, dentistry, and internal medicine. Other specialties like ophthalmology, dermatology, and rehabilitation have provisional designation. Becoming a specialist requires additional, focused training built upon the foundational education that all veterinary technicians receive.

This remarkable evolution of the veterinary technician profession required efforts of many visionaries, leaders, and teachers. Included among these exceptional visionaries are Dr. Vanderhurst and Dr. Kagerer. Their dedication and innovative teaching resulted in the CMC veterinary technician training program being ranked as one of the best in the country. Their efforts to consistently deliver a quality education that prepared veterinary technicians to enter the profession aided the development of the veterinary technician role. They also provided a lifelong influence on their hundreds of students. Many of these students went on to become leaders in their own chosen fields.

In recognition of their professional contribution, Dr. Vanderhurst and Dr. Kagerer were awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) at their annual convention in September 2024. In part, the CVMA announcement says, “Through their combined efforts, Dr. Kagerer and Dr. Vanderhurst helped elevate the role of veterinary technicians, improving the standard of care for animals and shaping the future of veterinary medicine. Their vision, commitment, and dedication will continue to influence the profession for generations to come.” More details about their distinguished service can be found at https://colovma.org/9596-2/

Please join me in recognizing and thanking all the remarkable individuals that play an essential role in caring for our animal companions. Take a moment to acknowledge them and thank them. Also take a moment to consider how our own individual actions can change the world and create a better tomorrow. Be your own visionary and support expanding the role of veterinary technicians so they can be more fully utilized in veterinary practice and provide more services. Consistent delivery of high quality veterinary care is complex. Proposition 129 is not the solution for your animal’s health care needs at this time. Vote NO on Proposition 129. 

Ron Carsten, DVM, PhD, CVA, CCRT was one of the first veterinarians in Colorado to use the integrative approach, has lectured widely to veterinarians, and has been a pioneer in the therapeutic use of food concentrates to manage clinical problems. He is also the founder of Colorado Animal Rescue (CARE). In addition to his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, he holds a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology and is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist and Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist. He practices integrative veterinary medicine in Glenwood Springs. Dr. Carsten is the 2022 Colorado Veterinary Medical Association Distinguished Service Award recipient.