AVMA celebrates National Veterinary Technician Week (Oct. 12-18)

(SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) October 9, 2025-Behind every healthy pet and successful veterinary practice stands a dedicated professional whose expertise and compassion make all the difference.

During National Veterinary Technician Week (October 12-18), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is joining the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) to recognize the many contributions veterinary technicians make to the veterinary profession, animal welfare, and their communities.

Veterinary technicians are the backbone of modern animal healthcare, working tirelessly across exam rooms, laboratories, operating rooms, and beyond to ensure the health and welfare of the animals we love. These highly skilled professionals bring invaluable expertise to every aspect of veterinary medicine, enabling veterinarians to focus on critical diagnosis and treatment while ensuring practices operate with maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

From comforting anxious pets during procedures to conducting vital laboratory tests and providing life-saving surgical support, veterinary technicians are the essential link between cutting-edge veterinary care and the animals-and people-who depend on it.

This year's theme, "Paths to Success: Shining a Light on Credentialed Veterinary Technician Stars," honors the diverse and inspiring journeys of credentialed veterinary technicians and the many roles they play in animal health and public service.

"Veterinary technicians, veterinary technologists, and veterinary technician specialists are veterinary healthcare teammates, and they greatly enhance the success of any practice," said Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, AVMA president. "That is why recent updates to the AVMA's Model Veterinary Practice Act included language intended to elevate veterinary technicians' roles and streamline licensing. We encourage veterinarians to maximize the integration of veterinary technicians' skills, offer them continuing education opportunities, and more fully recognize their professional value as the teammates they are."

"Every crVT is a shining star, each unique in all their qualities, and individually contributing to this constellation of essential veterinary team members," said Becki Mossor, RVT, president of NAVTA. "This year, we celebrate the unique and inspiring paths within our profession-and just a few of the stars who have helped light the way. National Veterinary Technician Week, and this year's theme, 'Paths to Success: Shining a Light on Credentialed Veterinary Technician Stars,' is an opportunity to celebrate the diverse paths of our profession, and a few of those who have helped create the way."

As part of this celebration, NAVTA is launching a storytelling campaign, "Lighting the Way: Credentialed Veterinary Technician Stars," to spotlight the personal stories, professional paths and mentors that have shaped veterinary technicians' careers. The AVMA encourages veterinary professionals and practices to take part in this campaign and share their own stories using the hashtag #VetTechStars.

In addition to celebrating National Veterinary Technician Week, the AVMA supports the essential work of veterinary technicians in many ways throughout the year. The AVMA has a close partnership with NAVTA, working together on such important topics as NAVTA's title protection initiatives to ensure the title of veterinary technician is used consistently and correctly, and encouraging AVMA members to support veterinary technicians' ability to join NAVTA and receive the many benefits they provide.

The AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) leads the accreditation of educational programming in veterinary technology, ensuring that veterinary technicians receive a proper education as they prepare to fulfill their vital roles. There are more than 200 veterinary technician programs in the United States accredited by the AVMA's CVTEA, which graduate about 5,500 veterinary technicians each year.

As research from the AVMA has shown, there is a correlation between veterinary technicians' job satisfaction and the application of the skills and knowledge acquired in their education. Other AVMA research from annual practice surveys has shown a clear link between the increased incorporation of credentialed veterinary technicians and increased revenue.

The AVMA recently created the Committee on Advancing Veterinary Technicians and Technologists (CAVTT). This committee is charged with creating resources to ensure that veterinary technicians can fully leverage their education and skills in all types of veterinary practices, and to support and advance the veterinary technology profession generally.

The AVMA has developed an on-demand CE course, titled "How well do you utilize veterinary technicians?," designed to help veterinarians discover how to fully leverage veterinary technicians and their many skills, and explore how their practices measure up against other practices and current standards.

The AVMA also provides continuing education for veterinary technicians and veterinary technician students at the annual AVMA Convention, focusing on both professional and personal growth, and offers special events geared toward veterinary technicians.

First celebrated in 1993, National Veterinary Technician Week takes place in the third week of October each year. To help celebrate veterinary technicians, the AVMA has developed free social media images that are available to download from the AVMA's website. Veterinarians can use the AVMA's veterinary technicians brochure in their practices, hospitals, or at community events to educate people about the important work of veterinary technicians, and AVMA's Empowering Veterinary Technicians resources can help clinics make full use of veterinary technicians to boost practice operations and wellbeing. Finally, NAVTA has a National Veterinary Technician Week kit to help focus favorable attention on the profession through a variety of activities.

For more information, contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA senior media relations manager, at 847-732-6194 (cell/text) or [email protected]