As a Clinic Coordinator for California, I don’t always get to travel to other states, so I was really excited to go to the Apache Nation in Arizona (AZ) as a veterinary technician. I had to miss an earlier clinic in AZ because I was very sick and couldn’t fly. Part of my excitement was not only to be part of the clinic team, but because I’m moving to AZ in a couple months. But not going to lie, I was a little nervous! I’m not a certified or registered veterinary technician, but I have been trained by some of Animal Balance’s best. Thankfully the rest of the team was amazing and so supportive! One of our other technicians, Natalya, was one of the vet techs who has helped train me over the years! We laughed so much during this clinic.
As Animal Balance team members we are taught to expect the unexpected, and AZ was no exception! On our second day, we had to move the clinic location because our building flooded! No big deal, we packed everything up in record time and then set it all back up in another building. We didn’t do any surgeries that day, but what we did do was so important. We trained on a life saving procedure for an animal and wouldn’t you know it, we were able to use that training later in the clinic to save the life of a dog in need!
We didn’t work on Monday so one of the clinic volunteers took us to a local watering hole in the river and the day was perfect. I took so many pictures and will definitely visit again once I move. Our last day of the clinic I was the only technician, and with the help of Elsa, Animal Balance’s Chief Program Officer, who helped me place a couple of difficult catheters, I nailed it! My confidence grew so much during this trip.
This weekend in Whiteriver AZ was a pivotal clinic for me as a clinic coordinator and as a technician. To be able to provide services that are desperately needed to help some of the nicest people I’ve ever met was truly inspiring for me. It was honor to be there and I can’t wait to return!
Tiffany Van Hook
Animal Balance
Note to readers: This post was from a clinic run in June 2024
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