Four paths, one passion: Licensed veterinary technicians share their stories

Behind every veterinarian, there is a team of skilled professionals known as licensed veterinary technicians (LVTs). These animal health care experts are the backbone of veterinary practices, performing a wide range of duties.

As we celebrate LVT Week, we spotlight just four of the many dedicated LVTs from inside the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), each with a unique journey and specialties. Their stories illustrate the diverse, challenging and deeply rewarding nature of this crucial profession.

Amanda Havens: From kennel to clinics

Amanda Havens' veterinary journey began at the age of 16. "I started in vet med when I was 16, working in kennels as a receptionist, vet assistant, and through tech school," she said.

With nearly 14 years at the veterinary college and teaching hospital under her belt, Havens has found her true calling in educating the next generation of veterinary professionals.

Her path wasn't always clear-cut. "For the longest time, I thought I wasn't smart enough, good enough to come here. Virginia Tech intimidated me," Havens said. However, encouragement from colleagues pushed her to apply, and she hasn't looked back since.

In her current role, Havens specializes in theriogenology, the branch of veterinary medicine focusing on animal reproduction. This specialty offers unique challenges and rewards.

"I've had everything from the tiny newborn baby in my hands after a C-section to the very old and geriatric patient that might have some form of reproductive cancer," she explained. "So, it's the full spectrum."

What Havens finds most fulfilling is the opportunity to mentor students. 

"I enjoy watching their brains tick and when they have light bulb moments," she said. "When they understand the concept of something, like the heat cycle of a dog, or an equine student who doesn't usually draw blood from a small animal, and they get it, and they're so excited."

Soni Mills: Exotic adventures in veterinary care

Soni Mills' path to becoming an LVT was paved with a diverse array of animal encounters. With 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine, Mills has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

"I was working as a kennel attendant/groomer in a local veterinary hospital in Roanoke," she said. Inspired by a coworker's journey through a technician program, Mills decided to pursue her own LVT certification.

Her career took an exciting turn when she specialized in exotic animal care. This led to some unforgettable experiences, including one particularly memorable patient. 

"I think the coolest thing I ever saw was we had a chameleon come in, egg-bound," she recounts. "We put it under anesthesia to remove the eggs and spay this beautiful little lizard. And we had a warming pad that was like an ocean blue, like a light blue, and we got the little critter under anesthesia and put it on the pad and asleep, this animal turned the color of the heating pad."

Mills knows that many people need help understanding exactly what an LVT does.

"The general population has no idea what an LVT is because they think a technician is someone who works in a lab or repairs equipment," Mills said. "We do sedation; we do full anesthesia, induction, monitoring, recovery. We prep for surgeries. We do dental scale polish, cleanings, and dental X-rays. We collect samples for diagnostic tests. You can see their eyes widen. It's disbelief, you know."

Now at the VTH, Mills finds joy in passing on her wealth of knowledge to students. "I really enjoy, at this point in my career, passing on the knowledge I've collected all these years," she said.

Danielle Carpenter: From horse whisperer to dental specialist

While Soni Mills found her professional stride in exotic animal care, Danielle Carpenter's journey to becoming an LVT began with a more traditional love for horses.

"I grew up raising Paso Fino horses, and I thought I was going to vet school and be a large animal vet," she recalled. However, a pivotal experience shadowing a veterinarian led her down a different path.

"You really like the patient care part of it, and that was what I loved,” she said. “I loved taking care of the animals. I love the technical, hands-on part of it."

This realization led her to pursue a career as an LVT instead.

At the teaching hospital, Carpenter has found her niche in veterinary dentistry. "I love dentistry. It's one of my specialties," she said with enthusiasm. "I have always liked it. Dentistry has always been fun for me. It's satisfying."

Carpenter's experience spans private practice and teaching hospital settings, giving her a unique perspective on the profession. She notes that working in a teaching hospital brings its own rewards and challenges. "It's different, but it's very gratifying," Carpenter said. "I really like the teaching aspect. I feel that, as technicians, we put such a mark on these students."

She emphasizes the emotional aspects of the job, something often overlooked by the public. "There's a lot of things that we love about it, but there's also a lot of sadness with it," Carpenter said. "I don't think people always understand that it's hard to euthanize, to be part of a euthanasia."

Despite these challenges, Carpenter finds deep satisfaction in her role. "We're growing the future of veterinary medicine," she said. "So, to me, that's a huge draw—being part of something bigger."

Meredith Padgett: Embracing new challenges in veterinary education

Meredith Padgett's journey into veterinary technology was a gradual realization rather than a lifelong dream.

"I don't think I really knew I wanted to be an LVT until I got to college," she said. "I didn't know that they had this amazing role they did."

After gaining experience in general practice, Padgett sought new challenges and opportunities, which led her to the veterinary college. 

"I had always been at a general practice and didn't want to work in emergency," Padgett said. "I wanted something with a little bit more going on, some more opportunities. And so a teaching hospital seemed like kind of the best place."

Transitioning to a teaching hospital has given Padgett a new appreciation for the educational aspect of her role. "Things move a tiny bit slower here, for sure," she said. "Because you're helping the students, you're helping them answer questions, use hands-on techniques, and get to teach."

One of the most exciting aspects of her new position has been the opportunity to expand her skills, particularly in anesthesia. Padgett recalls her two-week training with the anesthesia department: "I got to do my training over in anesthesia and getting to see a patient go to MRI on a ventilator and be, wow, you think that this is just human medicine type stuff, but here they are, we're putting this patient on a ventilator. I also got to see some spinal and some neurology procedures."

For Padgett, one of the most rewarding aspects of her job is the opportunity to help students learn and grow. "It's super exciting when they're getting this question right; they're getting the blood on the first try. They're doing these things. They're getting to go out of their comfort zone." 

Working at a teaching hospital has reinforced Padgett's passion for being an LVT. "I love it. It's super exciting," she says. "I get to do different stuff every day. I love to build relationships with clients, but I also get to love their pets. It's super fun."

From general practice to specialized care, from patient treatment to student mentorship, LVTs play a crucial role in every aspect of veterinary medicine. Their stories highlight the technical skills required and the compassion, adaptability and dedication that define this profession.

"We are lucky to have some of the most talented veterinary technicians I have ever worked with here in Community Practice,” said Jenny Marin, clinical assistant professor and service chief of Community Practice, emphasizing the critical role of LVTs. “Their amazing patient care and team spirit help us keep things running smoothly even when we, as faculty, divide our time between patient diagnosis and management and teaching our students. We could not create the next generation of veterinarians without their support."

The future looks bright for aspiring LVTs. With job opportunities expected to grow 19 percent by 2032, far outpacing the average for all occupations, the field offers strong career prospects. This growth reflects the increasing complexity of veterinary medicine and the vital role LVTs play in providing high-quality animal care. 

As these dedicated professionals have shown, a career as an LVT offers not just a job but an opportunity to make a lasting impact on animal health, education and the future of veterinary medicine.

In the words of Mills: "It's not a job, it's a career, and it's rewarding at times, and it's tough at times, but going back, I don't think I would change it at all."