“Veterinary technicians are wonderful...patient advocates and I think we sometimes...limit ourselves,” says Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, KPA-CTP, FFCP, in this interview with dvm360

A message for veterinary technicians from a veterinary technician 

Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, KPA-CTP, FFCP, owner of Chirrups and Chatter Cat and Dog Behavior Consulting and Training in Cleveland, Ohio, shares advice she hopes veterinary technicians will carry with them following a lecture she presented at the Fetch dvm360 conference in Nashville, Tennessee this past spring. In the video, Kucera speaks about the importance of self-advocacy and encourages technicians to 'find their happy.'

Below is a partial transcript, which has been lightly edited for improved clarity:

Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, KPA-CTP, FFCP: 

I understand it can be challenging out here for vet techs. I know sometimes we don't have title protection, we're working towards a lot of things as far as us being respected and just treated well. Again, title protection is a whole separate thing, but I need you to understand how amazing you are. Veterinary technicians are wonderful, amazing patient advocates, and I think we sometimes—a lot of the time—limit ourselves, and that is not something I do anymore.

I have so many gigs, and I am helping animals and people in so many ways and that's going to look different for all of you but please don't limit yourself. Many of you may feel stuck. I work with a lot of, and kind of talk to a lot of vet techs who are like, "I'm stuck here, it's like this everywhere," and they're not happy due to numerous reasons. The good news is it can feel like that but it's not like that everywhere.

And the more of us advocating for ourselves...yes, you're going to take a lunch. Yes, my scrub allowance will be part of this. Yes, CE allowance is part of our just normal, right? The amount of interviews I went on and I just had routine open-ended questions, and although I wasn't a good fit with that clinic, they then started offering CE allowance for all their technicians.

So these are things that you can do to not only advocate for yourself but also advocate for your colleagues and then also find your happy. Your thing might be behavior or it may be nutrition or end-of-life care. And that's where going to conferences like 

 is really helpful because I know we're like, “oh, we're so tired.” The idea of going to a conference is exhausting, but actually it kind of lifts you up. You get to talk to others who understand and recognize what you're going through. And you kind of get to get excited about vet med...

Videos

Vet Set Go in partnership with Antech Diagnostics has launched a veterinary shadowing contest for high school students, marking the first year the program is being offered. The winner of the 2025 Become a Vet Shadowing Contest will have the opportunity to shadow a veterinarian at West Ridge Animal Hospital in Greeley, Colorado this summer.

The contest is open to high school students aged 16 to 18 years. Entries are being accepted through July 11, 2025.

The selected student will have the opportunity to shadow a veterinarian and their team at West Ridge Animal Hospital on July 30, 2025.

 The winner will also have the chance to meet Tammi Lesser, BASc, interim president and senior vice president of strategic marketing and commercial support of Antech Diagnostics, North America. Lesser will share her career journey from kennel assistant through credentialed veterinary technician to her current leadership role.

“Vet Set Go works everyday to encourage future veterinarians across the country to make their dreams come true and this contest is here to jump start your shadowing efforts,” Vet Set Go stated in its contest guidelines.

To enter, applicants must submit a personal statement of 300 words or less explaining why they want to become a veterinarian, sharing any steps they have taken to pursue that goal. According to the contest guidelines, students may consider addressing the following

What they have done to get animal experience

What they have done to gain experience or knowledge about the science of animals

What they have done to learn more about veterinarians

Applicants should also submit a photo of themselves helping animals or spending time with one. All entries must be submitted by a student, parent, or legal guardian who is at least 18 years of age.

In 1978, West Ridge became the first hospital in the Northern Colorado area to receive American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accreditation.

 To date, the hospital stands as the only full service AAHA-accredited hospital in Greeley and has recently attained the highest level of AAHA accreditation available.

The hospital offers preventive care and wellness examinations, illness examinations, urgent/emergency care, exotic pet care, and traditional and special medical boarding.

They also offer internal medicine services, such as digital radiology, blood transfusions, ultrasound, and more. Surgical and specialty services, including advanced orthopedic surgery, laparoscopy, endoscopy, and dental services are also offered. Moreover, the hospital provides alternative medicine. This includes acupuncture and veterinary orthopedic manipulation, cold laser therapy, rehabilitation, and fitness services.

2025 Become a Vet Shadowing Contest – Colorado. Vet Set Go. Accessed June 30, 2025. 

https://www.vetsetgo.com/about/2025-colorado-shadowing-contest

Win a shadowing opportunity this summer. News release. Vet Set Go. June 12, 2025. Accessed June 30, 2025. 

https://www.vetsetgo.com/community/win-a-shadowing-opportunity-this-summer

About our hospital. West Ridge Animal Hospital. Accessed June 30, 2025. 

Articles

Aspiring veterinarians in Colorado can gain real-world insight through the 2025 Become a Vet Shadowing Contest

Veterinary shadowing contest opens to high school students

At dvm360, we believe that celebrating Pride means more than just recognizing a month, it’s about championing visibility, amplifying LGBTQ+ voices, and sharing meaningful stories that inspire lasting change within veterinary medicine and beyond.

To recognize the end of this year’s Pride Month, we have curated the content we published this month, from panel discussions to commentary articles, highlighting the importance of creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone in veterinary medicine, including staff and clients.

 for dvm360, Josh Sanabria, DVM, shared how veterinary practices can cultivate environments where people feel safe, respected, and cared for. Throughout the article, Sanabria dives into why inclusivity matters in the veterinary clinic, from the impact it can have on clients who consider their pets chosen family to a safe and respectful environment for staff to show up and be themselves without fear of judgement, bias, or exclusion, so they can focus on giving the best care.

 of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA welcomes Jennifer Scanlon, LCSW, to talk about the importance of the human-animal bond for those in the LGTBQ+ community. The duo spends the episode sharing personal anecdotes about the impact pets have had on them growing up and how these animals can potentially be the only lifeline for those in the LGBTQ+ community, so safe spaces for them to get their pets care is crucial.

 with Christman, Maria Libonate, RVT, and Leslie Soper, CVT, to talk about the importance of allies and mentorship for those with in the veterinary and LGBTQ+ community to help them grow and become comfortable sharing and expressing who they are, when it is safe, at work, how veterinary medicine is becoming more inclusive, and how veterinary hospitals can show their support.

Along with editorial coverage for the month, there is an opportunity to earn pride-themed 

on dvm360’s Flex platform! Christy Bell, DVM, explored the intersection of LGBTQIA+ identity and pet ownership, emphasizing the critical role veterinary professionals play in fostering inclusive, affirming, and culturally competent care in this webinar that is now available on demand!

Uplifting and supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community is needed year-round

Wrapping up Pride Month 

Often, practice owners aren’t aware of how much risk is shared between their personal and practice’s finances. The life cycle of any good built-from-the-ground-up practice hopefully follows this pattern:

The practice depends on its owner to see patients and generate revenue. 

The owner depends on staff to help generate more revenue. 

The owner depends on newly hired veterinarians to take ownership of seeing patients to generate more revenue and allow the owner to focus on the practice’s growth. 

The owner’s financial security for retirement depends on how much they saved during the years leading up to the eventual sale of the practice and the amount of the proceeds of the practice sale after taxes.

Meanwhile, the owner’s income is completely reliant on the performance of the business, and their retirement plan is, in many cases, nearly 100% dependent on the sale price of the business. If the owner’s retirement plan is not fully dependent on that sale, it’s because they own other assets that can generate income and the net proceeds from the sale of the business get added to that amount.

Once the business’ value is turned into cash for the seller, they are faced with the reality that now that money must be an income generator. The total from the sale is often not enough to take them through retirement at the income level they desire.

What are your practice goals, if you have any, or are you living day-to-day trying to make it through while making everyone happy, checking off the things you need to do? Most of the time when I ask what practice goals an owner may have, it’s followed by a brainstorming session of what goals they should have. This then leads us to more soul-searching for what they really want.

: We often find practice owners who are “ready to sell now” but are unaware they are not completely ready to sell. It’s scary and unknown. They know they are ready to sell but aren’t sure what exists for them post-sale.

So, what are some ways we can focus on the hopes, desires, and dreams of a practice owner so they can narrow down what’s important to them and, ultimately, line up the goals of the practice to ensure they are met?

There are many exercises that can help you narrow your focus. I will go through the one we most commonly use when we are coaching clients to find what they really desire.

Imagine yourself at the time that you sell your practice. It can be at the age of 45, 65, 85–it doesn’t matter. Forget about the financial numbers for a moment. You no longer see patients, and you don’t have any business messes to clean up. There isn’t anyone calling you with a need that only you can fill.

Think about what you are doing with your time and remember to think in the present tense. You have all the time in the world now. What’s on the list of things you now have the mental space and time to do? What is it that you’re emotionally gravitating toward doing? What gets you excited? Write them down and then prioritize them based on which ones are most important to you. What you listed as your personal goals will dictate how you accomplish them. However, the real question is, “how do I line them up with the practice goals?”

If you don’t have practice goals, the first place to start is imagining if you could snap your fingers, what would you change right now, and why? Sometimes the goals we hear from business owners are heavy. Sometimes they’re simple and easy.

The main goal for any business owner, veterinary or otherwise, is to create enough processes in the business that all employees can manage the practice entirely without the owner’s involvement, and the owner can have income that is truly passive, ie, income that pays the owner no matter what they’re doing with their time. The business continues to serve the community and run efficiently regardless of what the owner does with their time and attention.

After looking at your personal goals for after you’ve sold your practice, consider whether there is a chance you don’t have to wait until you sell the business before you can accomplish them. We often try to get our clients to take their list of personal goals and their list of what they’d change in their practice and start trying to connect the 2 lists. Creating a vision can give you the next clear steps to aligning the business’ direction toward accomplishing what you desire.

Securities products and advisory services offered through Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS), member FINRA, SIPC. OSJ: 4200 West Cypress Street, Suite 700, Tampa, FL 33607, 813-289-3632. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. The individuals associated with Florida Veterinary Advisors do not maintain specialized licenses or qualifications for the financial services provided to veterinary professionals. Florida Veterinary Advisors is not registered in any state or with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a Registered Investment Advisor. Florida Veterinary Advisors is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian. 7856149.1 Exp 4/15/2027

Check out these strategies to align practice growth with personal financial goals for a secure future.

Business financial planning: Incorporating personal finance goals with practice goals

Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Michael Tokiwa, DVM, discuss the rising costs of veterinary supplies and services due to tarriffs and inflation.

The impact of "vetflation"

On this special Friday afternoon addition of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes Michael Tokiwa, DVM, to the show to discuss the rising cost of veterinary products and services due to tarrifs and inflation, or 'vetflation.' Throughout the show, Christman and Tokiwa chat about the importance of clear communication with clients about price increases and flexible payment options, pet insurance, and to be compassionate and transparent when veterinary teams are discussing financial constraints with their clients.

Below is a transcript, edited lightly for clarity

 I want to expand on this of an issue that's in veterinary medicine, where we're calling it vetflation. You know, we're talking about tariffs, inflation and economic anxiety. So let's chat about that. I mean, how are some of these global forces showing up in the exam rooms across veterinary hospitals?

 well, Adam, it's actually showing up everywhere, because we have to talk about the basics of basics of costs, of the basic items we use, like syringes, surgical gloves, even the lab heartworm test. Everything is going up in price. And when you you're dealing with something that happened in times of [COVID-19]. The last time we really dealt with this was  [COVID-19], but, but we, we had a reason for that. It wasn't a a political thinking that is affecting a worldwide issue here. And you know, it's it's like, if you're running a petty yard and you suddenly run out of oxygen masks, what are you going to do? And the downside about this, and what I tried to explain my clients is that with these increases pricing, we have to in order to continue to provide best medicine. Unfortunately, the price is going to be passed on to the consumer, the clients. 

What's unique to our profession, though, is sometimes we actually absorb some of those prices just just so that we can continue. But that is not good for the profession, and so what I want to do is I want to preemptively let the clients know that these are coming. So the latest is that the tariffs with China are 30% so we're looking at an increase of everyday items. You go on Tiktok and you look at the Tiktok shop, they're saying, 'hey, buy this blanket now, because it's going to be 34% higher in a couple months.' So those are the things we need to seriously talk about in order to stay afloat as a business and continue to provide the best medicine. So it's hitting at every level

EDITORS NOTE: This podcast was recorded on May 8, 2025.

Podcasts

What is vetflation, and how can it impact your patients, clients, staff, and practice?

The impact of "vetflation" 

A cancer diagnosis for a beloved pet can be an overwhelming experience for pet owners. As general practitioners, you are often the first point of contact, the ones delivering the news and helping families navigate their options. Although all cancer cases may benefit from referral to a specialist, some are more critically time sensitive than others. Additionally, referring the client to the right specialist can significantly affect the pet’s outcome.

The veterinary profession is already stretched thin, with demand for services far outweighing supply. General practitioners (GPs), you should be empowered to feel confident in your role as a patient’s primary veterinarian while acknowledging what you know, recognizing where additional expertise is needed, and understanding that guiding pet owners through this journey is as much about communication as it is about medicine.

The reality is that GPs manage diverse cases, from dermatology to cardiology, orthopedics, and behavior. Expecting any GP to be fully up to date on every cancer treatment is unrealistic.

Some pet owners may have researched their pet’s specific cancer more thoroughly than their primary care veterinarian has had time to, and that is not a failure; it is simply the nature of modern veterinary medicine and the information age in which we live.

One of the biggest challenges facing GPs is knowing when and where to refer. Sending a case to the wrong specialist or delaying a necessary referral can negatively affect the patient’s outcome. For example, suppose a patient with a soft tissue sarcoma is sent to a medical oncologist instead of a surgical or radiation oncologist. In that case, 2 months might be lost waiting for an appointment, time that could have been used for definitive treatment.

Additionally, access to specialists is a growing concern. Medical oncologists often have long appointment wait times. With fewer than 150 active diplomats certified in veterinary radiation oncology by the American College of Veterinary Radiology,

 pet owners may need to travel significant distances for treatment, making early decision-making even more critical.

Top hurdles pet owners face after a cancer diagnosis

Every day counts and the sooner the patient can be prepped, the quicker they can make treatment decisions.

In addition to getting more information faster, your patient will appreciate spending less time and money on consults that they may need from other local specialists.

Your office benefits from providing care in-house, you stay involved in your patient's treatment journey and it helps strengthen the relationship you have with your client and patient.

The specialty clinic can work faster at providing treatment options when they receive a pet who has already been diagnosed and worked up.

For pet owners, the cancer journey is not just a medical one; it is emotional, financial, and logistical. Some of the biggest challenges pet owners face include the following:

Access to specialty care: Finding an oncologist, especially for radiation therapy,
can be challenging. Treatments such as stereotactic radiation therapy have gained popularity because of their shorter treatment timelines (3-5 days vs weeks of daily conventionally fractionated radiotherapy).
• 

: Many pet owners struggle with risk vs benefit decisions. They need clear, unbiased information from specialists who handle these cases daily.
• 

: Owners often worry about anesthetic risks, but it is crucial to help them understand that without treatment, their pet will die from the disease. The risk of a negative outcome from anesthesia is less than 1%.2 We must reframe the conversation to address the real risk: doing nothing.
• 

: Pet owners often hear conflicting opinions from friends, family, and coworkers: “Why would you spend $10,000 treating a dog?”, “Isn’t it cruel to put them through this?”, and “Are you doing this for them or for you?” It is important to convey to pet owners that it does not matter what
others believe but what the owner believes. Ultimately, the pet owner must be comfortable with the risk-benefit analysis and prognosis for the pet.

: Veterinary oncology treatment can be costly. A 3-day radiation treatment might cost $12,000 and be due in a single payment 3 days after treatment was started. Although chemotherapy, a longer treatment process, can be even more costly, the payments are spread out over months rather than days. Pet insurance can be a game changer for those who have it, but less than 4% of the dogs and cats in the US are insured.

 Therefore, pet owners should consider how paying for treatment will affect their lives before agreeing to treat.

: Many owners ask, “Am I crazy for treating my pet?” Some need reassurance that their decision is valid, whether they choose aggressive treatment or palliative care. Our job is to guide, not judge.

: Cancer treatments are evolving rapidly, and many GPs are unaware of the latest treatment options. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, the key is knowing when and whom to ask for help.

: Chemotherapy and radiation may require frequent visits, long-distance travel, or weeks of commitment, making treatment unfeasible for some families.

Setting expectations: What pet owners want from their primary veterinarian

GPs are in a challenging but powerful position. Clients expect you to:

• Be honest about what you know (and do not know): You do not have to know everything, but you should know where to find the right answers. It is OK to say, “I don’t know, but I know who will have clear answers.”

• Provide a clear path forward: Cancer is overwhelming. Pet owners look to you for the next steps, not just a diagnosis. Knowing when to refer and which specialist is the right one is critical.

• Present options nonjudgmentally: Your clients want to know that you will support their decisions, whether they choose aggressive treatment, palliative care, or no treatment at all. They fear being judged for whatever decision they make.

• Communicate urgency where it matters: Some cancers, such as lymphoma, progress rapidly. If treatment is delayed, a pet who could live 12 to 18 months with treatment may only have weeks left.

 This again underscores the importance of referring to the right type of specialist.

• Offer emotional support: The way you present the diagnosis sets the tone. Clients need to feel that they have a trusted guide through the journey.

• Help them understand why: Most owners do not just want to know what to do next—they want to understand why a treatment is or is not recommended. If your client has information that is new to you, let them know that you will research it or put them in touch with someone with more expertise in that area.

Veterinary GPs play a critical role in a pet’s cancer journey—not just in initial diagnosis and referral but also in guiding families through an emotional and sometimes overwhelming process. You do not need to be an oncology expert to effectively advocate for your patients. What matters most is ensuring they reach the right specialist at the right time, presenting options without judgment, and helping them make informed, compassionate choices.

Whenever possible, initiating a basic diagnostic workup, such as cytology, baseline laboratory work, or imaging, can help expedite the referral process and improve patient outcomes. Even small steps taken in advance can significantly affect how quickly a specialist can act on the case. That said, not every situation allows for it, and that is OK—the most important step is getting the patient to the right specialist without delay.

History of ACVR. American College of Veterinary Radiology. Accessed May 5, 2025. https://acvr.org/who-we-are/history-acvr/

Brodbelt DC, Blissitt KJ, Hammond RA, et al. The risk of death: the confidential enquiry into perioperative small animal fatalities. 

. 2008;35(5):365-373. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2995.2008.00397.x

North American Pet Health Insurance Association State of the Industry Report 2024. North American Pet Health Insurance Association. April 9, 2024. Accessed May 5, 2025. https://naphia.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NAPHIA-SOI2024-Report-Highlights_Public-May16.pdf

Vail DM, Pinkerton ME, Young KM. Canine lymphoma and lymphoid leukemias. In: Vail DM, Thamm DH, Liptak JM, eds. Withrow and MacEwen’s Small Animal Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2019:688-715.

One of the biggest challenges is knowing when and where to refer a client