American Veterinary Group gifts PTO to celebrate National Vet Tech Week

American Veterinary Group (AVG) announced the launch of its PTO initiative, “Gift of Time,” in a company release.¹ AVG wants to prioritize work-life balance and self-care by gifting all technician employees a paid half day during National Veterinary Technician Week, October 16-23, 2022. According to the release, this initiative comes on the heels of a nationwide veterinarian shortage and increased feelings of burnout and “compassion fatigue” facing industry professionals.

"National Veterinary Technician Week celebrates the crucial veterinary team members who make our work possible across the more than 100 practices within AVG’s Family of Hospitals,” said Craig Niebur, chief executive officer of AVG, in the release. “We’re proud to provide more than just pens and funny car magnets to celebrate their hard work and dedication. This year, we’re providing veterinary technicians and assistants with something invaluable—which is what they are to our entire team of over 2,000 employees.”¹

More than 100 veterinary hospitals comprise AVG’s network of hospitals. Each practice will kick off Veterinary Technician Week 2022 by presenting a signed personal letter from Craig Niebur and Christopher Smith, DVM, MAB, chief medical officer and chief operations officer of AVG, in addition to the “Gift of Time” certificate. As part of the celebration, practice managers will encourage recipients to share how they spent their paid time off by providing a postcard they can individually write on and take a picture with.

“From gracefully answering client questions, providing peace of mind with their medical expertise and drawing blood to giving warm hugs during hard moments, our veterinary technicians and assistants do it all,” said Smith in the release. “By granting a half day of paid time off, we’re providing our technicians with what they want and deserve the most—the gift of time! The investment is worth every cent, as our veterinary technicians work tirelessly to provide both clients and their beloved pets with exemplary care.”¹

Reference

American Veterinary Group launches PTO initiative for vet tech week 2022. News release. American Veterinary Group. October 18, 2022.