The pet connection

Teaching? Me? You've got to be kidding. Three years ago I would've laughed my head off if you suggested I'd willingly spend my days locked in a room with a bunch of obnoxious teenagers. At the time I worked as a technician in a small animal practice and I loved it. Then a funny thing happened. I started thinking about how much I'd love to share my knowledge and passion with others.

After a rough day at the clinic, I decided I needed a change, and I picked up the classifieds. I believe that all things happen for a reason, so when I spotted an ad for a veterinary technology teacher at a local high school, I jumped at the chance to interview.

In the thick of it

I nearly ripped my hair out my first week on the job. Here I was, dying to tell my students how cool veterinary technology was and these snotty twerps had the nerve to tell me they were just there for the class credit. What a waste. I just didn't understand it.

After accepting a swift kick in the rear for leaving my cozy, comfortable little clinic, I did a little soul searching. Just giving them the information wasn't working. Obviously I needed a different strategy. I decided I needed to start by building relationships with my students. Then they might be more open to hearing about my love for veterinary medicine. And most important, I was going to need to be open to learning, too.

Teaching tips

The first connections

Ultimately, it was easier than I thought. Talking about my passion for animals spurred the same passion in my students. In fact, it was a shared love of horses that helped me reach out to a student I'll call Jennifer. Her family owns horses. I'm a horse lover too, and before long we were swapping stories about our equine friends.

Jennifer came to me one day with a troubled heart. I knew she was upset, but she was reluctant to talk about it. She kept telling me she was fine, but I knew better. I asked if she had a drug problem. She confessed that she was addicted to cocaine and methamphetamine. My heart sank. An addiction is a terrible, all-consuming thing. I hugged her and offered to be there when she told her parents, but she refused. She promised to tell them that night—and she did.

Jennifer agreed to go to treatment, and with a little research I found a program she could attend and still go to school. During her treatment and recovery, I called Jennifer often, and she occasionally dropped by to visit and discuss her progress. It was a long, rough road for her, but she made it.

Second chances

I'm proud to say that Jennifer has been drug-free for nearly two years. She has a child, and she's working and going to school. She e-mails me frequently just to check in. We talk about our horses and discuss our adventures. There's no greater reward than seeing a student like Jennifer succeed.

As a teacher, I have to believe in every one of my students. Jennifer is an inspiration to me and to young people struggling with addiction. I never gave up on her, and I think that's an important lesson, whether you're in the classroom or the clinic. What kind of difference could you make if you took a little time to develop a rapport with each client who walks through the door? When clients know that they're important to you and you're willing to go the extra mile for them, it's inspiring. And whether they're students or clients, they're more apt to meet—and exceed—your expectations.

Animals help you make the connection, but it's how you care for people that determines your success in practice. After all, without clients, whose pets would you care for?

Although I never saw myself as a teacher, I wouldn't change where I am today. My students amaze me. They overcome incredible obstacles and still remain committed to their education. I never tire of seeing the look on their faces when the light bulb goes on. And of course, I really enjoy it when students, especially those who weren't interested at first, decide that they want to join the veterinary field.

Shawn Garrelts, CVT, teaches veterinary technology to high school students in Arizona. Send questions or comments to firstline@advanstar.com.