As a veterinary technician, you will find that some of the most rewarding experiences you will encounter are the relationships you will develop with your clients and their cherished pets.
You may even begin to think of many of your clients as close friends. In fact, in some cases, there will be clients whom you will see several times a week.
It is these relationships that make being a veterinary technician so special and rewarding. When you provide care for animals in both good times and bad, the bond you create with them and their owners can become extremely strong.
Unfortunately, animals grow old much more quickly than humans, which often makes euthanasia necessary.
Allow Yourself to Grieve
When a client brings their pet in to be euthanized, it is extremely heartbreaking, and while you need to be there emotionally for the pet owner, you need to allow yourself some time to grieve as well.
Never expect yourself to “get over it” quickly. It is perfectly normal for you to grieve for both the animal and its owner.
Furthermore, no matter whether the animal was young or old, you need to realize that grieving is natural.
In fact, even when you do not know the client or pet personally, you may need some time to grieve. Do not be hard on yourself. When you leave work at night and feel the need to cry, let yourself cry.
Know That You Can Make a Difference
Regardless of the reasons that clients may bring their pets in to be euthanized, you can take comfort in knowing that you have ended that pet’s suffering.
Whether the animal was terminally ill, injured or extremely old, it is now in a better place and no longer suffering.
Furthermore, you can help the pet owner and family by listening to them and offering them a shoulder to cry on. In fact, in many cases, you can cry together. By comforting pet owners in these times of distress, you can make yourself feel better as well. While you want to let your client know that you understand, it is not always possible to hold back your own emotions.
Learn about specializing as a Euthanasia TechnicianWhat it Boils Down To
Euthanasia is the hardest aspect of a veterinary technician’s job. Even when you do not know the animal or client personally, putting an animal down through euthanasia can be devastating.
However, this does not mean that you need to hide your feelings. When you are faced with such a procedure, you will want to be strong for your client; however, keep in mind that it is okay to express some of your own feelings as well.
Offer a strong shoulder for your clients to cry on, and if you feel the need, shed a few tears yourself.
Holding your grief inside will only make you feel worse.
While you may think that it will never get easier, after some time passes, it will become a bit easier to deal with.