Quick Answer: What Is Vet Tech Week?
Vet Tech Week, officially called National Veterinary Technician Week (NVTW), is an annual event in the United States, taking place during the third week of October. Administered by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), it honors credentialed veterinary technicians who work in animal hospitals by providing medical care, anesthesia monitoring, laboratory work, and client education.
All around good information:
Recognizes the skills and commitment of RVTs, LVTs, and CVTs
Creates awareness of the veterinary technician profession
A great time to recognize your staff and boost the morale in the clinic
When Is Vet Tech Week 2025? Dates by Country
USA: Vet Tech Week (NVTW) — Oct 12–18, 2025
Each year, the National Veterinary Technician Week is celebrated during the third week of October. In 2025, the dates of celebration will be Sunday, October 12 to Saturday, October 18. NAVTA releases the theme of the annual celebration in late spring.
Canada: RVT Month — October 2025
Throughout October, Canadian veterinary teams observe Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) Month. This entire month celebrates RVTs from coast to coast.
UK: Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month — May 2025
May is when the United Kingdom observes Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month (VNAM). This special month is sponsored by the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) and Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
Australia: Vet Nurse Day — Oct 10, 2025
Australia acknowledges Veterinary Nurse Day on the second Friday in October. For 2025, it’s October 10. This unique day is celebrated with the veterinary nurses’ council of Australia (VNCA).
Germany: TFA Recognition — No Official National Week
Germany observes Tiermedizinische Fachangestellte (TFAs) as a recognized profession, but there is no nationally designated week. Clinics may choose to identify their teams at any time.
Dates at a Glance:
| Country | Observance | 2025 Timing |
| USA | Vet Tech Week (NVTW) | Oct 12–18, 2025 |
| Canada | RVT Month | October 2025 |
| UK | VNAM | May 2025 |
| Australia | Vet Nurse Day | Oct 10, 2025 |
| Germany | TFA recognition | No official week |
Why Vet Tech Week Matters
The Role of Vet Techs
Veterinary technicians play a vital role in animal hospitals. They perform patient care duties such as placing IV catheters, monitoring anesthesia, running lab tests, taking radiographs, and educating pet owners on medications and follow-up care. If a pet is to be healthy and safe, veterinary technicians work with veterinarians to achieve that outcome.
Who Organizes NVTW?
National Veterinary Technician Week was established in 1993 by NAVTA. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) also promote this week by providing toolkits and resources.
Benefits to Clinics and Pet Owners
Recognizing Vet Tech Week lifts team spirit and increases staff retention. When a technician feels appreciated, they provide greater patient care. Pet owners see the difference as well—happy teams create an inviting clinic environment and foster client trust.
How To Celebrate Vet Tech Week (7-Step Plan)
- Follow the following steps to plan for a meaningful week:
- Set your budget – Figure out what your budget will be (even $50 will go a long way)
- Choose a theme for each day – Plan something different for each day (food, spotlights, games)
- Secure sponsorships/vendor support – Ask pet food reps and local bakeries to donate lunches or treats
- Plan your spotlights – Make a plan to showcase one tech each day via social media or on clinic walls
- Pre-write social media posts – Write your captions ahead of time and schedule posts
- Plan small gifts or a CE course – Order a small token gift or prepare a CE hour at work
- Publicly thank your team – Post a group photo of the team and thank-you note on your clinic’s social pages
7-Day Celebration Schedule (Copy-and-Use)
Day 1 (Sunday): Kickoff + Team Breakfast + Welcome Cards
Kick the week off with a unique breakfast or brunch. Place handwritten welcome cards at each techs’ workstation. If you are closed on Sunday, switch this to Monday morning.
Day 2 (Monday): Staff Spotlights + Clinic Wall/Posters
Spotlight one tech on your clinic’s Facebook or Instagram. Post a photo of the tech with a brief bio stating what they love most about their job. Create posters for your waiting room that say, “We appreciate our vet techs!”
Day 3 (Tuesday): Vendor Lunch + Raffle
Ask the representative of a pet food or supply company to provide lunch for your team. Consider doing a small raffle and provide gift cards, water bottles, or tote bags as prizes.
Day 4 (Wednesday): Client “Thank-You” Board + Photo Booth
Provide a poster board in the waiting room for clients to write messages of thanks for your techs. Set up a quick and easy photo booth spot with props, and ask clients to take selfies with their pets and with your team.
Day 5 (Thursday): CE Hour or Micro-Training + Coffee Run
Organize a one-hour continuing education session during lunchtime or after working hours. Consider including a presentation on Fear Free techniques, new laboratory equipment, or compassion fatigue strategies. Invite the team to be part of a coffee run afterwards.
Day 6 (Friday): Wellness Break + Small Gifts
Give people a 15-minute wellness break to stretch, get some fresh air, or relax. Include small gifts like a personalized pen, coffee mug, or self-care item for each attendee.
Day 7 (Saturday): Public Thank-You Post + Certificates
Conclude the week with a picture of the whole team for social media, thanking your veterinary technicians and tagging each of them (after receiving permission). You might also consider offering a printable certificate of appreciation for each veterinary technician.
Budget Planner and Sponsors
Under $100: Handwritten Notes, Team Treats, DIY Posters
Even a little budget is fine. Write nice little notes to each tech; fill the break room with donuts or bagels one morning; print a free poster from the NAVTA or AVMA website.
$100–$500: Gift Cards, Catered Lunch, Small Swag
At this range, you can give gift cards of $10 – $25 per person, order a catered lunch, or buy clinic-branded t-shirts or tumblers.
$500+: CE Stipend, Extra PTO Hour, Custom Gifts
With a bigger budget, you can do something bigger like a $50 – $100 continuing education stipend per tech, an hour of extra paid time off, or custom name tags for the stethoscopes and nice gifts.
Vendor and Local Sponsor Ideas
- Things to think about contacting in your area, and even perhaps when hosting a lunch gathering:
- – Pet food and supply reps (Hill’s, Royal Canin, Purina) for lunch sponsorship
- – Local bakeries for donated cakes or cupcakes
- – Coffee shops for gift cards or sponsored catering
- – Pet stores for sponsored swag bags and raffle items after a lunch event
Budget Planning Table:
| Budget Level | What You Can Do | Tips |
| Under $100 | Notes, treats, DIY posters | Focus on heartfelt gestures |
| $100–$500 | Gift cards, catered lunch, swag | Split budget across 7 days |
| $500+ | CE stipend, PTO, custom gifts | Combine big and small touches |
Gift Ideas, Thank-You Messages, and Quotes
Gifts by Budget
Under $20:
- Customized pens or badge reels
- Coffee mugs with vet tech sayings
- Succulent plants
- Lip balm or hand lotion gift sets
- Fun socks with paw prints
$20–$50:
- Insulated tumblers with a name on it
- Stethoscope name tags (engraved)
- Comfort clogs or shoe insoles
- Spa gift baskets
- Book gift card or audiobooks gift card
$50+:
- Quality scrubs or lab coats
- Massage gift card or spa gift card
- Smartwatch or fitness tracker
- CE conference registration
- Personalized jewelry (paw print necklace)
25 Thank-You Messages You Can Copy
- “We are grateful for your expertise and compassion. Our patients are fortunate to have you.”
- “You brighten every day in the life of pets and people alike. We appreciate you!”
- “Your dedication to animals is inspirational to us all. Happy Vet Tech Week!”
- “Thank you for always going above and beyond for every patient.”
- “Without you, we wouldn’t be able to get the job done. You are the heart of our clinic.”
- “Your patience and expertise are invaluable to our patients and clients.”
- “Happy Vet Tech Week! Thank you for lots of late nights and early mornings.”
- “You make the hard days easier, and the good days unforgettably great. Thank you.”
- “Our clinic runs on your hard work- we see you, and appreciate you.”
- “Thank you for treating everyone else’s pets like your own.”
- “Your skills help save lives each and every day- for that we are thankful for you.”
- “Happy Vet Tech Week to the best tech team ever!”
- “Thank you for your kindness, knowledge, and endless energy.”
- “You are a rockstar in scrubs! Thank you for everything.”
- “Our clients trust us because they trust you! Thank you.”
- “You handle the stress with grace, and you handle the pets with care- we appreciate you.”
- “Thank you for making this clinic a better place every single day! Happy Vet Tech Week!”
Social Media Toolkit
Hashtags
Use these hashtags to join the conversation:
- #VetTechWeek
- #NVTW
- #ThankAVetTech
- #VetMed
- #VeterinaryTechnician
- #RVT #LVT #CVT
- #VetNurse (for UK/AUS audiences)
10 Copy-Ready Captions for Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn
- “Happy Veterinary Technicians Week to our wonderful team! Thank you for your skill, compassion, and dedication. #VetTechWeek #ThankAVetTech”
- “This week we are shouting out the incredible veterinary technicians that keep our clinic running smoothly. Thank you for all you do! #NVTW”
- “Everyone meet [Name], one of our amazing vet techs! [He/She] loves [favorite part of job]. Thanks for being a part of the team! #vet tech week”
- “Did you know? Vet techs monitor anesthesia, run lab tests, and educate pet parents every day. Vet techs are truly the backbone of veterinary care! #ThankAVetTech”
- “To our veterinary team, you make the hard days not so tough and the great days unforgettable. Happy Vet Tech Week! #NVTW”
- “Thank you to all the vet technicians working endlessly to keep our pets healthy and happy. You are appreciated! #VetTechWeek”
- “Shout out to our vet technicians for their patience, expertise, and endless energy. We could not do it without you! #ThankAVetTech”
- “This vet tech week we are thankful for the skilled professionals who show every patient support and compassion. Thank you! #NVTW”
- “Happy Vet Tech Week! Our veterinary technicians are the reason your pets receive the best care every day. Let’s all thank our vet techs! #VetTechWeek”
- “To the vet techs who hold patients during…
One-Week Content Calendar
| Day | Post Idea | Caption | Asset |
| Sun | Kickoff post | “It’s Vet Tech Week! Join us in celebrating our amazing team.” | Team photo |
| Mon | Staff spotlight #1 | “Meet [Name]! [Fun fact + role]” | Headshot + bio |
| Tue | Behind-the-scenes | “Ever wonder what vet techs do? Here’s a peek!” | Video or carousel |
| Wed | Client thank-you board | “Our clients are sharing love for our techs! Stop by to add yours.” | Photo of board |
| Thu | Educational post | “Vet techs are trained in [anesthesia/lab work/etc]. Here’s why that matters.” | Infographic |
| Fri | Team appreciation | “Our techs make every day brighter. Thank you!” | Candid team photo |
| Sat | Week wrap-up | “Happy Vet Tech Week to all techs everywhere! Thank you for all you do.” | Group photo + certificates |
Photo/Video Ideas
- Employee highlights with fun facts
- Behind-the-scenes videos of technicians on the job
- Time-lapse video of a busy day at the clinic
- Pet patients “thanking” your technicians (voiceovers or captions are acceptable)
- Team picture with a sign says “We Our Vet Techs”
- Client testimonial video regarding your techs
Careers, Credentials, and Advocacy
Credentials: RVT, LVT, CVT; VTS Specialties
Veterinary technicians achieve their credentialing after finishing an AVMA-accredited program then sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). Their credentials will depend on the state they are practicing in:
- Registered Veterinary Technician- RVT
- Licensed Veterinary Technician – LVT
- Credential Veterinary Technician – CVT
Veterinary Technicians have options for specialty certification (referred to as Veterinary Technician Specialists- VTS) in various disciplines including but not limited to dentistry, anesthesia, emergency/critical care, and behavior.
Scope of Practice Varies by State
The rules about what veterinary technicians can, and cannot, do are determined state-by-state. For example, many states allow veterinary technicians to administer anesthesia, place catheters, and perform dental cleanings but in other states, these things may be restricted. To find out what the rules are in your state, check your state veterinary board.
Wellbeing and CE Resources
Burnout and compassion fatigue are prevalent amongst veterinary technicians. Some ways to support your veterinary technician team could include:
- Continuing education (NAVTA, VetFolio, VETgirl)
- Mental health resources (Not One More Vet, AVMA Wellbeing resources)
- Mentorship programs and peer support groups
Encourage your team to have conversations about their workload and stressors. Simple solutions, like wellness breaks or flexible scheduling, can go a long way.
International Observances and Terms
UK: Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month (VNAM) — May
In the UK, veterinary nurses are honored every May as part of Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month (VNAM). The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) holds events and campaigns to promote awareness of the profession.
Australia: Vet Nurse Day — 2nd Friday of October
Australia’s Veterinary Nurse Day acknowledges the contribution of veterinary nurses across the country. The Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA) promotes this event through social media campaigns and local events.
Canada: RVT Month — October
The whole month of October is set aside in Canada for Registered Veterinary Technicians. Provincial associations and the Registered Veterinary Technicians and Technologists of Canada (RVTTC) coordinate the celebrations.
Germany: TFA Recognition — Status Overview
Germany’s Tiermedizinische Fachangestellte (TFAs) are integral to veterinary care and work in many veterinary clinics, but there is no officially sanctioned national week. The Bundesverband Praktizierender Tierärzte (bpt) supports education and recruitment of TFAs, and represents TFAs through the Verband medizinischer Fachberufe (VMF) at the national level.
Make It Local: Adapt Names, Dates, and Assets
If you’re outside the USA, adjust your celebration to match local terms and timing:
- Use “veterinary nurse” instead of “vet tech” in UK/AUS
- Celebrate during your country’s official observance
- Download region-specific resources from local associations
International Summary Table:
| Country | Correct Title | When It’s Celebrated | Official Organization |
| USA | Veterinary Technician (RVT/LVT/CVT) | 3rd week of October | NAVTA |
| UK | Veterinary Nurse | May (VNAM) | BVNA, RCVS |
| Australia | Veterinary Nurse | 2nd Friday of October | VNCA |
| Canada | RVT | October (full month) | RVTTC, provincial groups |
| Germany | TFA | No official week | bpt, VMF |
Recognition Options: What Works Best?
Different recognition types suit different clinics. Here’s a comparison:
| Recognition Type | Pros | Cons | Best For |
| Cash bonus | Simple, universally valued | May be taxed; budget-heavy | Larger clinics with funds |
| Gift cards | Flexible, fast to buy | Less personal | Mixed teams, tight timelines |
| Time off | High impact on work-life balance | Scheduling gaps | Small teams with planning time |
| CE stipend | Supports career growth | Not an instant “treat” | Credentialed techs focused on advancement |
| Swag/gifts | Fun, visible, builds team identity | Can feel generic | Low budgets, team-building focus |
| Public shout-outs | Builds pride, boosts morale | Needs consent/photos | Clinics with strong social media presence |
FAQs
What is Vet Tech Week and who started it?
Vet Tech Week, officially National Veterinary Technician Week, was started by NAVTA in 1993. It’s held annually during the third week of October in the USA to honor credentialed veterinary technicians.
When is Vet Tech Week 2025?
Vet Tech Week 2025 runs from Sunday, October 12 through Saturday, October 18.
What is the theme this year?
NAVTA announces the annual theme in late spring. Check the NAVTA website for the official 2025 theme.
How do clinics celebrate on a budget?
Focus on low-cost, high-impact gestures like handwritten notes, team breakfasts, DIY posters, and public social media thank-yous. Even $50 can make a meaningful week.
What are good Vet Tech Week gifts under $20?
Great options include personalized pens, coffee mugs, succulents, hand cream sets, and fun socks.
What should I write in a Vet Tech Week card?
Keep it sincere and specific. Example: “Thank you for your compassion and skill. Our patients are lucky to have you. Happy Vet Tech Week!”
What hashtags should I use?
Use #VetTechWeek, #NVTW, #ThankAVetTech, and #VetMed to join the conversation on social media.
How can pet owners thank vet techs?
Pet owners can write a thank-you note, bring treats for the team, leave a positive online review, or share a kind word during their next visit.
Is there a Vet Tech Week in Canada or the UK?
Canada celebrates RVT Month in October. The UK observes Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month (VNAM) in May.
Are vet nurses the same as vet techs?
Yes. In the USA, they’re called veterinary technicians. In the UK and Australia, they’re called veterinary nurses. The role and training are similar.
Downloadables and Templates
Make planning easier with these free resources:
Checklist: 4-Week Prep Timeline + 7-Day Plan
Download a printable checklist to guide your planning from four weeks out through the celebration week.
One-Week Social Calendar (Editable)
Get a fill in the-blank social media calendar with post ideas, captions, and hashtags for each day.
Thank-You Cards and Certificates (PDF/Canva)
Access printable thank you cards and certificates you can customize with each tech’s name.
Staff Spotlight Template (Photo + Caption)
Use a simple template to feature your techs on social media. Just add a photo and fill in the blanks.
