Misty Elom can trace her inspiration to become a Veterinary Technician back 25-years when she became fascinated by television鈥檚 Animal Planet. 鈥淏eing an Emergency Vet seemed real cool and I thought taking care of animals would be a fun thing to do.鈥� She completed 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Veterinary Technology program in 2000 and in her mid-twenties was a Registered Veterinary Technician working full-time in that exciting field. Her career took her through many adventures with animals 鈥� even volunteering as veterinary staff for the annual 1,000-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Anchorage Alaska. But she wanted to explore a different venue. 鈥楾eacher鈥� had a nice ring to it.
What took you from hands-on animal care to educator?
It was a natural evolution for me. I鈥檇 been doing this (animal care) for twenty-years and I felt I鈥檇 hit a wall in my career. Teaching presented itself to me and I thought I would give it a go. The selling point for me was I would be teaching at the same school I鈥檇 gone to and some of the instructors were still working there. That was positive testimony for the school.
What are your primary responsibilities as faculty for the Veterinary Technology (VT) program?
My primary responsibility is preparing VT students to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination. They have already completed four previous terms which include: how to restrain animals, large and exotic animal management, to fourth term learning to monitor animal anesthesia and surgery, radiology, as well as understanding state laws. They are also trained in dentistry, extractions, x-rays, lab procedures, surgery prep, preventative care, vaccines, and emergency care. We do it all. The Veterinary Technology program can be completed in as few as 19 months and graduates earn an Associate of Science degree.
What is the best thing about your role as faculty?
It鈥檚 when you鈥檙e communicating something, and you see it 鈥榗lick鈥� and students get it; they understand the concept. That鈥檚 huge. And when students start their externship in clinics to get their hands-on experience and see for themselves a concept in their book be put into practice 鈥� it all makes sense. And every time they do it, it will be less intimidating.
Why do you think the Veterinary Technology program is so effective and successful for students?
We instructors really love what we do. And by taking that passion and passing it on to students, it鈥檚 like鈥�.I have all this information to share with you and you want to hear it. We鈥檙e there to help animals (as Vet Techs). That鈥檚 what we love and if we can make you a better technician, you鈥檙e better for it.
What is your objective as a Veterinary Technology faculty member?
I want to give students the confidence that they can do this. And confidence is a safety thing. You鈥檙e dealing with animals that can鈥檛 use their words. You have to 鈥榬ead鈥� that pet on top of making them feel safe and secure. You鈥檙e going to do things they don鈥檛 like, like trim their toenails, taking temperatures and invading their personal space. Your confidence makes them feel less anxious. And knowing your job, pros and cons of medications and when to use them, will make doctors more confident in you.
Is there a struggle in your role to educate students to the reality of their career choice?
A lot of people think we play with puppies and kitties all day. But there鈥檚 a lot of math and science knowledge in this program. But we have student support tools, like tutors. Out in the real world, there鈥檚 also the emotional component of compassion fatigue in our field. We can get emotionally attached to pets we see every year to only, at some point, have to be a part of its death. It鈥檚 heart wrenching to grieve with a family then walk into the next room鈥檚 puppy exam and turn off your heartbreak. Or you see clients distraught because their pet has been hit by a car and can only be saved by surgery; then see a family struggle with the cost of that decision. Finances are a huge thing in animal care.
What motivates you to do your job well?
I tell my students this: 鈥業 want you to be the kind of technician that I want to work with. I want to walk into a practice and know you can be trusted. I want to see you self-motivated, confident and not afraid to ask questions. Because if you guess and get it wrong鈥hat can be a pet鈥檚 life.
What is your current goal as an instructor?
My biggest goal is to make sure I鈥檓 conveying the information in the best, most effective, way I can. I use games like Trivial Pursuit 鈥� customized to veterinary medicine, anesthesia, radiology, dentistry. Roll the dice, land on a topic; kind of a review technique for the exam.
Describe this pivotal exam.
The Veterinary Technology National Exam (VTNE) is a 3-hour test of 170 multiple choice questions in the following categories: Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Surgical Nursing, Dentistry, Laboratory Procedures, Animal Care and Nursing, Diagnostic Imaging, Anesthesia, Emergency Medicine/Critical Care, and Pain Management/Analgesia. Additional information can be found at Regarding testing, I tell my students 鈥淭rust your instincts, trust your knowledge. Tests can be intimidating, but you know more than you realize.鈥�
What practical insights have you learned in your career that you pass along to your students?
Working with great technicians ups your game. Because I have worked in so many clinics, I have a more well-rounded idea of how things work. The main ingredient is always the animals. Because I love working with animals so much, I am continuing that influence by creating technicians that love animals, too. We鈥檙e putting good people out in the field to carry on that responsibility with passion. 聽 黑料不打烊 prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors. The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the program.
