When singer Marc Anthony said 鈥淒o what you love and you鈥檒l never work a day in your life鈥�, he could very well have been thinking about Pammie Payne. For nearly 40 years, Pammie has channeled her passion for animals into an eclectic career that has encompassed working in veterinary clinics and animal hospitals, and serving as an animal care specialist for the Oregon Wildlife Foundation and Northeastern Wildlife. For the past 18 years, she has also been lead instructor at Carrington鈥檚 Veterinary Assisting program in Spokane, Washington. We talked with Pammie about her love for animals, her long teaching career, and the most important lesson every Veterinary Assistant must learn: 听
Have you always been an animal lover?
Always! My mom used to get upset when was little because I wanted to play with snakes and frogs. But even back then, if it moved, I loved playing with it and taking care of it!
How many pets do you currently have?
I have a miniature poodle, ferrets, frogs, and an alligator named SeeMoreTeeth. He鈥檚 a sweet beast. I鈥檝e had him 13 years and he鈥檚 grown to be five feet long. He lives in a听nine-foot round swimming pool. He loves my granddaughter and vocalizes when he sees people he knows. People always ask if I鈥檓 afraid he鈥檒l bite me. He鈥檚 never tried. He eats bait fish and has a great life. SeeMore has even visited nursing homes for educational presentations I occasionally conduct.
What is a typical day like for you?
I鈥檓 currently teaching four classes with a total of 32 students. A new class begins every six weeks, so there鈥檚 always something happening. I鈥檓 currently on campus two days a week and I also tutor remotely. I leave my home in Kellogg, Idaho at 4:30 a.m. and drive through the mountain pass into Washington. It鈥檚 130 miles round trip. I rarely run into traffic, but snow can be an issue鈥攁nd I always have to be on the lookout for deer, elk or moose crossing the road. I just allow plenty of time and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The other days, I work from home. Organizing and managing our externship program also requires a lot of time and energy. Students in our program do a last-term externship at area veterinary clinics. I also coordinate with Carrington鈥檚 Career Services team to help place students in jobs after they graduate.
What is the biggest misconception students have to overcome when they begin your program?
I think many students initially assume that they鈥檒l only be providing care to dogs and cats. Over my years as a Vet Tech, I鈥檝e taken care of dozens of different species鈥攅verything from giraffes, rhinos and a Siberian lynx to ferrets, guinea pigs, skunks, woodchucks, and rabbits. A lot of people would also be surprised at how many reptiles鈥攖urtles, lizards, snakes and crocodiles鈥攁re taken to vets for care.
Once they graduate from your program, what are Veterinary Assistants prepared to do?
After completing our program, students are prepared for the clinical, lab, and administrative duties required of a Veterinary Assistant. They鈥檝e learned animal anatomy and physiology, nursing skills, pharmaceutical chemistry, and surgical skills. Veterinary Assistants help veterinarians and veterinary technicians provide preventive medicine and care for animals who are sick or injured. Their responsibilities include feeding and bathing animals to checking in patients, helping administer medication, monitoring animals after surgery, and cleaning and sterilizing surgical rooms.
You鈥檝e been around people who work with animals for many years. What types of people tend to be attracted to veterinary professions?
My experience is that people who are drawn to the veterinary professions tend to be, by nature, gentle and nonjudgmental. Animals love unconditionally and can provide great comfort to those who have experienced trauma in their lives, and people often have a strong desire to return the favor.
What skills or qualities do good Veterinary Assistants possess?
I鈥檝e found that many people are attracted to veterinary care and medicine because they like animals more than people. They often overlook the reality that you鈥檙e actually dealing with people all day. I think that鈥檚 the most important lesson new Veterinary Assistants must learn: you鈥檙e in the people business as much as you鈥檙e in the animal business. Every animal you see comes with a person who cares about that animal, who often has strong opinions, and who ultimately has to pay for the services and care you鈥檙e providing. Sadly, people are not always rational or even nice. Veterinary assistants and technicians have to be thick-skinned and be able to manage their emotions. You can鈥檛 carry whatever happened during your last appointment into the room next door.
What would you say to someone who might be considering becoming a Veterinary Assistant?
If you love animals, get along with people, can deal with crises and enjoy an active, fast-paced environment where no two days are ever the same, it could be a very rewarding career for you!
