Nicole LaForest is a licensed and registered veterinary technician. When she shared this story with us, she managed an ambulatory practice based in Lynnwood, Washington and was president of the Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians (WSAVT). She knew from a young age that she wanted to be a public servant, but she only found the form once she started college for a veterinary technology degree.
Below is her story in her own words. Roles, ages and details are as she described them at the time.
What LVT, RVT and CCFT mean
The letters after Nicole's name are three credentials. Two come from a state; one is a fitness certificate.
Credential | What it means | Who grants it |
|---|---|---|
LVT | Licensed Veterinary Technician | A state. Many states require passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) |
RVT | Registered Veterinary Technician | A state, for example the California Veterinary Medical Board |
CCFT | Certified Canine Fitness Trainer | A university continuing education program in canine fitness |
LVT, RVT and CVT are all state titles for a credentialed veterinary technician. Which one you hold depends on the state that credentials you. The VTNE itself is owned and run by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). The AAVSB does not credential technicians; the credential comes from the state where you practice. Studying for it? Start with our VTNE prep tips.
CCFT is a canine fitness certificate. The University of Tennessee's Certified Canine Fitness Trainer program, for example, combines an online lecture series, a hands-on live lab, case studies and an online exam.
Nicole's story, in her own words
My name is Nicole LaForest. I’m a Licensed and Registered Veterinary Technician and I manage the largest ambulatory practice in the US based out of Lynnwood, Washington and I am the current President of the Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians (WSAVT). I’m 25 years old and was born and raised in New York until I was 17 which is when I moved out to the West Coast. My hobbies include sleeping, playing with my Persians, eating and working out when I remember to do the latter.
Not the "I've always wanted to work with animals" type
I do not have the traditional story of “I’ve always wanted to work with animals.” That is the farthest from the truth. I have known since I was young that I wanted to be a public servant; but, in what form was unclear to me until 2011 when I began attending college to work towards my veterinary technology degree. I started my career as a veterinary assistant volunteering in a government-funded animal practice and then transitioned into private practice where I remained for roughly a year before getting tired of routine medicine, at which point I worked with Banfield Pet Hospital, you know, to spice things up a bit! My role with the corporation was strictly ambulatory and I began travelling to over 12 corporate locations in the Seattle area to work as a surgical assistant. This role inevitably led me to lead the vagabond lifestyle since I was being paid to travel albeit, locally.
Because I lived life sporadically and couldn’t commit to a brick and mortar college, I enrolled myself in Penn Foster’s veterinary technician program where I breezed through my classes and passed the VTNE and state exam my first time. As I slowly began to climb the ladder in the veterinary field, I took a coveted role at a small animal emergency hospital in Seattle as their evening ICU managing LVT, where I worked for several years before burning out mentally and emotionally. In 2014, I was lucky enough to come across my surgeon who would come into the ER to do our spinal fractures, TPLO’s, TTA’s and off-the-wall procedures. He took me under his wing and I began managing his practice full time in 2015.
Working beside a surgeon
My Surgeon is known primarily for his contribution to orthopedics and regenerative medicine, with special consideration to TTA, as he was the third Veterinarian in the US to offer this procedure. Needless to say, I was very intimidated to work by his side. What had I contributed to veterinary medicine? Up until this time I had only ever filled a position that would be posted before my obituary. Working alongside him I became exposed to educating peers, as a large portion of our practice was based around passing along our skills to others. I began co-lecturing with him at national conferences and international events. I eventually broke off and started speaking by myself and working with companies such as Kong Veterinary Products (KVP) and Animal Orthocare to bring orthotics to the forefront of medical management of cruciate injuries and other orthopedic ailments.
Many hats
Throughout the week I wear many hats, as many veterinary technicians do. You may find me lecturing, promoting appropriate patient advocacy primarily through my Instagram account, @veterinarytechnicians, endorsing products, engaging in research and taking on NAVTA to form a Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) in Regenerative Medicine. But, primarily, you will find me down in the trenches with my fellow colleagues in surgery.
Her advice to future vet techs
For those interested in the veterinary profession, please know that you are destined for great things. Our profession is ever-changing and is moving towards positive adaptation of our roles as veterinary technicians. Consider that as a veterinary technician, your imagination, and ultimately, your career path; is limitless.
What are the duties of a veterinary technician? You should know before setting down this amazing career path.
We are often found in surgery attending to our patients, suturing and assisting where needed. We are running anesthesia, ensuring our patients are pain- and anxiety free. We soothe scared and mourning Owners. We are exposed to radiation, chemotherapy, noxious gas and zoonotic diseases. You will often find us out in the field working with wildlife, exotics, aquatics, animal control and more. Veterinary technicians execute treatment plans such as medical therapy, fitness, rehab and training. We fill medications, educate clients on nutrition and work in labs; processing tumors, organs and other tissue samples. A veterinary technician may be found answering the phone at poison control, insurance companies, managing, working the reception area and performing clerical work. We perform CPR and triage patients as needed. We lecture around the world in hopes of passing on a fraction of our knowledge to others. We do So. Much. More.
We are known as the "Jack of all trades." We are not. It is impossible to commit all aspects of veterinary medicine across dozens of species to memory. No, we should be known as the "Masters and Mistresses of fluidity". Going wherever our passion takes us, finding our niche and excelling in everything we do.
Becoming a credentialed patient advocate has been the best decision I could have made for myself. Traveling around the US and to other countries spreading knowledge and cheerleading others has been unmatched.
Find your area in veterinary medicine that excites you and lights that special flame under your ass. Don't settle for anything less than extraordinary.
Thinking about becoming a vet tech?
Nicole got there through volunteer work, a distance-learning program and a lot of moving around. If you are weighing the same move, read these next:
- How to become a vet tech: schooling, the VTNE, credentials and what the career looks like.
- How to become a veterinary assistant: the role Nicole started in.
- Online vet tech programs: how distance learning works and what to check before you enroll.
Want to thank the techs on your own team? Browse our vet tech collection.
