A message to vet techs from Melody Martínez, CVT

In this video, Melody Martínez, CVT, executive director of the Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association, calls on veterinary technicians to unite, collaborate, and innovate within their profession to achieve fair pay, better utilization, and greater recognition. She also encourages technicians to advocate for their professional goals and growth.

Related: On being seen in veterinary medicine: A conversation with Melody Martínez, CVT

Below is a transcript of the video, which has been lightly edited for improved clarity.

Melody Martínez, CVT: I think that we have not seen a lot of change in the way that technicians are respected in the profession, and I think that it can inspire people to just give up. I think that we have to keep going. And so I want to tell technicians: reach out to each other and continue to collaborate and to innovate the way that technicians do.

I think that it's important for us to continue to demand the things that we are entitled to and the things that we deserve from the profession. [Such as] being fully utilized, being paid, you know, a living wage or [a] thriving wage, ideally; and being supported. And then for assistance, in particular, to be supported to go to school, if that's what you want; being given clear pathways that grow your skills and grow your pay. I want to see that we are advocating— communicating clearly, [saying] "This is what we want. We want steps to grow. We want to see those steps clearly laid out so that we can reach them. And we want every time we reach those milestones, every time we gain that new skill, we want to see our pay increase." I think that's huge.

Related: "I started to question my self-worth": A first-generation vet tech on belonging, access to care, and her journey through vet med