Meet Shannon Brownrigg, Registered Veterinary Technician and Executive Director at Registered Veterinary Technologists & Technicians of Canada.
Could you briefly introduce the RVTCC to our members?
The Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians of Canada (RVTTC) is a not-for-profit organization representing roughly 9,000 RVTs across Canada on national and international issues. We support affiliated provincial veterinary technician and technologist associations to deliver on our mission to unite, advance and strengthen the Registered Veterinary Technician/Technologist profession.
Could you briefly introduce yourself?
I am a registered veterinary technician and RVTTC’s representative to WSAVA. I am passionate about pet owners, their pets and the veterinary teams that care for them. For the past six years, I have focused on supporting RVTs in Canada as RVTTC’s CEO.
Shannon Brownrigg
My work experience includes general veterinary practice for small animal, bovine and equine care, emergency and critical care medicine, and referral specialties in ophthalmology and dentistry. I have also been involved in education as an educator, curriculum developer and program coordinator in both the Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Assistant programs at Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario. As a lifelong learner who loves to network and meet veterinary colleagues, I am eager to participate and engage with the global WSAVA community.
What are the main challenges and opportunities facing veterinary technicians and technologists in Canada currently?
We are experiencing a workforce shortage of RVTs across Canada. The main challenge is retention where under-utilization and lack of wage growth with experience is causing RVTs to leave the industry.
Life has been more difficult this year because of COVID-19, how are you supporting your members during the pandemic?
We are working closely with our provincial associations to provide up to date information directly to our members, while providing ongoing emotional and well-being support.
Life has been more difficult this year because of COVID-19, how are you supporting your members during the pandemic?
We are working closely with our provincial associations to provide up to date information directly to our members, while providing ongoing emotional and well-being support.
Why is being a member of the WSAVA important to RVTCC?
We have experienced the benefits of national unity within our Canadian veterinary industry so the opportunity to be united with the global veterinary community is amazing. To share our experiences and gain from others will benefit animal health and the teams who care for them all around the globe.
October was RVT Month in Canada – how did you mark the month?
Every October, the RVTTC and the provincial RVT associations across Canada celebrate and recognize RVTs. This year we had so much to recognize, celebrate and educate for and with our RVTs. We chose to celebrate the Heart of the RVT.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s RVTs were identified as essential along with their veterinary team members. As the country closed down to slow the pandemic, veterinary health care teams kept working and, whether they worked in animal hospitals, livestock health facilities, animal shelters, research facilities educational institutions, government, animal health or in zoo animal and wildlife care, RVTs had one thing in common: the animals – and caring for animals makes up the heart of an RVT.
To educate the public about the RVTs and to celebrate their role within our veterinary community, we produced a range of resources on a special app. It included:
- Educational and marketing materials about the RVT profession
- Links to RVT merchandise, sponsor contests, RVT Month events
- A ‘Thank an RVT’ message board, for clients to thank RVTs for the work that they do
- The ability to share posters and videos from the app right to your social media pages
We also produced a clothing range and accessory items featuring our ‘Proudly RVT’ design. These are still available here
RVTTC Board of Directors 2019
Is there anything else you would like to share with our global community?
Thank you for including us! We are here to help and we would love to hear from any WSAVA member association that would like to find out more about RVTs in Canada.