Our CEO's Message to Vet Techs
Wise Tech-Empathy in Action
Celine Leheurteux, DVM
How much is a helping hand worth when you are vulnerable, isolated and feel powerless? $5, $20, $1000? When someone does something they didn't have to do, just to do good. That they do it to help us get over an ordeal faster. Generating respect, gratitude, hope in humankind, a special bond.
Animal health technicians & RVT’s, like midwives, are a great source of inspiration in my life and career. Professions that embody exceptional courage in each of their members. Wisdom-soaked beings who put the other in front, ready to take risks for her for others. For animals and women who are vulnerable. Always higher. In the name of benevolence. Who never lose patience with their patients.
I will be, until my last breath, grateful to the technicians who held my hand and made my childhood dream come true. Checking reactive animals, catching feral cats, taking that precious blood sample when no vein could be seen or felt. When it was late and you had to stay to do a C-section on a female in labor for 12 hours... I was vulnerable, unable to cope on my own. Just like when I gave birth to my children, when I was desperate and screaming and the midwife held my hand and made me feel like I could handle it. No one else could have given me the strength. This is your uniqueness.
Your caring is in every gesture. The attention. An intangible generosity that the audience who can't see you behind the scenes can't quantify. Inside the team, we are the only ones who can see its infinite extent. Those whose animal leaves with a cast will see the tip. A bee, a heart, a ghost, a pineapple adapted to the animal's style, even to its color palette! To show your empathy and to bring joy to a demanding situation for the family.
It's a concrete expression of that pure love you put into the care.
It feels good to do it and it feels good for the family that is being hurt by the animal’s condition. I call this effect compassionate satisfaction. Which, instead of emptying our empathy tank, fills it.
A decorated Euthabag can bring a sense of ritual and closure to the family.
The families who come to us to end the life of their animal are also very vulnerable. Feel judged. Guilty. Helpless. Sad.
We can help them by allowing them to have a ritual that celebrates the bond. The pure unconditional love that binds them to their pet. A relationship that for many keeps their spirits up. To face the trials of our fascinating but complex lives. These animals allow us to be ourselves and bring us back into the present moment for a fraction of the price of a spiritual retreat in the Eastern Townships!
When someone dies, there will be a ritual. A celebration, our community near and far will come to put their hand on our shoulder. To let us know how our loved one will be remembered for their uniqueness. I kept the condolence card I bought at the pharmacy sent by my neighbour when my father died. The invitation to the celebration of his death, the slide show, the tears exchanged. Reliquaries, precious memories associated with the past.
But for an animal, nay, nothing. We must take it upon ourselves. Be strong. Get over it. Get over it. See the positive side of having been lucky enough to know him. To live illuminated by his joy and love. Where is the hand on the shoulder? The symbolism? The ritual? The intangible support that we need so much. Even we who like to say that we like animals better than people! We remain social bugs!
Throughout their life, the animal depends on us for food and protection. Accompanying it in words with a thought can nourish this desire not to remain powerless in front of the loss, to continue the role of adopter until the end. Proposing to personalize the cover allows the family to participate in the process and to honor the memory of their companion. This step may be offered before the euthanasia appointment and may be a ritual performed with the family or while the sedative takes effect. Mentioning the cover may reassure some families about how the body will be handled after death. The family may be offered the opportunity to be present if they wish when the pet is inserted into the body bag. The choices are out there and it is obviously not for everyone. Spontaneously, many will rush to give the pet a final pat, kiss and close the bag with a strong symbolism of closing a chapter in this love story.
When we help, we help ourselves. We feed ourselves. Instead of emptying our empathy tank, we fill it with gratitude and a sense of accomplishment. This desire to always give our best is constant and powerful in AHTs & RVTs. It doesn't matter what time it is, how tired you are, or how frustrated you are. You aim for and deliver the best. You have infinite patience with your patients.
Like you, EUTHABAG is an independent company dedicated to improving the euthanasia experience. Operated by people just like you who vibrate just like you.
Receptionists, veterinarians, veterinary assistants, kennel assistants, and RVTs.
EUTHABAG is:
A company that cares about preserving intellectual property.
A company that contributes to society by donating to foundations dedicated to the environment, the fight against breast cancer, service animals
Who contributes to preserve the mental health of veterinary teams
Who has a reforestation project in Quebec and Costa Rica allowing monkeys, otters, woodcocks, and birds of prey to live in peace.
Who provides quality training and adapted tools.
Who raises awareness of the issues of veterinary teams.
What is the value of this added value? 5$, 8$, 20$? In these times of upheaval, where the emphasis is put by some on a price war or dumping, it becomes difficult to find one's way. At the end of the day, it's less than $5 per animal when we are all working to provide an experience that is priceless when it is exceptional. The proof is in the number and beauty of the cards we receive for euthanasia. What the family expects from us is to make the best choice to honor their pet's memory and in keeping with our shared values. Supporting what we believe in feels good too.
