A veterinary technician is similar to a registered nurse in human medicine. They’re trained and licensed to perform tasks such as anesthesia administration, radiography, and client education under a veterinarian’s supervision. While they can’t diagnose or prescribe, vet techs like Cheryl play a crucial role in supporting your pet’s health.

No, Tech-Connect is meant to complement your pet’s care by addressing minor concerns and routine needs. If your pet requires a diagnosis, treatment plan, or prescription, a full veterinary visit is necessary. It should also be noted that tech-connect appointments are intended for current WoofDoctor on Wheels clients only. If you have not been seen by Dr. Cifranick within the last year, you will need to schedule an appointment with him first.

Additional time is available for $15 per extended session.

Yes! However, each session is tailored to one pet at a time. If you have questions about multiple pets, additional appointments may be required, or an extended time fee may be charged.

You can schedule a Tech-Connect phone appointment in two ways:

• Book Online: Visit woofdoctoronwheels.com/schedule and select a time that works for you.
• Contact Us Directly: Call or text us at (843) 966-3362, or email info@woofdoctor.vet with your request.

If you’re not sure whether a Tech-Connect appointment is the right fit, our team can help guide you through a quick triage process and recommend the best next step for your pet.

Each veterinary clinic/hospital may vary from another, including policies and procedures. The daily operation of a veterinary hospital requires a variety of different roles that include veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary assistants.

A veterinary technician is a credentialed position often referred to as a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), or Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) depending on the state or country. They have completed an accredited veterinary technology program, passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), and are licensed or registered at the state level.

In human medicine, the role of a veterinary technician is comparable to that of a Registered Nurse (RN), as they provide skilled care under the direction of a veterinarian. A veterinary technician’s duties can include anesthesia administration, venipuncture (drawing blood or administering intravenous injections), catheter placement, radiology, surgical assistance, and more. Their scope of practice is often defined by state law and can vary based on the supervising veterinarian’s direction and hospital policies.On the other hand, a Veterinary Assistant (VA) typically has less formal education than a veterinary technician, if any education at all, and has not passed the VTNE. While some veterinary assistants may have received on-the-job training or have prior technical knowledge, they are not required to hold a credential. The role of a veterinary assistant can vary widely, with responsibilities that may include basic animal care, assisting with procedures, inventory management, and client communication. Although not as technically advanced as a technician, a skilled VA can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the clinical team.

At WoofDoctor On Wheels, our veterinary team serves distinct roles that are tailored to the mobile nature of our practice, offering a unique veterinary experience compared to a traditional clinic setting. Veterinary Technicians like Cheryl work remotely, efficiently maintaining patient records, coordinating appointments, and providing telehealth support. This setup allows us to offer flexibility and quick response times. 

Our veterinary technician, Jessica, leads our Technician Team in handling in-person technician appointments such as anal gland expressions and nail trims. She is equipped to perform ultrasounds and consultations on weight, nutrition, as well as addressing basic concerns related to eyes, ears, and skin. Furthermore, Jessica is a crucial part of our surgical process, assisting and monitoring patients during surgeries conducted at the client’s home, ensuring the highest standards of care and comfort.

During your regular appointments with Dr. Doug, you’ll meet our vet assistants who play a vital role in assisting with thorough examinations and any necessary treatments or diagnostics. They ensure clear communication with pet owners, while maintaining a stress-free environment for pets during exams in their own home. Additionally, our assistants are integral to surgical procedures, providing essential support and ensuring smooth operations. Their dedication ensures that your pet receives top-quality care in a welcoming and comfortable environment, ultimately providing a personalized and caring experience for both pets and their owners.

What educational experience and background are credentialed veterinary technicians required to have? A 2 year degree at an accredited college and approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Currently, a veterinary technician must pass the veterinary technician national exam (VTNE). In the United States, there are currently four different titles for veterinary technicians depending on the state of licensure. There may be additional tests depending on the state. Technicians must also keep up their education and licenses by completing multiple continuing education courses every year.

Technicians can also pursue specialization in a specific area of medicine. Similar to the veterinarian specialist process, the veterinary technician must have a minimum set of qualifications and experience to apply. The application process includes case reports, knowledge lists, and advanced skills that must be mastered. If the application is accepted, the applicant can sit for the credentialing exam. Passing the credentialing exam results in the title of veterinary technician specialist (VTS). There are currently 16 different specialty Academies for veterinary technicians. These include emergency and critical care, dental, internal medicine, anesthesia and analgesia, just to name a few.

At WoofDoctor On Wheels, our team is composed of highly skilled professionals, each playing a pivotal role in delivering outstanding in-home veterinary care:

• Veterinarian (Dr. Doug Cifranick): Leading our healthcare team, Dr. Doug is the cornerstone of our mobile practice, diagnosing and treating patients with precision and expertise. He performs surgeries and creates individualized treatment and wellness plans, all within the convenience of your home, adding a layer of personalized care that’s unique to mobile services.
• Practice Manager: Our practice manager, Katie, plays a crucial role in enabling seamless clinic operations. By efficiently coordinating logistics and managing resources, the practice manager ensures that our services are delivered effectively and reliably right to the client’s doorstep. Their focus on maintaining compliance and optimizing operations ensures that both pet care and client experience remain top-notch, providing consistent and quality veterinary services directly where our clients need them most.
• Remote Registered Veterinary Technician: Our Remote Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Cheryl, is integral in supporting our mobile veterinary team. She provides critical remote assistance by interpreting some lab results, advising on treatment plans, and managing client follow-ups concerning ongoing care. Additionally, she ensures the accurate maintenance of digital patient records, conducts teletriage consultations, and offers guidance on routine pet wellness issues, all from a distance. Her role significantly enhances our ability to offer immediate, informed responses to client inquiries, ensuring the continuity of care. By extending the reach of our veterinary expertise beyond physical appointments, she helps sustain our commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible veterinary services directly in the homes of our clients.
• Licensed Veterinary Technician- Our Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Jessica, plays a vital role in our practice by seeing in-person’ Technician Team appointments. Her extensive expertise covers a wide range of services, including routine tasks such as nail trims and anal gland expressions, as well as complex consultations and conducting ultrasounds. She plays an essential role in surgical procedures, assisting the team and closely monitoring your pet’s well-being. Her specialized training and licensure are central to delivering exceptional care, ensuring each pet receives optimal attention, even outside a traditional clinic.

For a brick-and-mortar veterinary technician: 

• The daily responsibilities of a veterinary technician can vary depending on the type of facility or hospital they work in, but there are common tasks that span across most settings. A typical day often starts with patient rounds, where the previous shift reviews current cases with the oncoming team, providing important updates on diagnoses, treatment plans, and any ongoing concerns. This handoff ensures that the incoming veterinary technician is fully informed about each patient’s needs.
• After rounds, the technician will assess and evaluate the patients, checking their vitals and reporting any significant changes to the supervising veterinarian. This may involve a combination of physical exams, blood draws, and monitoring the patients’ overall condition.
• Once the initial assessments are completed, the technician will begin administering treatments according to the patients’ needs and veterinarian’s orders. These tasks can include anesthetic preparation and monitoring for surgeries, performing radiographs (x-rays), placing intravenous catheters (IVC), and delivering treatments like chemotherapy. Dental procedures such as teeth polishing and cleaning may also be part of the technician’s duties, as well as assisting in surgical procedures or managing emergency situations.
• Throughout the day, the veterinary technician will also provide client education, ensuring pet owners understand their pets’ conditions, treatment plans, medications, and home care instructions. This may involve explaining post-surgical care or discussing potential side effects of  new medications. Other routine tasks include medication administration, filling prescriptions, and updating patient records.
• The day often concludes with a transition of care to the next shift, ensuring that any ongoing procedures or concerns are passed along seamlessly. While each day may bring a mix of scheduled appointments, emergency cases, and surgical procedures, a veterinary technician’s role is integral in ensuring the health and comfort of animals, as well as supporting the veterinarians and staff. Their work requires adaptability, strong technical skills, and a deep commitment to animal care.

For WoofDoctor on Wheels veterinary technicians:

• Cheryl, our remote Registered Veterinary Technician’s day starts by reviewing and answering medical questions via email and text. She then reaches out to clients for follow up on pets that have ongoing medical conditions. She reviews the schedules for Dr. Doug and the TechTeam, ensuring each appointment has enough time allotted. While completing all of this, she also answers medical questions that come in throughout the day and completes virtual appointments with pet parents (Tech-Connect appointments). Additionally, Cheryl monitors all the 24/7 remote monitoring patients enrolled in our special programs (e.g., weight management & wearable technology). These programs allow us to track vital health data in real time, helping to identify subtle changes that could indicate emerging health concerns. If anything abnormal appears on a pet’s charts or tracked data, Cheryl proactively reaches out to the pet parents to discuss potential concerns, offer guidance, and determine if further action is needed. Any significant findings or trends are relayed to Dr. C for additional veterinary assessment and treatment recommendations. Charting is also a large task Cheryl completes throughout the day as well. Charting requires her to record all of her interactions with clients and note any symptoms their pet may be experiencing, as well as recording any advice given about their pet. From time to time, she also assists Dr. Doug with lab work, reporting results to clients on his behalf (this is not something the “average” vet tech does). 
• Jessica, our Licensed Veterinary Technician Team Lead, starts her day by reviewing appointments and coordinating the day’s plan with her assistant. She consults Dr. Cifranick as needed and conducts case discussions virtually after completing her physical exams.. Jessica communicates with clients, providing education and performing requested services, which include:

• • Nail trims
  • Recurring injections
  • Anal gland expressions
  • Ear cleanings
  • Consultations on ears, eyes, and skin
  • Laboratory 
  • Booster vaccinations
  • Abdominal and cardiac ultrasounds
  • Laser therapy
  • Medication administration

After each appointment, Jessica records her medical notes and communicates with her assistant regarding follow-up recommendations. On surgery days, she prepares by ensuring surgical packs are ready, checking oxygen levels, and preparing pre-op spaces. She verifies consent forms and pre-op bloodwork, performs and collects blood samples as needed, calculates medications, and sets up the surgical suite. Jessica also places catheters, documents anesthesia parameters, performs dental cleanings, monitors patient recovery, and assists in the sterilization of surgical packs.

To make the most of your Tech-Connect phone appointment, here are a few simple steps to prepare:

• Have your questions ready: Write down any symptoms, concerns, or updates you want to discuss with Cheryl.
• Send helpful visuals in advance: If relevant, email or text photos or videos of your pet’s condition (e.g., limping, hot spots, unusual behavior) at least 2 hours before your appointment.
  • 📧 Email: info@woofdoctor.vet
  • 📱 Text: (843) 966-3362
• Be available by phone: Cheryl will call you within 5 minutes of your scheduled appointment time using the number on file.
• Pick a quiet space: Choose a spot where you can focus and hear the call clearly—bonus if your pet is nearby in case Cheryl has follow-up questions.

These steps help Cheryl provide the most personalized, accurate support possible for your pet’s needs.