Texas Equine Veterinary Association

www.texasequineva.com • Page 24 I'm making a promise that this will be the last article (more of an editorial) that I ever write as a Veterinary Team Association of Texas (VTAT) board member. It's time for me to fade off into the sunset. It's time for some new life in VTAT. It's time for a new start. It's time for change. I've been involved in a lot of things in this profession for a while. I never pictured that I'd be involved in so many things related to this profession when I graduated from tech school in 2000. At that time, I wanted a job. I wanted to make some money, and I was just happy that school was finally over with. Looking back now, as an "experienced" technician (that's code for older) I'm thankful for the education that I received because it truly has opened many doors for me. I remember how I got involved with VTAT (formerly TARVT). I recently started working at Texas A&M, and a board member stepped down and the vice president position needed to be filled. I was a member at that time, mainly because my employer paid for it, but I didn't really have a clue what the organization did at that time. The president at the time, Teresa Shisk, LVT, was knee deep in preparing for the sunset review. I had no clue what that even meant. I passed Teresa in the hall at work since we worked together, and she asked me to be vice president. She appointed the vacated position as president and I accepted the appointment. My eyes were very quickly opened as to what all was involved representing the state organization. Teresa spent many hours in front of the TVMA board of directors. She also gave reports at SWVS and TVMA annual conference, I realized that president wasn't a lot of physical labor, but there's some stress involved in coordinating everything (and I do mean everything) that this organization does. I ran for vice president and was elected to serve in that position for a full term. I worked closely with Donna Milner, LVT, as the new president, and Cindy Dittmar, LVT as president elect. I also see the same traits in your current president, Sue Allen, LVT. Anyone who knows me (especially my students) know that I have a passion for this profession. That passion led me to run for president elect. The timing was right in the middle of the discussions for the change from RVT to LVT. Surveys were created. Surveys were reviewed. Nomenclature from other states was extensively researched. A lot of work was done just for the preliminary stages. I remember discussions in front of the TVMA board of directors, licensure task force members, but the biggest meeting at that time was the legislative committee. Convincing that committee to pursue drafting language for LVT had me sweating bullets. I answered some tough questions, but ultimately we were supported. Going the capitol and discussing the profession of veterinary medicine and veterinary technicians was one of the coolest days of my professional life. I'm thrilled to have had that opportunity and I wouldn't have been able to do it had it not been for this organization. With that being said, it's time. It's time for the torch to be passed. It's time for each of you to care about your profession. I hear it all the time that the veterinary profession is a very noble one. How much more noble can you get than each and every one of you who go to work every day and give your heart and soul to the care of the animals we oversee. Our daily routine includes protecting every veterinarian we work for —we're their shield from the gnashing of teeth (clients and patients alike) and the striking hooves and horns we encounter each and every day when we go to work. When we go to work every day, it's time to do work. It's time for each of you to bring that mentality to this organization. It's time you get involved. It's your organization. Many times, I've said that being a member is enough. VTAT will gladly accept you as a member, but if that's all you do, you're missing out. It's time to become an active member. So many times I have discussions about how things will never change and individuals are only concerned about what happens in the practice they work in. There's more to this profession that the roof that you work under and things happen every day that do affect your profession and your livelihood. You get out of this profession what you put into it. It's time to give back. Become a member. Serve as a regional contact. Run for office. Simply answer a survey or an email that we send out to provide feedback. There's a great foundation in place and things are about to become epic, but if you're not involved you'll get left out. It's time to make a difference. I hear it all the time from techs, assistants, and others working in this profession that nothing will ever change. They're right. With that attitude, nothing will change. It's time to get involved and do I T ' S T I M E … DAVID SESSUM, LVT Veterinary Team Association of Texas Board Advisor

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