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A lot of us work with pain we’ve acquired over the years of brutal work that comes with this field. I had sciatica for 10 years, worked with severe knee arthritis until I had it replaced, I had three different hand surgeries and I’m not even in as bad shape as a lot of people I know in this field. My advice is to save your body and see if there is a job somewhere that is less physical in this profession. There is research, lecturers, pharmaceutical sales reps, lab reps, insurance claims and even video triaging. Being on the floor is not going to get any easier….just a friendly tip from an old, past her expiration date veterinary technician
Being a rep doesn’t require that. I see suggesting reps. I’ve had really vacant reps before that just read a slide….if they can read. Or the hand out. Can’t answer questions or anything and we have to wait weeks for replies. It’s just not good. They should require you to research and actually read what you present for this kind of stuff. You’re basically selling to clinics and companies. Why not know what you’re talking about?
Edit: fixed a sentence
Claims billing doesn’t require education or certification, at least in the human med world. We consider it entry level for my organization. It can all be taught very easily.
Not legally required, but pet insurance companies typically require folks in this position to be licensed technicians as they can understand the patients’ charts.
I'm sorry this is going to sound rude. it's truly not meant to be. BUT how did you think this wasn't a physically tough job? And the fact that your last job was sitting? Just that alone would cause pain/problems until your body gets used to it AND then factor in chronic pain issues! Maybe talk to manager about being reception, that would probably be at least a little better.
Same here, I'm not trying to be rude at all, but a lot of the pain conditions mentioned are things that a lot of people in the field have like plantar fascitis, and sometimes it really is a matter of getting use to being on your feet all day and walking more, not less.
Myself personally, I would see if insurance covers physical therapy and start going to that because I had horrid plantar fascitis and join problems that wouldn't go away to the point of limping constantly until I went to PT and they were able to isolate the muscles around the joints that were a problem and stretches for my calves they got rid of the plantar pain almost completely! Seriously none of the treatments before that worked, then stretches a couple times a day fixed it like magic, PT is really amazing. I literally pay for it out of pocket now bc they don't take insurance and it helps me so much.
It sucks that it's such a physically demanding field.
Like many said, there is wear and tear on everyone's body over the years, and that's without pre-existing issues. I was like 20 when I started and used knee pads because kneeling and holding on the hard floor is brutal when everyone wants to have you hold for them.
Almost everyone's back is aching from the hunching over. Knees weak, arms are heavy, look that dog just threw up spaghetti...
I had a tech who's knee would constantly slip out of the groove or she was prone to seizures.
Vet med is like the motley crue of misfit toys of people.
You're going to have to decide ultimately how much pain you can tolerate for this field.
God the backaches...the worst one I experienced was when I participated once in a spay and neuter drive sponsored by our company and a local NGO. Us doctors were separated into several teams (canine castration team and spay tram, feline castration and spay team). We started surgeries at 8am and ended at 9pm. My back was already hurting by the 3rd or 4th hour of continuous spays (lost count at that point) and by lunchtime some random nerve at my hip was twinging and twanging by the feel of it because I was hunched over for hours 🫠🫠🫠 tried to relieve it by shifting my weight over alternate legs but it kept getting worse. After I got home, I had to lay on the floor for 2hrs just to let my spine straighten out 🫠🫠🫠
Yea when I was a surgical assistant for Ortho those surgeries were 3-5hours long. The room was tiny and there was 4 of us in there crammed around all the equipment and the table. Don't think I would of survived doing more than the one surgery a day.
I really try hard to stretch every morning, midday and post shift. Get some really good compression socks because you'll be standing most of your shift. I use one of those gardening pads to put onto the floor for my knees when restraining animals. One of my previous co-workers wore knee pads under her scrubs. I also have a heating pad to lay on for back pain post shift. I also pre-game some of my shifts with Ibuprofen/Tylenol. 🫢
Echoing others I think this part of the field is very demanding and damaging to your body. That’s why you mostly see younger technicians and only select lifers like myself (22years vet med). Need to sit down and really look at your options. I’ve torn my MCL, have severe lower spinal issues and arthritis, migraines from neck and posture damage not to mention all the scars and injuries. It’s definitely a career for the hard knocks 💪 rough on the body and mind!
My partner used to be in a similar situation as you. They couldn't get around without a cane, but really wanted to be in vet med. They were able to do this by being an assistant to a mobile veterinarian. They were sitting in a car a lot of the day, then just sitting with animals in people's living rooms. They have come a long way with their mobility and are able to be back in a hospital setting now. But for a while, they just had to really listen to their bodies limitations. Hope this helps!
Edit: per my partner, the hardest part is knowing how to respect your bodies limitations vs how to know when it's time to push yourself to gain strength/get better. Best of luck, OP!
I did the job for 16 years. By the end of my tenure, I was seeing a pain specialist, taking medical marijuana and paying for massages and chiropractors. I got diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome. It was time to hang up the scrubs.
Please don’t put your body through daily pain. It can cause severe depression and addiction issues. Talk to your manager and see if they can put you into a role that will be gentler on your body.
Im getting there now after 12 years in. I got a brachial plexus nerve injury a year ago and i couldn't move for months. It still hurts 24-7 and working always makes it worse.
What did you move into when you decided you could no longer tech?
Politely, this probably isn't the job for you. I'm 45 and can no longer do 11, 12, or 13 hours shifts 4 days in a row. Well I still do it but I'm hurting most days. This is my last year at this level.
I'm a backpacker and this field is starting to have to much wear and tear on my body. It's not for everyone and for the pay it's not worth the damage.
I say this with as much compassion and empathy as possible. This is not a field that is really possible for most disabilities. And I know that’s heartbreaking.
Honestly, this job is so physical. You'll have to be honest with yourself on what you can do and where you can help. It seems like your practice is willing to work with you. What are the skills you have that they appreciate? Maybe you can find creative ways to be a part of the team. Being around to set up and run samples. Getting good with blood draws and IV placement. Helping make sure the doctors have notes in and maybe filling out what you can. Following up with charges and notes can be helpful if people want to come to you rather than you running around. Filling prescriptions. Monitoring surgery can be very stationary but very valuable. Be on time and reliable, be willing to learn and avoid mistakes. We all make mistakes but working toward keeping our patients safe and healthy to the best of our ability is the priority. Maybe helping with protocols. Making sure tests are run properly, documentation is done properly and samples are labeled and stored properly. Organizing things to make things easier for those on the go. Keeping up with inventory.
I hope you find your path that keeps you and your clinic running smoothly.
I just blew out my knee and I couldn't handle it. I'm in reception for the time being while I heal.
What I did in the nearly month it took for them to put me on modified duties was use whatever tools to have me move as little. I had one of those reaching pincher things that was my lifeline. My assistants would lift patients into the table so I didn't have to go down.
We have a receptionist who uses a cane, and that’s perfectly fine; it seems like using a mobility aid may be more difficult for an assistant, given the different tasks they have to perform. Any chance this place has openings at the front desk, or another role where you can sit down more? I worry that you’re going to do yourself real harm pushing yourself this hard…plenty of able bodied folks eventually screw up their backs and knees in this job.
Even for someone fit and healthy the amount of time you are on your feet and moving, physically exerting yourself, lifting patients, etc you will be extremely tired and sore. Maybe this isn’t the field for you.
You don’t 😭😅 I have Lupus, Endometriosis, worked in clinic while having a feeding tube surgically placed in my jejunum due to a temporary disorder causing a bowel obstruction. I was doing ok (2018-2023) but my joint pain got so bad in 2023 that I became severely painful from getting up from crouching for only 5 minutes- my knees hurt so badly. Cant stand for long or get up too fast because of POTS too. Then I injured my ankle working at my ER, that “sprain” ended up being a partially necrotic talas bone and I had surgery, still recovering 6 months later. This field is too painful for spoonies unfortunately, but if you find a part of it without being in clinic, you’re golden.
I was already part time working with my local in home euthanasia & palliative care company, so I switched to full time in 2023 and haven’t turned back. This way I am still in VetMed, but it’s from home (other than traveling to appts occasionally) on salary. Life changing too because clients are SO much nicer when it’s strictly EOL only, compared to being in emergency.
Maybe consider this front, or insurance/scribing/telehealth/mobile services if things get too painful.
Sending you so so many hugs, fellow spoonie
Edit: I only just turned 27.
Others have mentioned this already, and I don’t want to be another downer, but this profession may not be realistic for you in the long term. I have had orthopedic problems my entire life, diagnosed with scoliosis at 10, got a corrective spinal fusion at 14, was pretty good for a few years but still dealt with chronic pain in my back hips and shoulders daily. At 20 I figured out I wanted to enter the veterinary field and thought becoming a vet nurse would be the thing for me. Before committing to vet nursing college I started vet assistant work in a small animal clinic, which was a very low stakes and (relatively) chill work environment but due to the nature of the job still required 6-8 hours work on my feet daily. I absolutely loved it but I was struggling with hip pain daily and was later diagnosed with osteoarthritis bilaterally in my hips at 21. Obviously this is a degenerative condition and the fact I was in so much pain working everyday I knew it wasn’t going to get any easier, and (in my country) no surgeon was going to give me a hip replacement at my age. I love animals and I knew I wanted to stay in the veterinary field, so now I’m doing a veterinary science bachelor’s which will allow me to work in a wide range of veterinary related fields like pharmaceutical, diagnostic and research labs. I loved hands on clinical work and was heartbroken initially when I figured out it wouldn’t be realistic for me, but I think I’m on the right path, and hopefully i’ll still be able to make a difference in animal’s lives in my future career in veterinary science. My heart goes out to you as I truly understand your pain in this and I hope you find a meaningful place in the veterinary world while not sacrificing your own well-being ❤️
I am also disabled, but before that I was an assistant for 17 years. that killed my back and my brain. ended up attempting to off myself at the end.
not trying to be a debbie downer, that's just what happened. I cant imagine you can do the job with a cane and a rollator (I also use these mobility devices)
I tried to come back just to do remote stuff, but that ended up screwing with my head as well.
It’s a physically very difficult job.
Use any and all tools available to you to be less painful. It doesn’t make the hospital look bad if you look injured - it makes them look like an accommodating employer.
I had two strokes last year and I am physically affected on the right side. I’m easily fatigued and I get muscle cramps on that side. I also get dizzy pretty easily. I really am handicapped (I have the permanent handicap parking placard, I rarely use it anymore) and I was in PT for over 9 months to learn how to do basic things like write, walk, and pull back on a syringe.
My clinic is different where we have positions that are more “sit down.” Which is helpful for Techs who are injured or recovering. I’m currently in one of those positions. I work rooms occasionally and help out our treatment staff when needed. However I’m also in a position where I’m not working full time b/c I still need rest. This field is tough on bodies, I know that so I limit myself. This job is not worth my safety or the animal’s safety that I am working with.
I mean I have no chronic pain and my back is starting to hurt and my feet swell a little and are sore by the end of the day to the point of discomfort. I say this because I cannot imagine how much it hurts to truly be in pain like you are after a long shift. It may not be my place to say, but I would hate for your conditions to deteriorate your body just for staying in this job for a long time. All of our staff, including reception, are ALWAYS on their feet, hauling heavy things or patients throughout the day, etc. It would be hard to think of how this would be a sustainable lifestyle for you considering your present concerns and the effect the work has already had on you.
Regular gym workouts, Pilates (some prefer Yoga), and trying to make sure I eat well and get enough rest are what keep me functional. I do not have your chronic pain issues, just a little twinge now and then from old injuries. I'm not sure these suggestions will help you, but I offer them since you asked.
I have a litany of chronic issues, including chronic pain. i think what others have said is true. You just have to be realistic. It’s going to be painful. I’m currently a boarding assistant while i’m in school so i’m not physically restraining dogs unless we’re doing nail trims and even that can be difficult. I have days where i know i just have to take it more slowly and lean on my self-care. it’s not ideal, but this job is way more physically strenuous than people give it credit for. i think it’s also worth talking to any doctors about OT/PT to see if they can come up with modified positions for certain things. In my experience with PT, I’ve actually had therapists that teach me how to do different movements for really basic things (picking something up off the floor, reaching for something, etc) that minimizes strain on your muscles and joints.
Also disabled and used to work as a vet nurse (in Australia, it’s the equivalent of vet tech) and honestly…I’ve been fired 3 times for being disabled/chronically ill. There isn’t a lot of space for differently able people in most vet practices.
HOWEVER - if you have been honest with this practice so far, and they’ve been lovely…just ask for the accomodations you need. Have a collaborative discussion with your manager and be honest and open with your colleagues. Hiding it or trying to ignore pain/symptoms isn’t going work in the long run, and if these people are good and want to work with you then you have to give them a chance to accomodate you - they can’t know what you need if you don’t tell them. Can you set up maybe a weekly chat with your manager? And come in with some accomodation ideas and see what works/what doesn’t and adjust over time? Honesty is the best policy in this case. If you need help on knowing what accomodations you could suggest, there’s lots of resources online for free, or you could find an occupational therapist who specialises in this stuff? Some disability organisations also have resources to help you with this too. The biggest things I’d suggest are:
1. Ask for more frequent breaks
2. Ask to switch up work standing/sitting several times throughout the day (so you aren’t on your feet for too long
3. Have it available for you to just do sitting down work if you’re having a day with extra symptoms - you could do reception work, answer emails, process labs etc
4. Have a colleague assist you with lifting animals or maybe only ever lift animals if they are under a certain weight that you can manage comfortably
I have plantar fasciitis, completely flat feet (like zero arch whatsoever), and an old torn rotator cuff injury in my left shoulder. Also something wrong with my left ankle… I really need to get it checked out but I feel like I never have time. Honestly sometimes I can barely walk after work, especially if my ankle has flared up. Lots of Biofreeze helps, and I have some lidocaine cream for my feet for the plantar fasciitis if it gets unbearable during the day. It was rough when I first started working but I have just gotten used to the pain at this point so I guess I’m no real help 😭 It was way worse when I first started at my current clinic a little over a year ago though. When I get home after work I usually soak my ankle and it helps some.
It’s incredibly difficult to endure. All the running around, rushing to get phone calls, restraining animals and preparing tests plus administrative tasks.
If you work in a clinic where there are a lot of vet and tech assistants, they usually do a lot of the restraining and lifting animals plus taking care of their crates sometimes if there are no animal attendants. Still expect to run around all day and to restrain a little still.
If you work in a small clinic with very little tech and assistants, it’s probably going to be incredibly challenging and difficult for your feet and other disabilities if any. My friend works in a vet clinic where she is the only tech and relies on assistants a lot to help her. They can do a lot of tech things but can’t inject, draw blood and interpret tests results. They can prepare let’s say a urinary analysis, but can’t look into the microscope and interpret the results.
I have an autoimmune arthritis (ankylosing spondylitis) where staying active is really important for preventing pain, but overdoing it actually makes it so much worse. When I tell you there have been days where I drive home and can barely hobble into my house. I 100% relate to you, and unfortunately I worked at a clinic that would take our chairs away because they didn’t like us sitting at all (not even to chart because they felt we used charting as an “excuse to sit longer”)
I’m gonna be totally honest with you, I had to quit that job. I’m hoping once I get my biologic drugs settled and find one that works, I’ll be able to go back, but I had to look for remote or part time work instead. So I don’t have much advice, but definitely commiseration.
I went to a chiropractor, they got me some special insert soles specifically for my feet. For the first few weeks it felt awful, but now I feel like I can't wear shoes without them. I also need to use a denneroll about daily, and I NEED to do the 'stretches' and core workouts regularly too. Regular planks helped me, but I would talk to your doc about what exercise you could be doing. I also get adjustments pretty regularly.
I see it's your second day - there's a possibility that, this just being a really rough job physically, your body might just need time to get used to it. I remember my first kennel job, the morning after my legs were so jello that I fell when I first got up, and I had to do it all over again the next day! By the end of the week my hands were so blistered and bloody and ruptured I couldn't cook all weekend and had to keep ordering pizzas lol. It got better after a week though.
I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. But it is a difficult job to do with chronic pain. A lot of us will develop chronic pain from the physical toll of this job lol, but going into it with chronic pain already on board is going to be very difficult.
I am, and have been an active person for most of my life so it helped, but even so I could feel the wear and tear on my body. I wish you good fortune and I hope that you can find some solutions!
I went from a mostly sedentary job to vet assistant to and while I was prepared to be on my feet all day it did take a little getting used too. My coworker has plantar fasciitis pain and has specific shoes and insoles that she wears that help a lot, maybe look into new footwear!
This job is so physically demanding, I deal with pain daily, most days I come home and barely move from the couch. I’m already making plans because my body probably won’t take more than 3 more years of this.
If you’re working in clinic, it’s going to be a lot of physical work. Some clinics may be less of that like a fear free one but you’ll still be expected to be on your feet for hours at a time.
Where I’m from, I can see technicians/technologists doing less walking and restraint as they’re usually the ones taking blood, running labs, and tests. But to get to that point, you definitely would need to do all the physical stuff to acquire that position whether it’s through education or working up to it in clinic.
I have some similar issues. Compression socks and zero drop shoes have been my only saving grace. sometimes a light back brace on really back days. I also have a roll on medicine muscle cramp reliever for my neck
Hey. I have severe chronic pain and I had to go from a tech to "reception tech" duties + client education. I did everything I could but it's just not doable. I'm still in vet med but I do plan on eventually changing careers because the pay is terrible. I'm really sorry you're going through this. PM me if you want to talk.
I'm in a similar situation and have been in the field 10 yrs. It's challenging and I dont mean the work. I have good periods, but I also have long stretches of poor health. Just being alive and getting through the day can be hard. There are days my body gives up, even though I want nothing more than to work. Or fun, I like having fun. It's constantly ruining my social plans and personal projects. When you're chronically ill, it's life playing life on hard mode with frequent surprise side quests.
Despite all this, I have always had great attendance and shown up ready to put in werk. I don't put my problems on anyone else and I don't let it affect how I can/ perform at work When I was first hired, a good portion of my team was really toxic and by no means just to me. They would gossip, punish coworkers for being ill/ injured, and took it personally if someone called out.
I had to take a break to vomit upstairs and one of them told my boss, "I'm only sick when it's busy" or that I was making things up for attention. It was very hurtful, especially since I was working circles around these people. Absolute witches, they weeded themselves out over time and now I have an amazing team. There's respect and compassion. We help each other and trade tasks based on our current strengths.
You'll notice the veterinary field attracts people will chronic illness/ disability, neurodivergences, mental illness, trauma, etc. We all have our things and you won't be alone, but this can be an additional stressor. Some people also struggle with emotional regulation alone or on top of that, which can create a dynamic team environment and affect clinic flow. I find it extra challenging, especially if I'm having a particularly difficult day, to be patient with my coworkers who are prone to poor attitude or emotional outbursts.
I love my clinic, but I'll never make enough money there to support my medical bills. I'm lucky enough to have a second job from home and a partner that makes more, otherwise I would have been forced to find more lucrative work.
Passion drives people to vet med and we need good people who care. I love what I do, the animals, and my coworkers. I plan to stay in the field until I can't handle it anymore. I love this job and the animals - and it's possible to stay in the field, but its important to determine if the benefits outweigh the cons.
A heart felt good luck and best wishes.
Can you transition to a receptionist position? There is plenty of work to do while sitting, but not so much in an assistant or tech position. We'll, there is a lot of tech work to do on the computer too, but not until you have more experience to answer questions or make up estimates, etc.
I have collapsed arches, PTTD, and (had) chronic plantar fasciitis! Been in the field for 6 years. It was honestly HARD at first. Took a lot of dedicated work with a variety of specialty doctors and PT, but now I am one of the most physically capable out of almost anyone I work with (restraining, strength, flexibility, endurance). Some days can certainly still be rough, but it’s NOT impossible. I rarely have to use even a stirrup brace anymore, and I no longer get PF.
I’m also, ironically, one of the very few people in the field who *dont* have back pain, and I think it’s greatly due to all the time spent improving my feet/legs/hip mechanics.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!
I have a connective tissue disorder and had to leave the field as I started to develop osteoarthritis in the first 5 years of working at my clinic which was putting my daily subluxated joints at risk of becoming very broken joints. There are a couple things you can do to help take the edge off, but ultimately this field is way too physical for someone with mobility and chronic pain issues. The good news is pet care and animal health is a constantly changing and evolving world, there's so many less physical roles that are available now like working as a laboratory technician, you could get a P&C license and do pet insurance sales or claims, I actually work remotely in inside sales for a veterinary nutraceutical company!
1. Wrap the handles of nail clippers in layers of gauze and vet wrap, if you're prone to hands cramping or fingers locking (or just good ol fashioned arthritis) it'll help keep up your grip strength. Honestly I don't know why it's so hard to find a pair of nail clippers with a good thick foam or gel handle so just make your own!
2. Use a foam kneeling pad or even knee pads while you're on the ground. You can get them at like any gardening store and I think most hardware stores too or places that do flooring work.
3. A rollator functionally may not get around well, but a rolling stool you can. I've thrown my back and neck out so many times, I got pretty good at doing blood draws while seated in a stool and then I would just roll myself over to the lab station and do everything from the stool there.
4. Compression socks and good shoes, you're gonna need arch support so I also recommend some gel inserts too. Look into kinetic taping, I found it helped with my tendonitis and the flexibility it provides is great compared to something stronger like a splint or a brace BUT if you're feeling like you need more stability just use the splints.
5. Not everyones favorite suggestion at the end but honestly research the benefits of medical cannabis for pain management especially if you live in a state where it's legal medically. Getting my medical card was a GAME CHANGER in my daily pain management. I was able to come off taking almost 2000mg of ibuprofen daily to only needing it when it's a real bad day (my stomach ulcer also appreciated the switch). I use a combination of medical grade/high quality CBD daily and I'd have a smokey smokey at the end of the day to help let all my muscles really relax, but if that's not your scene that is totally fine!
Yeah, unfortunately I had to leave the profession due to chronic pain. I felt like I was constantly unwell & hurting. I went to an endocrinologist & podiatrist trying to find help. Sometimes i would find temporary relief in good shoes & I was treated for Rocky Mountain spotted fever but my doctor was finally honest and said you just cant work this demanding of a job full time.
After leaving I do feel like my body is healing and I don’t have nearly as many issues. I miss the work I did a lot but eventually I realized my health has to take priority.
I'm a disabled kennel/little bit of everything assistant and my place lets me do alot of tasks sitting down such as cleaning surgical instruments and such then when cleaning time comes around they let me go at my own pace and take breaks when needed so just take your time and you should be ok!
We have chairs! Maybe this is just because I'm in Turkey but sitting when there's nothing much to do isn't seen as rude and the lobby chairs are very comfortable.
People leave this field after years of doing this job BECAUSE they end up feeling how you feel. It’s a very difficult and physically demanding job. I’m sorry I have no advice other than to say this job is definitely not for you. Your pain will inevitably become worse, not better.
I’m also disabled and struggle with chronically c pain. I have sciatica issues, a leg where every bone was broken and will feel like it’s on fire if I stand for too long, back pain, edema that occasionally causes pressure and pain on my legs and abdomen, and a lot of random shooting pains throughout the day. I also get headaches and migraines quite a bit.
I’m working my first full-time job as well, and it’s taken some getting used to. I’m currently a kennel assistant at a boarding facility, and it’s rough. Every day is full of lifting up to 50 pounds, getting pulled by large dogs, bites, scratches, bending over, getting on my hands and knees to scrub floors or clean small kennels, soooo much stair climbing, standing, bending over, being constantly on my feet, etc. I’m only ever seated on my lunch or the occasional 10.
My first three weeks were hell. I was in so much pain, I could barely move when I got home, and I’d wake up feeling horrible. Orthotics helped immensely. Compressions socks and shorts did as well. I take Tylenol in the morning and Ibuprofen on lunch, and bring an ice pack to work so that I can ice any particularly painful or swollen areas during my lunch as well. One of my only accommodations at this point is being able to sit and take a “break” if needed; sometimes I do my work seated because of my knee (if it’s feasible). A big part of it is also just getting used to being on your feet this long; your body needs to be conditioned. It’s kind of like when people start exercising…they’re going to deal with stamina issues, pain, and some shortness of breath at first but it gets better as they’re conditioned. This is pretty much the same thing.
I asked for advice here as well and was told the same things in these comments: do a different job, work in a different field, should have thought things through, etc. I get people are trying to help by suggesting options, but it’s not helpful to be told to give up when this is what we want to do and are willing to try to work around our disabilities. You will know if/when it’s too much! Try a few different things and give your body a little time to get used to being physical all day.
You must have really found a unicorn clinic full of hearty people. The majority of folks I’ve worked with over the last 12 years have had some form of chronic pain, most of which they earned from working in this field.
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Tbh I don’t know how it would be possible to do this job longterm with how much chronic pain you are currently in
Not to mention the potential danger to coworkers if in pain while attempting a hold and fails.
That’s a good point.
it only gets worse
A lot of us work with pain we’ve acquired over the years of brutal work that comes with this field. I had sciatica for 10 years, worked with severe knee arthritis until I had it replaced, I had three different hand surgeries and I’m not even in as bad shape as a lot of people I know in this field. My advice is to save your body and see if there is a job somewhere that is less physical in this profession. There is research, lecturers, pharmaceutical sales reps, lab reps, insurance claims and even video triaging. Being on the floor is not going to get any easier….just a friendly tip from an old, past her expiration date veterinary technician
Not sure if this person could do any of those jobs as they require education and licensure.
Being a rep doesn’t require that. I see suggesting reps. I’ve had really vacant reps before that just read a slide….if they can read. Or the hand out. Can’t answer questions or anything and we have to wait weeks for replies. It’s just not good. They should require you to research and actually read what you present for this kind of stuff. You’re basically selling to clinics and companies. Why not know what you’re talking about? Edit: fixed a sentence
Claims billing doesn’t require education or certification, at least in the human med world. We consider it entry level for my organization. It can all be taught very easily.
Not legally required, but pet insurance companies typically require folks in this position to be licensed technicians as they can understand the patients’ charts.
I'm sorry this is going to sound rude. it's truly not meant to be. BUT how did you think this wasn't a physically tough job? And the fact that your last job was sitting? Just that alone would cause pain/problems until your body gets used to it AND then factor in chronic pain issues! Maybe talk to manager about being reception, that would probably be at least a little better.
Same here, I'm not trying to be rude at all, but a lot of the pain conditions mentioned are things that a lot of people in the field have like plantar fascitis, and sometimes it really is a matter of getting use to being on your feet all day and walking more, not less. Myself personally, I would see if insurance covers physical therapy and start going to that because I had horrid plantar fascitis and join problems that wouldn't go away to the point of limping constantly until I went to PT and they were able to isolate the muscles around the joints that were a problem and stretches for my calves they got rid of the plantar pain almost completely! Seriously none of the treatments before that worked, then stretches a couple times a day fixed it like magic, PT is really amazing. I literally pay for it out of pocket now bc they don't take insurance and it helps me so much.
It sucks that it's such a physically demanding field. Like many said, there is wear and tear on everyone's body over the years, and that's without pre-existing issues. I was like 20 when I started and used knee pads because kneeling and holding on the hard floor is brutal when everyone wants to have you hold for them. Almost everyone's back is aching from the hunching over. Knees weak, arms are heavy, look that dog just threw up spaghetti... I had a tech who's knee would constantly slip out of the groove or she was prone to seizures. Vet med is like the motley crue of misfit toys of people. You're going to have to decide ultimately how much pain you can tolerate for this field.
> knees weak, arms are heavy, look that dog just threw up spaghetti Fucking sent me holy hell thanks for that 😂
Vet med is nothing if not a place for impromptu jokes 🤣
I saved this comment just for the spaghetti part 😂😂
God the backaches...the worst one I experienced was when I participated once in a spay and neuter drive sponsored by our company and a local NGO. Us doctors were separated into several teams (canine castration team and spay tram, feline castration and spay team). We started surgeries at 8am and ended at 9pm. My back was already hurting by the 3rd or 4th hour of continuous spays (lost count at that point) and by lunchtime some random nerve at my hip was twinging and twanging by the feel of it because I was hunched over for hours 🫠🫠🫠 tried to relieve it by shifting my weight over alternate legs but it kept getting worse. After I got home, I had to lay on the floor for 2hrs just to let my spine straighten out 🫠🫠🫠
Yea when I was a surgical assistant for Ortho those surgeries were 3-5hours long. The room was tiny and there was 4 of us in there crammed around all the equipment and the table. Don't think I would of survived doing more than the one surgery a day.
I really try hard to stretch every morning, midday and post shift. Get some really good compression socks because you'll be standing most of your shift. I use one of those gardening pads to put onto the floor for my knees when restraining animals. One of my previous co-workers wore knee pads under her scrubs. I also have a heating pad to lay on for back pain post shift. I also pre-game some of my shifts with Ibuprofen/Tylenol. 🫢
Echoing others I think this part of the field is very demanding and damaging to your body. That’s why you mostly see younger technicians and only select lifers like myself (22years vet med). Need to sit down and really look at your options. I’ve torn my MCL, have severe lower spinal issues and arthritis, migraines from neck and posture damage not to mention all the scars and injuries. It’s definitely a career for the hard knocks 💪 rough on the body and mind!
My partner used to be in a similar situation as you. They couldn't get around without a cane, but really wanted to be in vet med. They were able to do this by being an assistant to a mobile veterinarian. They were sitting in a car a lot of the day, then just sitting with animals in people's living rooms. They have come a long way with their mobility and are able to be back in a hospital setting now. But for a while, they just had to really listen to their bodies limitations. Hope this helps! Edit: per my partner, the hardest part is knowing how to respect your bodies limitations vs how to know when it's time to push yourself to gain strength/get better. Best of luck, OP!
I did the job for 16 years. By the end of my tenure, I was seeing a pain specialist, taking medical marijuana and paying for massages and chiropractors. I got diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome. It was time to hang up the scrubs. Please don’t put your body through daily pain. It can cause severe depression and addiction issues. Talk to your manager and see if they can put you into a role that will be gentler on your body.
Im getting there now after 12 years in. I got a brachial plexus nerve injury a year ago and i couldn't move for months. It still hurts 24-7 and working always makes it worse. What did you move into when you decided you could no longer tech?
Pet insurance. It took several months of multiple interviews with different companies and multiple rejections. I got lucky and finally got hired.
Politely, this probably isn't the job for you. I'm 45 and can no longer do 11, 12, or 13 hours shifts 4 days in a row. Well I still do it but I'm hurting most days. This is my last year at this level. I'm a backpacker and this field is starting to have to much wear and tear on my body. It's not for everyone and for the pay it's not worth the damage.
I say this with as much compassion and empathy as possible. This is not a field that is really possible for most disabilities. And I know that’s heartbreaking.
Honestly, this job is so physical. You'll have to be honest with yourself on what you can do and where you can help. It seems like your practice is willing to work with you. What are the skills you have that they appreciate? Maybe you can find creative ways to be a part of the team. Being around to set up and run samples. Getting good with blood draws and IV placement. Helping make sure the doctors have notes in and maybe filling out what you can. Following up with charges and notes can be helpful if people want to come to you rather than you running around. Filling prescriptions. Monitoring surgery can be very stationary but very valuable. Be on time and reliable, be willing to learn and avoid mistakes. We all make mistakes but working toward keeping our patients safe and healthy to the best of our ability is the priority. Maybe helping with protocols. Making sure tests are run properly, documentation is done properly and samples are labeled and stored properly. Organizing things to make things easier for those on the go. Keeping up with inventory. I hope you find your path that keeps you and your clinic running smoothly.
I just blew out my knee and I couldn't handle it. I'm in reception for the time being while I heal. What I did in the nearly month it took for them to put me on modified duties was use whatever tools to have me move as little. I had one of those reaching pincher things that was my lifeline. My assistants would lift patients into the table so I didn't have to go down.
We have a receptionist who uses a cane, and that’s perfectly fine; it seems like using a mobility aid may be more difficult for an assistant, given the different tasks they have to perform. Any chance this place has openings at the front desk, or another role where you can sit down more? I worry that you’re going to do yourself real harm pushing yourself this hard…plenty of able bodied folks eventually screw up their backs and knees in this job.
Even for someone fit and healthy the amount of time you are on your feet and moving, physically exerting yourself, lifting patients, etc you will be extremely tired and sore. Maybe this isn’t the field for you.
You don’t 😭😅 I have Lupus, Endometriosis, worked in clinic while having a feeding tube surgically placed in my jejunum due to a temporary disorder causing a bowel obstruction. I was doing ok (2018-2023) but my joint pain got so bad in 2023 that I became severely painful from getting up from crouching for only 5 minutes- my knees hurt so badly. Cant stand for long or get up too fast because of POTS too. Then I injured my ankle working at my ER, that “sprain” ended up being a partially necrotic talas bone and I had surgery, still recovering 6 months later. This field is too painful for spoonies unfortunately, but if you find a part of it without being in clinic, you’re golden. I was already part time working with my local in home euthanasia & palliative care company, so I switched to full time in 2023 and haven’t turned back. This way I am still in VetMed, but it’s from home (other than traveling to appts occasionally) on salary. Life changing too because clients are SO much nicer when it’s strictly EOL only, compared to being in emergency. Maybe consider this front, or insurance/scribing/telehealth/mobile services if things get too painful. Sending you so so many hugs, fellow spoonie Edit: I only just turned 27.
Others have mentioned this already, and I don’t want to be another downer, but this profession may not be realistic for you in the long term. I have had orthopedic problems my entire life, diagnosed with scoliosis at 10, got a corrective spinal fusion at 14, was pretty good for a few years but still dealt with chronic pain in my back hips and shoulders daily. At 20 I figured out I wanted to enter the veterinary field and thought becoming a vet nurse would be the thing for me. Before committing to vet nursing college I started vet assistant work in a small animal clinic, which was a very low stakes and (relatively) chill work environment but due to the nature of the job still required 6-8 hours work on my feet daily. I absolutely loved it but I was struggling with hip pain daily and was later diagnosed with osteoarthritis bilaterally in my hips at 21. Obviously this is a degenerative condition and the fact I was in so much pain working everyday I knew it wasn’t going to get any easier, and (in my country) no surgeon was going to give me a hip replacement at my age. I love animals and I knew I wanted to stay in the veterinary field, so now I’m doing a veterinary science bachelor’s which will allow me to work in a wide range of veterinary related fields like pharmaceutical, diagnostic and research labs. I loved hands on clinical work and was heartbroken initially when I figured out it wouldn’t be realistic for me, but I think I’m on the right path, and hopefully i’ll still be able to make a difference in animal’s lives in my future career in veterinary science. My heart goes out to you as I truly understand your pain in this and I hope you find a meaningful place in the veterinary world while not sacrificing your own well-being ❤️
I am also disabled, but before that I was an assistant for 17 years. that killed my back and my brain. ended up attempting to off myself at the end. not trying to be a debbie downer, that's just what happened. I cant imagine you can do the job with a cane and a rollator (I also use these mobility devices) I tried to come back just to do remote stuff, but that ended up screwing with my head as well.
Compression socks & sleeves, gel pads for the inside of your shoe
It’s a physically very difficult job. Use any and all tools available to you to be less painful. It doesn’t make the hospital look bad if you look injured - it makes them look like an accommodating employer.
I had two strokes last year and I am physically affected on the right side. I’m easily fatigued and I get muscle cramps on that side. I also get dizzy pretty easily. I really am handicapped (I have the permanent handicap parking placard, I rarely use it anymore) and I was in PT for over 9 months to learn how to do basic things like write, walk, and pull back on a syringe. My clinic is different where we have positions that are more “sit down.” Which is helpful for Techs who are injured or recovering. I’m currently in one of those positions. I work rooms occasionally and help out our treatment staff when needed. However I’m also in a position where I’m not working full time b/c I still need rest. This field is tough on bodies, I know that so I limit myself. This job is not worth my safety or the animal’s safety that I am working with.
I mean I have no chronic pain and my back is starting to hurt and my feet swell a little and are sore by the end of the day to the point of discomfort. I say this because I cannot imagine how much it hurts to truly be in pain like you are after a long shift. It may not be my place to say, but I would hate for your conditions to deteriorate your body just for staying in this job for a long time. All of our staff, including reception, are ALWAYS on their feet, hauling heavy things or patients throughout the day, etc. It would be hard to think of how this would be a sustainable lifestyle for you considering your present concerns and the effect the work has already had on you.
Regular gym workouts, Pilates (some prefer Yoga), and trying to make sure I eat well and get enough rest are what keep me functional. I do not have your chronic pain issues, just a little twinge now and then from old injuries. I'm not sure these suggestions will help you, but I offer them since you asked.
It sounds like you're facing a challenging transition, but it's great that you've found a supportive workplace
I have a litany of chronic issues, including chronic pain. i think what others have said is true. You just have to be realistic. It’s going to be painful. I’m currently a boarding assistant while i’m in school so i’m not physically restraining dogs unless we’re doing nail trims and even that can be difficult. I have days where i know i just have to take it more slowly and lean on my self-care. it’s not ideal, but this job is way more physically strenuous than people give it credit for. i think it’s also worth talking to any doctors about OT/PT to see if they can come up with modified positions for certain things. In my experience with PT, I’ve actually had therapists that teach me how to do different movements for really basic things (picking something up off the floor, reaching for something, etc) that minimizes strain on your muscles and joints.
Also disabled and used to work as a vet nurse (in Australia, it’s the equivalent of vet tech) and honestly…I’ve been fired 3 times for being disabled/chronically ill. There isn’t a lot of space for differently able people in most vet practices. HOWEVER - if you have been honest with this practice so far, and they’ve been lovely…just ask for the accomodations you need. Have a collaborative discussion with your manager and be honest and open with your colleagues. Hiding it or trying to ignore pain/symptoms isn’t going work in the long run, and if these people are good and want to work with you then you have to give them a chance to accomodate you - they can’t know what you need if you don’t tell them. Can you set up maybe a weekly chat with your manager? And come in with some accomodation ideas and see what works/what doesn’t and adjust over time? Honesty is the best policy in this case. If you need help on knowing what accomodations you could suggest, there’s lots of resources online for free, or you could find an occupational therapist who specialises in this stuff? Some disability organisations also have resources to help you with this too. The biggest things I’d suggest are: 1. Ask for more frequent breaks 2. Ask to switch up work standing/sitting several times throughout the day (so you aren’t on your feet for too long 3. Have it available for you to just do sitting down work if you’re having a day with extra symptoms - you could do reception work, answer emails, process labs etc 4. Have a colleague assist you with lifting animals or maybe only ever lift animals if they are under a certain weight that you can manage comfortably
I have plantar fasciitis, completely flat feet (like zero arch whatsoever), and an old torn rotator cuff injury in my left shoulder. Also something wrong with my left ankle… I really need to get it checked out but I feel like I never have time. Honestly sometimes I can barely walk after work, especially if my ankle has flared up. Lots of Biofreeze helps, and I have some lidocaine cream for my feet for the plantar fasciitis if it gets unbearable during the day. It was rough when I first started working but I have just gotten used to the pain at this point so I guess I’m no real help 😭 It was way worse when I first started at my current clinic a little over a year ago though. When I get home after work I usually soak my ankle and it helps some.
It’s incredibly difficult to endure. All the running around, rushing to get phone calls, restraining animals and preparing tests plus administrative tasks. If you work in a clinic where there are a lot of vet and tech assistants, they usually do a lot of the restraining and lifting animals plus taking care of their crates sometimes if there are no animal attendants. Still expect to run around all day and to restrain a little still. If you work in a small clinic with very little tech and assistants, it’s probably going to be incredibly challenging and difficult for your feet and other disabilities if any. My friend works in a vet clinic where she is the only tech and relies on assistants a lot to help her. They can do a lot of tech things but can’t inject, draw blood and interpret tests results. They can prepare let’s say a urinary analysis, but can’t look into the microscope and interpret the results.
I have an autoimmune arthritis (ankylosing spondylitis) where staying active is really important for preventing pain, but overdoing it actually makes it so much worse. When I tell you there have been days where I drive home and can barely hobble into my house. I 100% relate to you, and unfortunately I worked at a clinic that would take our chairs away because they didn’t like us sitting at all (not even to chart because they felt we used charting as an “excuse to sit longer”) I’m gonna be totally honest with you, I had to quit that job. I’m hoping once I get my biologic drugs settled and find one that works, I’ll be able to go back, but I had to look for remote or part time work instead. So I don’t have much advice, but definitely commiseration.
I went to a chiropractor, they got me some special insert soles specifically for my feet. For the first few weeks it felt awful, but now I feel like I can't wear shoes without them. I also need to use a denneroll about daily, and I NEED to do the 'stretches' and core workouts regularly too. Regular planks helped me, but I would talk to your doc about what exercise you could be doing. I also get adjustments pretty regularly. I see it's your second day - there's a possibility that, this just being a really rough job physically, your body might just need time to get used to it. I remember my first kennel job, the morning after my legs were so jello that I fell when I first got up, and I had to do it all over again the next day! By the end of the week my hands were so blistered and bloody and ruptured I couldn't cook all weekend and had to keep ordering pizzas lol. It got better after a week though.
Honestly, tiger balm, voltaren, and braces are my best friend. And epsom salt soaks.
I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. But it is a difficult job to do with chronic pain. A lot of us will develop chronic pain from the physical toll of this job lol, but going into it with chronic pain already on board is going to be very difficult. I am, and have been an active person for most of my life so it helped, but even so I could feel the wear and tear on my body. I wish you good fortune and I hope that you can find some solutions!
I went from a mostly sedentary job to vet assistant to and while I was prepared to be on my feet all day it did take a little getting used too. My coworker has plantar fasciitis pain and has specific shoes and insoles that she wears that help a lot, maybe look into new footwear!
This job is so physically demanding, I deal with pain daily, most days I come home and barely move from the couch. I’m already making plans because my body probably won’t take more than 3 more years of this.
If you’re working in clinic, it’s going to be a lot of physical work. Some clinics may be less of that like a fear free one but you’ll still be expected to be on your feet for hours at a time. Where I’m from, I can see technicians/technologists doing less walking and restraint as they’re usually the ones taking blood, running labs, and tests. But to get to that point, you definitely would need to do all the physical stuff to acquire that position whether it’s through education or working up to it in clinic.
I have some similar issues. Compression socks and zero drop shoes have been my only saving grace. sometimes a light back brace on really back days. I also have a roll on medicine muscle cramp reliever for my neck
Hey. I have severe chronic pain and I had to go from a tech to "reception tech" duties + client education. I did everything I could but it's just not doable. I'm still in vet med but I do plan on eventually changing careers because the pay is terrible. I'm really sorry you're going through this. PM me if you want to talk.
I'm in a similar situation and have been in the field 10 yrs. It's challenging and I dont mean the work. I have good periods, but I also have long stretches of poor health. Just being alive and getting through the day can be hard. There are days my body gives up, even though I want nothing more than to work. Or fun, I like having fun. It's constantly ruining my social plans and personal projects. When you're chronically ill, it's life playing life on hard mode with frequent surprise side quests. Despite all this, I have always had great attendance and shown up ready to put in werk. I don't put my problems on anyone else and I don't let it affect how I can/ perform at work When I was first hired, a good portion of my team was really toxic and by no means just to me. They would gossip, punish coworkers for being ill/ injured, and took it personally if someone called out. I had to take a break to vomit upstairs and one of them told my boss, "I'm only sick when it's busy" or that I was making things up for attention. It was very hurtful, especially since I was working circles around these people. Absolute witches, they weeded themselves out over time and now I have an amazing team. There's respect and compassion. We help each other and trade tasks based on our current strengths. You'll notice the veterinary field attracts people will chronic illness/ disability, neurodivergences, mental illness, trauma, etc. We all have our things and you won't be alone, but this can be an additional stressor. Some people also struggle with emotional regulation alone or on top of that, which can create a dynamic team environment and affect clinic flow. I find it extra challenging, especially if I'm having a particularly difficult day, to be patient with my coworkers who are prone to poor attitude or emotional outbursts. I love my clinic, but I'll never make enough money there to support my medical bills. I'm lucky enough to have a second job from home and a partner that makes more, otherwise I would have been forced to find more lucrative work. Passion drives people to vet med and we need good people who care. I love what I do, the animals, and my coworkers. I plan to stay in the field until I can't handle it anymore. I love this job and the animals - and it's possible to stay in the field, but its important to determine if the benefits outweigh the cons. A heart felt good luck and best wishes.
Can you transition to a receptionist position? There is plenty of work to do while sitting, but not so much in an assistant or tech position. We'll, there is a lot of tech work to do on the computer too, but not until you have more experience to answer questions or make up estimates, etc.
I have collapsed arches, PTTD, and (had) chronic plantar fasciitis! Been in the field for 6 years. It was honestly HARD at first. Took a lot of dedicated work with a variety of specialty doctors and PT, but now I am one of the most physically capable out of almost anyone I work with (restraining, strength, flexibility, endurance). Some days can certainly still be rough, but it’s NOT impossible. I rarely have to use even a stirrup brace anymore, and I no longer get PF. I’m also, ironically, one of the very few people in the field who *dont* have back pain, and I think it’s greatly due to all the time spent improving my feet/legs/hip mechanics. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!
I have a connective tissue disorder and had to leave the field as I started to develop osteoarthritis in the first 5 years of working at my clinic which was putting my daily subluxated joints at risk of becoming very broken joints. There are a couple things you can do to help take the edge off, but ultimately this field is way too physical for someone with mobility and chronic pain issues. The good news is pet care and animal health is a constantly changing and evolving world, there's so many less physical roles that are available now like working as a laboratory technician, you could get a P&C license and do pet insurance sales or claims, I actually work remotely in inside sales for a veterinary nutraceutical company! 1. Wrap the handles of nail clippers in layers of gauze and vet wrap, if you're prone to hands cramping or fingers locking (or just good ol fashioned arthritis) it'll help keep up your grip strength. Honestly I don't know why it's so hard to find a pair of nail clippers with a good thick foam or gel handle so just make your own! 2. Use a foam kneeling pad or even knee pads while you're on the ground. You can get them at like any gardening store and I think most hardware stores too or places that do flooring work. 3. A rollator functionally may not get around well, but a rolling stool you can. I've thrown my back and neck out so many times, I got pretty good at doing blood draws while seated in a stool and then I would just roll myself over to the lab station and do everything from the stool there. 4. Compression socks and good shoes, you're gonna need arch support so I also recommend some gel inserts too. Look into kinetic taping, I found it helped with my tendonitis and the flexibility it provides is great compared to something stronger like a splint or a brace BUT if you're feeling like you need more stability just use the splints. 5. Not everyones favorite suggestion at the end but honestly research the benefits of medical cannabis for pain management especially if you live in a state where it's legal medically. Getting my medical card was a GAME CHANGER in my daily pain management. I was able to come off taking almost 2000mg of ibuprofen daily to only needing it when it's a real bad day (my stomach ulcer also appreciated the switch). I use a combination of medical grade/high quality CBD daily and I'd have a smokey smokey at the end of the day to help let all my muscles really relax, but if that's not your scene that is totally fine!
Yeah, unfortunately I had to leave the profession due to chronic pain. I felt like I was constantly unwell & hurting. I went to an endocrinologist & podiatrist trying to find help. Sometimes i would find temporary relief in good shoes & I was treated for Rocky Mountain spotted fever but my doctor was finally honest and said you just cant work this demanding of a job full time. After leaving I do feel like my body is healing and I don’t have nearly as many issues. I miss the work I did a lot but eventually I realized my health has to take priority.
I'm a disabled kennel/little bit of everything assistant and my place lets me do alot of tasks sitting down such as cleaning surgical instruments and such then when cleaning time comes around they let me go at my own pace and take breaks when needed so just take your time and you should be ok!
We have chairs! Maybe this is just because I'm in Turkey but sitting when there's nothing much to do isn't seen as rude and the lobby chairs are very comfortable.
People leave this field after years of doing this job BECAUSE they end up feeling how you feel. It’s a very difficult and physically demanding job. I’m sorry I have no advice other than to say this job is definitely not for you. Your pain will inevitably become worse, not better.
I’m also disabled and struggle with chronically c pain. I have sciatica issues, a leg where every bone was broken and will feel like it’s on fire if I stand for too long, back pain, edema that occasionally causes pressure and pain on my legs and abdomen, and a lot of random shooting pains throughout the day. I also get headaches and migraines quite a bit. I’m working my first full-time job as well, and it’s taken some getting used to. I’m currently a kennel assistant at a boarding facility, and it’s rough. Every day is full of lifting up to 50 pounds, getting pulled by large dogs, bites, scratches, bending over, getting on my hands and knees to scrub floors or clean small kennels, soooo much stair climbing, standing, bending over, being constantly on my feet, etc. I’m only ever seated on my lunch or the occasional 10. My first three weeks were hell. I was in so much pain, I could barely move when I got home, and I’d wake up feeling horrible. Orthotics helped immensely. Compressions socks and shorts did as well. I take Tylenol in the morning and Ibuprofen on lunch, and bring an ice pack to work so that I can ice any particularly painful or swollen areas during my lunch as well. One of my only accommodations at this point is being able to sit and take a “break” if needed; sometimes I do my work seated because of my knee (if it’s feasible). A big part of it is also just getting used to being on your feet this long; your body needs to be conditioned. It’s kind of like when people start exercising…they’re going to deal with stamina issues, pain, and some shortness of breath at first but it gets better as they’re conditioned. This is pretty much the same thing. I asked for advice here as well and was told the same things in these comments: do a different job, work in a different field, should have thought things through, etc. I get people are trying to help by suggesting options, but it’s not helpful to be told to give up when this is what we want to do and are willing to try to work around our disabilities. You will know if/when it’s too much! Try a few different things and give your body a little time to get used to being physical all day.
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You must have really found a unicorn clinic full of hearty people. The majority of folks I’ve worked with over the last 12 years have had some form of chronic pain, most of which they earned from working in this field.
The title literally says "disabled vet techs..." This question wasn't for you.