Your pet's veterinarian is the person you talk with most, but a whole team works alongside every doctor at Columbia Pike. Veterinary assistants are a big part of that team. So what does a veterinary assistant do?
Keshon Smith has been answering that question at our Annandale hospital for three years. In the first episode of Meet Your Team, he explains it in his own words, along with what happens when a pet comes in scared and the part of the job he did not expect to love.
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What does a veterinary assistant do all day?
“There’s two parts of it,” Keshon says. The first is caring for the pets who stay with us. Columbia Pike is open 24 hours, so some patients spend a night or several days in the hospital while they recover. Assistants take them for walks, keep their spaces clean, hand out treats and give them the attention and stimulation that keeps a hospital stay from feeling lonely.
The second part is medical. Keshon helps our doctors with vaccines, nail trims and blood draws, and, in his words, “basically any type of small animal things we can assist the doctors with.”
Keshon Smith helping with a cat’s blood pressure check.
That medical side is easy to miss from the waiting room. A blood draw or a nail trim usually takes two sets of hands: one person to hold your pet gently and steadily, and one to do the work.
What happens when a pet comes in scared?
Keshon starts with empathy, for the pet and for you. “I have my own dog at home,” he says, “and if he has a little cut on his arm, I’m nervous.” He knows the feeling from the other side of the counter, so he tells owners he understands what they are going through.
Then he reminds them who is in the building: “a huge team of people who love animals and want to help animals.” His words to a worried owner are simple. “You’re in good hands. Your child is in good hands.”
A Columbia Pike team member holds a small patient steady while the doctor works.
What part of the job did Keshon not expect to love?
The people. Keshon expected to love the animals. What surprised him was how much he enjoys the owners: hearing how their pets act at home, and telling them what happened in the back. “As soon as he got back there, Buddy rolled over and was begging for treats,” he says, describing the kind of update he likes to give.
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“It builds that relationship, so not only the animal feels safe here, but the client feels safe coming here.” Keshon Smith, Veterinary Assistant, Columbia Pike |
Some clients he does not see for months. When they come back, he greets them like old friends, and he says those relationships and bonds, built over time, are what make the job so fulfilling.
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If your pet needs us tonight Columbia Pike Animal Hospital and Emergency Center is open 24 hours a day, every day, with no additional emergency fee. |
Have more questions about veterinary assistants?
Is a veterinary assistant the same as a veterinary technician?
No. A licensed veterinary technician has completed an accredited program and passed a national exam to earn a license. A veterinary assistant works alongside technicians and doctors, caring for patients and helping with procedures under their direction. Both are part of your pet’s care team.
Will a veterinary assistant help with my pet?
They may. Assistants like Keshon help with vaccines, nail trims, blood draws and the care of patients who stay in the hospital. You can meet more of the people who care for your pet on our team page. Your veterinarian leads every decision about your pet’s care.
Is Columbia Pike open for emergencies?
Yes. Columbia Pike Animal Hospital and Emergency Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no additional emergency fee. Call (703) 256-8414.
How can I plan for my pet’s routine care?
Ask us about our wellness plans, which make routine care easier to plan for. If your pet has Trupanion pet insurance, we bill Trupanion directly, so you only handle your portion at checkout.
Ready to meet the team in person?
Schedule online at columbiapikeanimalh.com/schedule-appointment, or call or text us anytime at (703) 256-8414. We are at 4205 Evergreen Ln in Annandale.
Columbia Pike is part of a family of three hospitals, with Town and Country Animal Hospital in Fairfax and Animal Clinic of Clifton in Clifton.