Before a veterinarian performs surgery, a Veterinary Technician prepares the animal by shaving and sterilizing the surgical site, administering sedatives and performing other pre-operative procedures. Veterinary Technicians also assist veterinarians during surgery.
Veterinary Technicians teach animal owners how to administer medication and perform basic medical procedures at home. In many cases, a Veterinary Technician is also responsible for answering questions about general pet care.
It's difficult to perform a thorough examination on a wiggling animal, so a Veterinary Technician assists with every exam. The Veterinary Technician may have to hold the animal in a certain position, hand instruments to the veterinarian or record an animal's vital signs.