Vet techs learn valuable skills

Hot Springs, Montana, may be a small dot on the map, but two veterinary technicians are in a select group. Tammy Marjerrison and Danielle Torgerson are in the middle of a program to become certified equine vet technicians. There are only five people in the state who have been through the program, so the two are in a select group.

The American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians & Assistants program lasts six months and includes online course work and a required in-person lab. Marjerrison and Torgerson went to Lexington, Kentucky, in August for hands-on training on x-ray and ultrasound for horses. There were 52 students in the lab, which was held at Spy Coast Farm's Equine Education Center.

"It was intense," Marjerrison said. One of the biggest takeaways from the Kentucky lab was learning new positions in order to get the best pictures of a horse. "It was really empowering and made us more confident," Torgerson added. Along with practicing on live horses, the group performed scans on cadavers.

"I'm proud of what they are doing," said veterinarian Dr. Mike Marrinan, who has operated the Hot Springs Veterinary Clinic for 48 years. "There's a lot of effort that goes into it and the knowledge gained benefits our clients." The clinic has had a digital x-ray machine for about eight years, but recently purchased a butterfly ultrasound machine as the result of what Torgerson and Marjerrison learned at the Lexington conference. "The new techniques and equipment are really helpful," Torgerson stated, adding that she learned the correct angles for a horse's spine and shoulder, both difficult parts to scan."Diagnosing a horse with a shoulder injury is difficult, but we learned new positions and techniques to help."

Another takeaway from the Kentucky lab was performing ultrasounds on pregnant mares. The new butterfly ultrasound machine can help the technicians see a pregnancy from the outside of the mare, and Marjerrison said it is good for tendons on the horse as well.

Along with the skills lab, the two veterinary technicians have eight pages of skills they must master under the direction of Marrinan. The skills include office procedures, pharmacy and pharmacology, surgical prep and assistance, nursing care and treatment, laboratory skills, diagnostics and reproduction and foals.

Marjerrison said the American Association of Equine Practitioners came up with the AAEVT program in order to recognize vet technicians and offer more education. The lab was taught by veterinarians and vet techs. Along with the AAEVT program, Marjerrison recently passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam to become a licensed veterinary technician. The Montana Legislature passed a bill in 2021 establishing licensing requirements for veterinary technicians. Marjerrison said she studied for the test for a year. The licensure requires a three-hour exam and 4,500 hours of experience. Marjerrison has worked with Dr. Marrinan a total of 22 years, and also spent 15 years as a surgical nurse in Kalispell. She said she prefers working with animals over humans, and loves the surgical aspect of the job. On Friday as Marjerrison and Torgerson sat down for an interview, they were completing a surgery on a dog with Dr. Marrinan.

Both Marjerrison and Torgerson say completing the AAEVT program will offer them more opportunities at the clinic, where Torgerson has worked for nearly four years. Their goal is to complete the program in early 2025. Both said it has been good to go through the program together and learn from each other. "We get to work as a team and bounce ideas off each other," Torgerson said. Marjerrison added that they are excited to share their new knowledge and also help spread word about the program for others who may be interested. "We live in a small area, so people may not know about the program or the opportunity," she said.

Torgerson said she likes working in the Hot Springs clinic because it is family oriented. "You don't find that in other clinics." Her family is fourth generation ranchers, and she has horses, cows, dogs, cats, and chickens in her growing farm. "I've wanted to work with animals since I was little," she explained. "I like learning new things and how to treat the animals." Both said that Dr. Marrinan has been supportive of their venture. "To have Mike be so supportive is great. We're lucky to have this opportunity," Torgerson said.