Introducing Our Clinic Staff

Governor Animal Clinic provides you access to the best in veterinary services. We encourage a continuing partnership between our pet owners and our staff so that all veterinary decisions are not only medically sound, but consider factors such as the emotional, realistic, and financial needs of the owners. Our veterinary staff is a diverse group of individuals who work together as a team to provide the best care for you and your pets.

Your first contact with our clinic is through our client services team. They can help you with just about any question or problem you may have, or can turn you in the right direction for answers. Our management team tackles the non-medical duties such as finances, regulatory compliance, inventory and supplies, and human resources.

Our outpatient team is made up of both registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) and trained veterinary assistants. The outpatient team is responsible for admitting patients into exam rooms that include recording weights, vital signs, and collecting important background information so the veterinarian is fully prepared when he or she begins the exam. Other duties include filling prescriptions and performing in-house lab work and diagnostics. Many of the in-house lab results are completed while you are still here so the appropriate treatment can begin immediately. Our dedicated team is always available for technician appointments (vaccines, nail trims, minor treatments, etc.) and phone consultations (behavior problems, medication questions, bereavement counseling, etc.).

The inpatient team of RVTs and veterinary assistants ensure that your hospitalized pet is provided with the utmost quality and specialized veterinary care. Our in-patient team assists in diagnostic, medical and surgical procedures, emergencies, anesthetic monitoring, specialized treatments, all radiographic procedures, dentistry, and client education. Our inpatient team's thoroughness rivals any human hospital around.

What is a Registered Veterinary Technician?

Veterinary hospitals are somewhat like human hospitals… there are the doctors, registered nurses, nurses, and assistants. In veterinary hospitals, our “nurses” are similar to registered nurses, they are called Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVT), and we have assistants as well. Most clients know who the veterinarians are in a veterinary hospital, but often don’t know the difference between licensed and unlicensed staff. We feel it is important that pet owners understand the critical role our RVT’s play in the day-to-day workings of Governor Animal Clinic. Here's an overview of the role our RVTs play as part of the dedicated team that cares for your beloved pet:

Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) RVTs are skilled animal nursing professionals who have completed a Board-approved education and training program, and have passed a State or National-administered licensing examination. Many of our RVTs have associates degrees as well. RVTs must complete 20 hours of approved continuing education (C.E.) every 2 years, prior to renewing their license in California. In California, there are certain veterinary medical tasks that a veterinarian can delegate to an RVT, but only if the veterinarian has examined the patient first.

Below are a handful of tasks that R.V.T.’s perform on a daily basis:

Preparing animals, instruments, and equipment for surgery

Administering anesthesia

Taking vital signs

Assisting in diagnostic, medical, and surgical procedures

Extracting teeth

Suturing skin and oral tissue

Applying a splint or cast, apply or change bandages, dress wounds

Providing specialized nursing care

Creating a relief hole in the skin for placement of an intravascular catheter

Operating radiographic equipment

Performing specific emergency lifesaving procedures

Collecting lab samples; Drawing blood and running lab and urine samples

Talking to pet owners about their pet's condition

Preparing and taking care of equipment and supplies

Administering vaccinations and medications