Is Our Physical Health Not Respected?

It’s no doubt that this job takes a giant toll on our body. How do you all take care of your bodies? I’m currently holding a heating pad on my back since I overdid myself at work today lifting an 80lb German shepherd, bagging and moving a 130 lb Great Dane after a euthanasia. And now it hurts to move. Not the first time this has happened. I’ve also had horrible knees since I was 13. I ride horses and did ballet all my life so my body parts are strained. Vet med took its toll on me for sure. Saddest part is I’m still in my 20s.

I even heard a doctor tell a tech one day “it’s your job to make sure I don’t get bit because my hands are worth more money than yours.” Yes I get that insurance wise, but that felt very de-humanizing to say to someone who is dedicating their life to make the doctor’s job easier.

As mentioned earlier, my knees have been bad since I was 13. I did physical therapy in high school and nothing helped. I recently went and had X-rays done, told nothing was wrong, and was referred to an orthopedist. Unfortunately, a $950 exam fee out of pocket is not feasible for a single person on a tech salary. My insurance doesn’t cover chiropractic work for my constantly sore back. I’m so scared that one day I might seriously injure myself to the point of surgery doing this job and I won’t be able to afford it.