Alyssa Mages took a long road into veterinary medicine, pivoting from a marine biology career in 2004, and even got into vet school before deciding not to go after learning she was pregnant. She finished her veterinary technology degree in 2012, worked full time throughout, added a second child along the way, and eventually moved from relief work into education, teaching as an adjunct professor before founding her own team development company, Empowering Veterinary Teams, in 2019. Outside of vet med she was a competitive synchronized swimmer and coach for 20 years, and these days she paints and sings in a local rock band. This profile first ran on Relief Rover, the relief-vet community platform that joined Hound in 2023.

In Her Own Words

Everyone has a story, what's yours? What inspired you to become a technician or nurse?

"Like one of my favorite songs, mine is definitely a long and winding road. I initially set out to become a marine biologist and pivoted to veterinary medicine in 2004. After a few volunteer positions, kennel, reception, assistant, I happily became a scrub nurse and assistant at a specialty and ER hospital in Vancouver, BC. I loved it so much that I applied to vet school, got in, and didn't go, because I found out I was going to be a mom. Fast forward to 2012, and I'd finished my AS in Veterinary Technology and gotten my CVT. I was working full time throughout school, added a second kid to the crew, then pivoted into education as an adjunct professor for a few years, and once again swiveled into a leadership role focused on education and development. My inspiration is being the voice for the voiceless. That started with my patients, but it's grown to include my teammates and coworkers too, which led me to launch Empowering Veterinary Teams, LLC in 2019."
Alyssa Mages

What roles have you held outside of this industry?

"I was a synchronized swimmer for 20 years, and a coach too, I love that sport and the athletes in it. I'm a mom to two spectacular humans, a 15 year old daughter and a 10 year old son, and two furbabies, a two year old Cane Corso who's blind and a 13 year old domestic shorthair cat who's cranky in the best way."
Alyssa Mages

Keeping it PG, what is your favorite relief job story?

"One of my most memorable veterinary stories has to be my first abscess experience. A German Shepherd came in with an anal gland abscess, and at the time I was so new that everything was fascinating, so I was always asking questions. I was mid question when the abscess ruptured, a direct shot into my open mouth. Instant vomit. Lesson learned: when dealing with abscesses, especially anywhere near the hind end, keep your mouth shut."
Alyssa Mages

How do you feel that relief practice supports the veterinary profession as a whole?

"It lets the team actually use their paid time off, take a real break, and come back stronger. Relief work also lets you gain insight and knowledge from every practice you work with."
Alyssa Mages

What are your favorite things about being a relief tech?

"The medicine, I love the science. The patients, being their advocate and their voice, and providing them medical care and physical comfort. The teams, being part of the experience and witnessing those aha moments."
Alyssa Mages

Techs are known for their Mary Poppins pockets that seem to contain the world. What supplies or equipment do you bring with you on the job?

"Stethoscope, bandage scissors, mini hemostats, pens, and my nerd book."
Alyssa Mages

What are your least favorite things about being a relief tech?

"Seeing team members burning out and wearing down."
Alyssa Mages

Have you picked up any unique practice tips?

"Absolutely, how much time do I have? The biggest thing I want every single member of a veterinary team to know is that they aren't 'just' anything. Own your awesome, and know that you're an integral part of the team. The other takeaway is that training should be an essential part of the practice, clinical and human skills shouldn't be an afterthought. A robust, thorough, standardized approach that covers a new team member from onboarding through growth and development can make a real difference."
Alyssa Mages

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about becoming a relief tech?

"Speak up, early and often. No one will be a better advocate for you than you. If you're considering being a relief tech, make sure you allocate enough time for yourself, and don't overreach."
Alyssa Mages

How has the pandemic affected your relief work?

"We had to pivot from in person training to virtual and distance models, which, amazingly and luckily, has really worked. That said, I can't wait to get back out on the ground with veterinary teams."
Alyssa Mages

What states do you currently work in? Any other states in your sights?

"I'm primarily in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but we have clients throughout Canada and the US."
Alyssa Mages

Aside from English, what languages do you speak?

"Conversationally, and very minimally, Spanish, French, and German. Basically I can greet someone, ask how they're doing, ask for directions, and say please and thank you. I need to take the time to actually improve my language skills, and I'd love to learn ASL."
Alyssa Mages

What are your hobbies and passions outside of work?

"I love getting out in nature, hiking, camping, paddleboarding, canoeing, swimming, especially if it means hanging out with friends and family too. I'm also an amateur painter and a singer in a local rock band."
Alyssa Mages