SOAP Notes

Irreverent Confessions of a Veterinary Technician

By: Frannie O’Callaghan

Narrated by: Laurie Catherine Winkel

“Dishing the dirt on what it’s really like to work in a vet clinic.” Dr. Philipp Schott DVM, author of The Accidental Veterinarian

With years of experience as a Registered Veterinary Technician, Frannie O’Callaghan offers an unapologetic window into the daily encounters of the humans who take care of pets. This whip-smart but darkly humorous confessional spans from the Patients who bite, claw, urinate, or defecate in scrub pockets. Are the few and farther in-between moments of wagging tails and slobbering tongues worth it?

Then come the outlandish Clients, including the heinous antics of a local man of the cloth, or the conspiracy theorists convinced of veterinary schemes to “grab ‘em and stab ‘em.” All the way to Coworkers along for the bloody, vomit-filled daily grind. For a job that demands a high skill level and stress-tolerance for relatively little monetary compensation, Vet Techs need a reason to stay. Moments of levity, healing patients, colleagues helping to push through this absurd profession, or cuddling beloved animal companions—somewhere amid the chaos is beauty that brings them to work every day.

Between heavy doses of swearing, snark, licking wounds, and an occasional jab at the heartstrings, SOAP Notes: Irreverent Confessions of a Veterinary Technician dishes up the roaring, goring, and never boring chronicles of veterinary life.

©2025 Vine Leaves Press (P)2025 Frannie O'Callaghan

Clever writing, great narration

Enjoyed this! We have close friends that are vets and chuckled along with some of the tales told. Well written, deliciously sprinkled with Dad jokes, and ripe with kernels of wisdom and realism for aspiring veterinary professionals. Narrator was a pleasure to listen too. It was an extra layer of fun to feel the sisterly bond (and input) throughout the story! Highly recommend!

Ditto

Yes, there was a lump in my throat a few times, others where I jumped up on the SOAP box with the author and times where I can professionally agree to disagree about, but not where life or death or good medicine are not as risk. Narration was well done. Many of us in the veterinary field had a potty mouth and a dark sense of humor, but that is sometimes the only way to survive.

Practical Advice

I enjoyed this witty, candid description of the life of a vet tech. The author details her life experiences and expertise. Her sister narrated wonderfully.

Informative View from a Vet Tech

This gives people a in depth and formative view of what challenges veterinarian technicians deal with and go through.
It also shows how with all they do and assist the animals and people they come in contact with that they are not actually paid much and it is a job of love.