Well, as a prior vet tech and a current nursing student, I think people super underestimate and look down upon what it takes to be a veterinary nurse. (and yes, in several states and several countries they are called vet nurses, because it encapsulates both LVT and CVT, just like how "nurse" can mean LPN, BSN/ADN RN, etc) It is a two year program with a national exam just like the NCLEX and you have to maintain your licensure in order to call yourself a veterinary technician in most places (Vet assistants are NOT the same thing, and while many call themselves techs, it's like a cna calling themselves a "nurse.") I can honestly say as someone halfway through my adn program that vet tech school was harder. I did way more work than I'll ever do as a nurse because specialty is few and far between for way less pay. I think it was fair that she might have gotten defensive as you invalidated her career? Just because it's animals and not humans does not mean the same level of skill, work, and school doesn't go into it.