Education for Prospective Vet Techs

Answer 1

A veterinary technician, or vet tech, is a valued member of the veterinary practice. People with a love for animals often choose to work directly with a veterinarian to help preserve and restore the health of animals of all shapes and sizes.

A range of career opportunities exist for graduates of vet tech schools. Working in a research laboratory or facility, the veterinary technician may be assigned the duty of feeding the animals. The duty of recording the animals’ behavior often falls to the vet tech. Most vet techs, however, prefer to work in a clinical setting. Working alongside a doctor, the typical vet tech assists in both diagnosing and treating animals. Depending on the directing doctor and the laws of the state, the vet tech may give injections and help restrain animals during treatment. Some veterinarians allow their technicians to assist during surgical procedures or when performing x-rays.

Some educational experience beyond high school is generally required to become a veterinary technician. It is paramount to select an accredited vet tech school for this education. Most clinics require either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, but some facilities will hire students who have graduated from a certificated program. Certificates can usually be earned in about one year. Generally, all vet techs will be required to pass board certification examinations in their state of residency or employment.

Vet tech schools will offer both externships and internships in their curriculum. The student can expect to take classes in anatomy, anesthesiology, animal nursing, and dentistry, among others. Traditional onsite colleges offering degrees for Veterinarian Technicians or Veterinarian Technologists exist in nearly every state. For students who do not reside near a traditional campus, several accredited online colleges and universities offer degree and certificate programs.

Obtaining veterinary technician training from an accredited college or university will often allow the graduate the opportunity to work with a variety of animals. The qualified graduate is in demand and may elect to work with animals that need urgent care. Often zoological parks hire vet techs. Graduating from a vet tech school provides opportunities to specialize in a rewarding career as a veterinary technician.