VETERINARIAN TECHNICIAN By: Cecelia Plotzke

Vet Tech Description & Duties  For many individuals, the ability to obtain high quality and modern vet care for their companion animals is more important than ever before.  In addition, the rising importance of maintaining humane conditions for livestock and other production animals and the increasingly strict enforcement of animal care regulations has made effective veterinary care extremely important to farms and other businesses involving production animals.  Because of this, the field of veterinary medicine is experiencing a high demand for qualified veterinary technicians who can assist vets and other professionals in providing the care that America has come to expect for animals of all types.  The possibilities are limitless when it comes to staying on top of animal health and new advances in animal medicine. Your education will go a lot further than just what you learned in school. You will learn the best way to get that terrified cat out of the cage and then be able to draw blood from that same cat without getting bitten. You learn how to hit those tiny veins in puppies and kittens.  There is so much that you will learn as you are working as a vet tech and that is the best part. Wait until you can look up from listening to that dog’s heart beat and tell the doctor about the heart murmur you hear, before the doctor has even listened. The satisfaction you will feel in times like this makes it all worthwhile.

Educational Requirements.  A 2-year associate's degree in veterinary technology equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as veterinary technicians. Alternately, an associate's degree program for animal science may offer veterinary technology as an area of emphasis. Practical training is often offered as part of a degree program in veterinary technology. Graduates are prepared to move directly into assistant positions at animal hospitals, veterinary practices and similar settings. They are also qualified to enroll in an advanced 4-year bachelor's degree program for animal science or pre-veterinary studies.

High school classes that would be helpful.  High School classes that would be helpful when preparing for my career are math and science.

Experience you already have.  I have the math and science experience for schooling.  For real life experience I grew up with animals, and I have three now, I have a dog and two cats.

College’s that have the vet tech Program.  Sanford- Brown College. Ohio State University – Main Campus  University of FloridaTexas A&M University  Michigan State University University of Illinois at Urbana  University of Wisconsin – MadisonPurdue University – Main Campus  University of Maryland – College Park  University of Georgia  North Carolina State University  Miami Dade College  St. Petersburg College  University of Nebraska – Lincoln  Daytona State College  University of Alaska Anchorage  Madison Area technical College  North Dakota State University – Main Campus  Murray State University

Things to think about before you go into your study:  How will I handle the new learning?  How will I be in the field?  What will happen if I don’t succeed in the work?  How will I try my best at the work and in the field?

Things to think about after your study.  Where will I get a job?  How will I get the job?  When will I get a job?  How will I pay for a house?

Job market for your job.  The job market for my job is good so far, but its not sure about the future.

Questions.  What is the job market for your field?  The job market for my job is good so far, but its not sure about the future.  Is your field growing or shrinking?  My field is a growing one.  Is it something that will be around for many years to come?  I believe that it is going to be around for a very long time.  Would you need to move out of the state?  No, unless there were no open jobs.  Are you willing to relocate for this career?  it depends on where too, but yes.  What other factors should you consider?  I might have to move, it might not be in the best neighborhood.

Fun Facts!  Veterinary technician goes by a few other names such as veterinary technologist and animal health technician or technologist.  Also, a fact would be that as a veterinary technician, you wouldn't only be assisting in the medical room behind closed doors in animal clinics and hospitals; you would also have the opportunity to work in animal shelters, zoos, pet centers, farms and so on.  A third fact would be that when getting an education, you would not be limited to attending a day to day campus as many institutes have placed themselves online! Hence, you can pursue your education with the click of a mouse from the comfort of your own home with distance learning.  Lastly, veterinary technicians don't only help in treating the animals and taking down information, they also have the license to train the animals to do tricks, obtain better behavior and so on.