Veterinary Technician Schools

Veterinary Technicians

Veterinary techs are the nurses of the animal world. Their responsibilities may include administering medication, laboratory analyses, and assisting with surgeries.

Veterinary Assistants

Veterinary assistants maintain veterinary offices. Their responsibilities typically involve scheduling appointments with pet-owners, maintaining medical records, and feeding or grooming patients.

Vet Tech Schools By State

Here is an interactive map which links to detailed pieces about how to become a vet tech in specific states, including discussions of AVMA-accredited programs, salary information, and credentialing procedures.

 

 

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Oregon California Nevada Arizona Idaho Utah Montana Wyoming Colorado New Mexico South Dakota North Dakota Nebraska Kansas Oklahoma Texas Minnesota Iowa Missouri Louisiana Arkansas Wisconsin Illinois Mississippi Alabama Tennessee Kentucky Indiana Florida Georgia South Carolina North Carolina virginia West Virginia Ohio Michigan Pennsylvania New Jersey Rhode Island Connecticut Massachusetts New Hampshire Vermont Maine New York Alaska Hawaii Michigan

Online Vet Tech Schools

For aspiring vet techs living in rural states or those with familial or professional commitments, there are ten AVMA-accredited online vet tech programs. These distance-based programs typically combine online coursework with in-person clinical trainings at approved veterinary facilities close to a student’s home. For example, Indiana-based Purdue University provides an online associate of applied science (AAS) program in veterinary nursing, which comprises 35 classes and 17 mentorships in specific subjects. Notably, between 2020 and 2023, 92.9 percent of Purdue’s online veterinary nursing (formerly named veterinary technology) students passed the VTNE on their first attempt.

 

Ashworth College, based in Georgia, provides 270 hours of clinical experience working with animals. With no scheduled start times, students may enroll anytime and complete the coursework at their own pace, with clinical hours included in each semester. This program is ideal for anyone with a high school diploma or GED who loves caring for animals, but doesn’t necessarily want to put forward the time and money to become a full-fledged veterinarian. Faculty are industry-leaders in their fields with extensive experience, and this is one of the most affordable online veterinary technician programs available.

 

Penn Foster (sponsor) offers competitively priced programs. The Penn Foster veterinary technician associate degree program features two clinical externships for hands-on experience, and has partnerships with some of the largest corporate veterinary hospitals in the country—including VCA Animal Hospital, Banfield, and BluePearl—who recognize the quality of the college’s AVMA-CVTEA fully accredited program. With faculty that include Veterinary Technician Specialists (VTS), textbook authors, and national leaders in the profession, as well as a first-time VTNE pass rate of 78.2 percent (2020-2023), Penn Foster is one of the largest accredited online vet tech programs in the country.

 

Please visit the main online vet tech programs page to learn about the gamut of distance-based programs available and expected coursework.

Become a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS)

Animal-Care
Veterinary Radiology Technician - Vet X-Ray Tech
Veterinary Radiology Technician - Vet X-Ray Tech

Sometimes ill or injured animals need testing that goes beyond a routine veterinary examination. In this case, veterinary radiology technicians can perform advanced diagnostic testing, such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT), nuclear imaging, digital fluoroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Veterinary Nutrition Technician
Veterinary Nutrition Technician

Veterinary nutrition techs provide guidance in maintaining animal health by way of proper eating and exercise routines. They work in animal clinics and hospitals, or offer outpatient consulting services for animals in need. Their responsibilities include keeping abreast of scientific developments in animal nutritional science and providing pet-owner education.

Veterinary Dental Technician
Veterinary Dental Technician

Veterinary dental techs assist in giving animals the dental services they need. They work in private clinics, hospitals, zoos, or large farms. Their responsibilities typically include administering anesthetics, oral cleaning and plaque removal, surgical assistance, and dental hygiene education for animal-owners.

Vet Tech Blog - The Latest

The VTC blog offers a wealth of resources for people interested in veterinary technician schools and careers. It provides advice about education in specialized careers such as equine vet techs and exotic animal vet techs, as well as interviews with esteemed animal healthcare professionals across the country. In addition, VetTechColleges.com bloggers offer a fresh perspective on scholarships, professors, and how to start a career in veterinary technology.

A Guide to Pet Sitting Services for Summer Vacations and Business Trips

Awesome Vet Tech Gifts for the Holidays (2023)

November 9, 2023

If there is a vet tech in your life who you’d like to appreciate with a gift, here are 20 suggestions that are thoughtful, connective, and accessible for any budget. As a bonus, many of the gifts listed also contribute to keeping animals healthy in local communities and across the planet.

A Guide to Pet Sitting Services for Summer Vacations and Business Trips

Moral Distress Among Veterinary Professionals – What to Know

October 31, 2023

Moral distress is a term used to describe the psychological and emotional turmoil that can arise when individuals are faced with a situation where they feel ethically conflicted or unable to act following their moral values. While moral distress is commonly associated with healthcare professionals, such as doctors and nurses, it can also be experienced by veterinary technicians.

A Guide to Pet Sitting Services for Summer Vacations and Business Trips

7 Great Southern California Vet Tech Schools

October 30, 2023

The Southern California vet tech schools featured on this list are all accredited through the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Not only does AVMA program accreditation ensure students that these programs meet the highest educational standards, graduating from an AVMA-accredited program also enables students to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).