The Veterinary Technology Blog

Most animal behavior programs are offered in conjunction with a school’s psychology department and enable students to learn many different aspects about animal behavior. Take a look at this list of 7 Top Animal Behavior & Psychology Programs to learn about available degree offerings.

It’s one of life’s many small tragedies that pet lovers often must outlive their animal companions. For many of the estimated 84.9 million households with a pet, the loss of an animal companion is the loss of a family member. Fortunately, a growing trend in hospice and palliative care for animals means that this transition need not be as painful, or as lonely, as it once was.

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University runs the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital, which recently opened a new stereotactic radiation facility that has changed the game in the Midwest. This state-of-the-art facility, which provides precise radiation therapy and helps treat cats, dogs, and even rats is part of a larger trend in the U.S. that could mean more jobs for technicians.

Read about seven great vet tech schools in Southern California that are stand-out for their AVMA accreditation and offering of hands-on learning through externships and other experiences.

Students interested in becoming a veterinarian may want to complete pre-vet training while at the undergraduate level. Typically, this means completing a degree in a related science field, but a few schools even allow students to start their senior year of college as a freshman in a veterinary program. Many schools also have pre-vet clubs that can be helpful in meeting other students engaged in and interested in the field. Read on for more about the various pre-vet programs around the country.

Most people can’t resist the furry allure of pets. Difficult days can easily be turned around by watching hilarious animal antics. Social media has made it possible for animal lovers worldwide to share and view cute content of their cats, dogs, bunnies, hedgehogs, and other unique animals.

Who’s to say a vet tech internship can’t be educational, rewarding, and cool all at once? These internships provide some interesting twists on the traditional. Many are based in zoos or animal rehabilitation facilities, and offer an opportunity to provide supervised, hands-on animal care to a diverse variety of species. Some cater specifically to large farm animals or marine mammals.

Although animals were purely functional for much of human existence, now they play a huge part in our social and emotional well-being. Instead of just being animals we keep for safety and transportation, animals have become like family members to many.

As pet ownership becomes more widespread, services like pet insurance, fun grooming options, and even travel are now offered by fellow pet-lovers. One of the toughest things about going on vacation is having to leave pets behind. But what if you didn’t have to?

Ideally, studying for this exam shouldn’t start after your program is finished. To maximize the amount of info you retain, Hoover recommends recording lectures: “I felt like if I was listening to it just once and taking notes, I was missing stuff, so I would listen in class, record it, and listen to it a second time and fill in any holes in my notes. Then, I could review all my notes from that class and organize them into binders.”

Activists like Hayley Adams and other conservationist leaders that came before her didn’t have a career roadmap when they sought to make a difference in wildlife conservation; they had to etch out their own paths. But now, learning institutions are offering more specialized training programs for individuals that want to join the effort.

If the average hamster or cat isn’t your style, there is a wealth of exotic pets that are legal for you to own. These unusual pets are typically found in the wild, but the right caretaker can provide the perfect environment for those animals to thrive in a domestic setting.

While choosing a veterinarian may seem like an arbitrary one to some, the truth is, not all veterinary hospitals are equal. Some of the top complaints that clients have about their veterinary clinics include unfriendly staff, long wait times, and insensitive handling of delicate situations, like the euthanization of a pet.

Ever wonder what Fluffy the dog does all day while everyone is gone? Does Spike the iguana seem like they have a mysterious past? Noticed that Speedy the Gerbil has started wearing spandex and a cape? Your pet may be a superhero in disguise.

If there is a vet tech in your life who you’d like to appreciate 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.