The Veterinary Technology Blog

Veterinarians have been using traditional 3D printing for some time to create custom prosthetics and orthopedic implants tailored to individual animals' unique anatomy, thereby enhancing surgical interventions' outcomes. 3D bioprinting takes this technology a step further by fabricating tissues and organs using living cells, which holds promise for regenerative therapies and personalized medicine in veterinary practice.

One major issue pet owners face is how to alleviate their pets' pain and discomfort due to age, injury, or illness. Dogs and cats are known to hide their pain, making it challenging for pet owners to identify when their pets need relief.

Despite the deep affection and well-meaning intentions most pet parents hold for their animals, it is not uncommon for them to inadvertently make mistakes that can affect their pet's health and well-being. These errors often stem from a lack of knowledge rather than a deficiency of care or love. Understanding the subtleties of pet healthcare, nutritional needs, and behavioral management can be complex. Without proper guidance, even the most devoted pet owner can find themselves unknowingly compromising their pet's quality of life.

In people, cannabis is known to alleviate chronic pain, reduce anxiety, and even aid in the management of conditions like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. These benefits stem from cannabis's active compounds, such as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which interact with the body's endocannabinoid system. With such positive outcomes in human medicine, it's natural for pet owners and veterinary professionals to wonder if and how these therapeutic effects might translate to our four-legged companions.

Veterinary technicians are crucial in animal healthcare, providing essential care and support to our beloved pets and livestock. They are the backbone of any veterinary practice, performing various functions from conducting laboratory tests to assisting in surgeries. In the unique role of a traveling vet tech, these professionals take their skills on the road, providing vital services to areas where veterinary care is scant or nonexistent.

Like many other sectors, the field of veterinary medicine grapples with the challenge of ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion. Historically, the veterinary profession has been predominantly white and male, and while other professions have made strides towards a more diverse workforce, this field has been lagging behind.

Veterinary technicians, often called vet techs, are crucial in providing compassionate animal care. They fulfill myriad responsibilities, including administering medication, assisting in surgeries, conducting laboratory tests, and offering routine healthcare advice to pet owners. To become a vet tech, students must complete a two-year associate degree in veterinary technology, although some pursue a four-year bachelor's degree.

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.

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).

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), “Cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication to bully someone, typically by sending or publicly posting messages that are intimidating or threatening.” This is beyond a simple bad review and is a serious issue in many veterinary facilities. In fact, 40 percent of AVMA members surveyed said they, or someone they work with, has been a victim of cyberbullying.

A 2022 report published by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America found that 40 percent of the veterinary technicians who responded to their survey about their state’s title protection laws answered incorrectly. The report also found that, at the time, 31 states had no title protection for veterinary technicians, and ten only had limited protection. This means that in well over half the states in the country, anyone can call themselves a veterinary technician with no legal ramifications.

Working with animals in a veterinary clinic requires specialized education. The two primary career options in veterinary care are as a veterinarian or a veterinary technician. Both professions play critical roles in ensuring the health and well-being of animals but have very different job duties and educational requirements.

Much like any other industry, the veterinary industry underwent significant changes during the Covid-19 pandemic. Recent research found that everything from clinic protocols, patient admissions and discharges, deliveries, shipments, appointment scheduling and duration, and the availability of food, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment were profoundly impacted. Clinics had to adapt and implement new practices to ensure the safety of their staff, clients, and patients.

The NAVTA launched the Veterinary Nurse Initiative (VNI) in 2016 to combat title confusion. This initiative aims to change and standardize the title of veterinary technician to registered veterinary nurse (RVN). The scope of the job and required education wouldn’t change, just the name used for licensing purposes. The title was carefully chosen after a large survey.

With the internet, many more people without physical access to training can pursue careers assisting veterinarians as veterinary technicians. The schools on this list offer online programs for veterinary assisting, both certification for veterinary assistants and degrees for veterinary technicians, to students nationwide.