Love Animals? Help Keep Pets Healthy with a Veterinary Technology Degree
February 7, 2009
•SBC-Fenton
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Do you love animals? Are you concerned about the humane treatment of animals? Veterinary technicians help treat sick or injured pets every day. Veterinary technicians provide support to licensed veterinarians in animal hospitals, veterinary offices and animal clinics, similarly to the way nurses aid doctors in their work. Individuals who have competed veterinary technology courses and a veterinary technology degree may find opportunities to work with both veterinarians and pet owners. Veterinary technicians not only work to treat sick or injured animals, but also teach safe and healthy pet care practices to pet owners. Working as a veterinary technician, while being physically and emotionally demanding, can be a highly rewarding and fulfilling career.
Help and Protect Animals with Veterinary Technology Training
Veterinary technicians help ensure that animals brought to veterinary offices, clinics and animal shelters are treated humanely and given proper medical care and attention. Veterinary technicians, who have completed veterinary technology courses in veterinary technology programs, provide a wide range of support to veterinarians. Common responsibilities include: performing urinalysis and basic blood tests for sick animals and assisting veterinarians in making proper diagnoses. Individuals, who have completed veterinary technology courses, may also find opportunities to administer and develop x-rays and radiographs, help administer anesthesia and provide specialized nursing care to animals.
Many pet owners consider their pets members of the family. Skilled veterinary technicians also help teach pet owners how to properly care for their animals, prevent sickness and promote a healthy life through exercise, diet and medication.
Veterinary Technology: A Growing Field
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics named veterinary technology a rapidly growing field. Employment opportunities for those who have completed veterinary technology courses and a veterinary technology degree are expected to increase by 41%, from 2006 to 2016, significantly faster than the national average for all occupations. Six out of ten pet owners currently use veterinary services. This statistic is expected to rise as pet owners become more affluent and willing to spend more money on their pets. The demand for individuals who have completed veterinary technology programs is expected to be particularly high to fill this need. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Veterinary Technologists and Technicians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos183.htm (visited January 09, 2009).
Veterinary technology training is necessary to help licensed veterinarians provide quality humane veterinary care to their patients. Sanford-Brown College-Fenton's (SBC) Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology program provides students with both veterinary technology courses and hands-on veterinary technology training through supervised clinical externships. Students in the veterinary technology program at SBC Fenton will complete courses such as:
- Animal Health Management
- Veterinary Laboratory Techniques
- Veterinary Surgery Topics
- Veterinary Anesthesia Topics
Take your first step towards a veterinary technology degree today! To learn more, click here.
Sanford-Brown - Fenton is close to many locations:
Ballwin, MO - approximately 8.0 miles
St. Peters, MO - approximately 28.2 miles
O'Fallon, MO - approximately 28.0 miles
St. Louis, MO - approximately 19.7 miles
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook
, 2008-09 Edition, Veterinary Technologists and Technicians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos183.htm (visited
January 09, 2009).