If you have a love of animals, and would like to work in a veterinarians office – but you either don’t want to become a veterinarian yourself, or your situation requires you to go to work sooner than it would take to become a veterinarian, you might want to consider becoming a veterinarians assistant, or a veterinary technologist.
A veterinary assistant and a veterinary technician is essentially the same thing, and require two years of school. A veterinary technologist, however, is different, and this requires four years of school. A veterinary assistant or technician can be compared to a licensed practical nurse, and a veterinary technologist can be compared to a registered nurse. Either of these choices, however, will make you eligible for employment in veterinarian’s offices, in zoos, or at aquariums. Animal shelters, boarding facilities, rescue organizations, and animal research facilities are also possibilities for employment in these fields.
Veterinary technologists often perform the various medical tests that are necessary for treating an animal. Technicians, on the other hand, usually assist the veterinarian or the technologists in their duties. In either case, the education that you receive should come from a school or program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, or AVMA.
The earnings that are possible for these fields range from $20,000 per year up to about $40,000 per year. Naturally, veterinarian technologists earn more than technicians, and those who are in research jobs tend to make the highest salaries.
While laboratory experience will be required, most of your education can be obtained online. This is especially true in the case of veterinarian assistants, where the entire program can usually be completed online; however there will usually be requirements for field training that can be obtained locally as well. Make sure that you understand the requirements for the veterinary courses online that you are considering.
Veterinary Courses Online Resources
Course Title: Veterinary Assistant
Name of Company: Gatlin Education Services
Location: 109 East 3rd Street, Suite 350, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Description: This is a nationally recognized online program for veterinary assistants. This is an extremely well rounded course teaching the student everything that is required for a career in this field. The program is offered through universities nationwide.
Resources: http://www.gatlineducation.com/veterinaryassistant.htm
Course Title: Veterinary Assistant or Technician
Name of Company: Professional Veterinary Assistant School
Location: 26100 Towne Centre Drive, Foothill Ranch, California, United States
Description: This program takes anywhere from three to sixteen months to complete, and there are options for classroom training and distance learning.
Resources: http://www.vetassistant.com/
Course Title: Veterinary Technician
Name of Company: Animal Behavior College
Location: Online, United States
Description: This is a written curriculum with eleven stages of study. You will receive three text books and detailed study guides. The course includes a twenty week externship.
Resources: http://animalbehaviorcollege.com/VeterinaryAssistant/?id=200020
Course Title: Veterinary Technology Program
Name of Company: Purdue University
Location: Purdue University offers a variety of degree programs for those who want to work in a veterinarian’s office. This includes the 2 year associate degree program, the 4 year bachelor program, and other options for graduate school as well.
Description: 625 Harrison Street, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
Resources: http://www.vet.purdue.edu/vettech/
Course Title: Veterinary Specialist
Name of Company: U.S. Career Institute
Location: 2001 Lowe Street, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
Description: This is an online program which can be completed in four months, but you can take as long as you need to complete your training.
Resources: http://www.uscareerinstitute.com/veterinaryspecialist.asp
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