Looking for advice about getting my vet tech degree?
I am currently working on the road as a photographer (on the road 9 months of the year) but it kills me to be away from my dogs, especially since I have always fostered rescue dogs and I hate not being able to do what I love. My goal with this job was to save enough money to open a Pit Bull Rescue down the road and, while I love my current job, I just feel like I need to be doing something with animals. I have started looking online for online vet tech programs but I'm concerned about their credibility. Does anyone have any advice on this? Would it be worth trying to get my degree online or would it be better to try to find a job near home and go to a traditional college? Also, would should I expect from vet tech school? Is it along the lines of nursing school in difficulty? I always loved anatomy and physiology in high school but I'm a bit concerned about other science courses. Any advice would be welcome. Also, I have been contacting shelters in my travels to offer to transport dogs (I drive from NY-CA and back a few times a year) and would love to be helping animals along the way but have never found a shelter interested. Do anyone know of any websites or rescue centers that might be able point me in the right direction?
Holly2012-10-11T16:37:00Z
Favorite Answer
I wouldn't take the course online unless it is being offered as an online option from a reputable/well respected college(which should also have an on campus program). The Animal Health Technology programs offered are 2 year programs and differ from school to school but I definitely wouldn't consider this a difficult program. Also, this is not a degree. It is a certification program. If you would like to take have a better education and potentially make more money (vet techs don't make very good money), you could look into BSc programs in animal health or zoology, which are offered at many universities.
My best advice to you would be to make an appointment at a local community college with a student advisor. They will be able to tell you more about the programs offered at colleges or universities you're interested in. They will also know what particular prerequisites the specific school requires.
Any program that you enroll in needs to be accredited by the AVMA. If the program is not accredited you will not be allowed to sit for the VTNE. Online classes require almost more discipline and time then many campus programs. Plus all require that you have access to a veterinary facility that can mentor and teach you the hands on part of the AVMA requirements.
I'm familiar with a few good online vet tech programs. They include San Juan College (NM); St Petersburg College (FL); Purdue University (IN); Cedar Valley College (TX) are ones that co-workers have gone to and had good instructors and excellent programs. I would recommend that you enroll in a program that has had full accreditation for at least five years. This way most of the bugs have been worked out of the program.
When you inquire abou the program 9whether online or campus) you need to ask some questions. Ask about their VTNE pass rate. I would look for 90% plus. Ask about the ease of use. Ask about the availability of the instructors in the program and the length of time to receive feedback. Ask what is required as far as doing your practicals. Ask about the average time that it takes the average student to complete the program. Ask about special equipment/ extra fees that are required. Ask how tutoring is handled for people that might be struggling in a subject. Ask about hands on work with all classes of animals.
I found veterinary technology quite easy but I had seven years experience working in a veterinary hospital as an assistant and kennel person. I also have a passion for science, medicine and animals so I read a lot on all these subjects.
As far as rescue transport there are some yahoo groups that do that sort of thing. you might be able to find some answers there.
It doesn't work that way. "I don't really want to go to a technical school" - Tech schools are the only schools that offer vet tech programs. "University of Florida offers a great vet program. However, my high school grades and GED are definitely not enough to get into that school" - Vet school is a graduate program. You need to have a 4-year bachelor's degree before you apply to vet school. "get a steady job as vet tech and be financially steady enough" - Vet tech is not a particularly high-paying job. "Can anyone give advice?" - Do some more research because you really have no idea how any of this works.
DSLR photography doesn't need to be over-complicated. This online photography course has been developed for beginners - intermediate levels and will teach you how to make the best use of your DSLR camera. https://tr.im/pUCJh
Learning how to confidently use your DSLR will help you get full value out of this awesome camera you have already paid for!
This course has been developed after seeing many potential photographers give up far too soon, wasting good money they have spent on the purchase of their DSLR camera.