Veterinary Technician?

[ChelsieH]

Hi ny name is Chelsie, I usually post in the rabbit forums. I am going to be a junior at the University of Connecticut this fall, and my major is Physiology/Neurobiology. I have always loved animals, and lately I have been considering working with them professionally (i.e vet/vet tech) However, I don't know anything about these programs so my question is, what kind of schooling is required for vet tech? I realize veterinary school is equivalent to graduate school (or medical school), and that it's really competitive. Does anyone have some information on how to become a vet tech? If you do, i would appreciate it. Thanks!

[AllAnimalLover]

Hey, i just graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College from their Animal Health Tech program and just passed my registration exam!!! yay! i would start by volunteering at a hospital to find out which one you would rather be. If you want to be a vet tech, find out which school is better for you (preferably one that is accredated). Find out what they need in school. Basically what I needed was grade 12 Biology, math, chem...all your essentials to graduate really.
You may have to go in and pass a preliminary exam first before you are accepted to the school. I did. They are hard to get into but if your persistant it should be no problem, and if you have volunteer work, it helps.

Any other questions

[ChelsieH]

So, are you saying you don't need a bachelors degree? I graduated from highschool 4 years ago.. I'm about 2/3 done with my bachelors of science. At first I thought I wanted to do research in the field, but I've changed my mind about that. Was the school you went to specifically for veterinary technicians? am I already on the wrong track? I don't know anything about the program:)

[TWills32]

You don't need a bachelors degree, but if you get one, you do get paid more. I too am going to go to school to become a vet tech. You do have to go through a program that is specifically for graduating as a vet tech. I suggest visiting this website http://www.navta.net/ It will give you the information you need for becoming a vet tech in your state, and it will give you information about the job.

[ChelsieH]

cool thanks for the info ;)

[AllAnimalLover]

having a bachelors degree lets you get paid more??? where is that information??? Maybe in the states, in Canada it is pretty basic for each province. I am getting paid 11.50 an hour (Canadian dollars) and that is very good for a just graduated AHT in the maritimes, it's usually around 10 starting out.

Go on google and type in Veterinarian Technician, or Animal health Technician. Make sure you don't get into a school for Vet assistant...they are NOT the same thing