Career as a Veterinary Technician
I have been working at various jobs since high school trying to find a career that suits me. I have two dogs and a cat and do volunteer work at a local shelter and have decided that the veterinary field is where I should be. I want to do something where I can help animals, like a nurse helps people. What other type of work is there with animals?
When studies have been done on career satisfaction, the veterinary field is one where people are consistently happier than in others. It’s a field where dedication to patients becomes the primary motivation in your career; the hours can be long, and the work not always very glamorous. One critical point to also remember is that it is very important for you to enjoy working with people as well as animals. Remember there is usually a caring person at the other end of that animal! Volunteering at a veterinary hospital is an excellent way to find out if this field is for you. This would be time well spent if you are considering a lifetime career move.
If you are not interested in being a veterinarian, a veterinary technician or veterinary assistant would be other logical choices. Veterinary assistants are “on the job” trained and their duties vary from clinic to clinic. There will always be cage cleaning and dog walking, and handling and restraint. In a larger clinic, an assistant may be trained in other basic procedures like drawing blood, nail trimming, and collecting samples. Pay may start at minimum wage and will vary with the size of the clinic and your experience.
To become a veterinary technician requires earning a college degree in an educational program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Vermont Technical College has such a program and offers an Associate of Science degree; it is the only program in the state of Vermont , but there are programs in other states also. A veterinary technician performs similarly to a registered nurse. In addition, the veterinary technician is educated in medical and surgical nursing of both large and small animals, laboratory testing, anesthesia, and radiography.
Most of us in this field could never imagine doing any more rewarding work than this, helping our animal patients. Best of luck with your big life changes…you couldn’t be on a better track!!
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