For many people who love animals, becoming a veterinary assistant is a career goal that feels both meaningful and achievable. One of the first questions prospective students tend to ask is how long the training actually takes. The short answer is that most certificate programs take between 6 and 18 months, which makes this one of the faster routes into a healthcare-related field.

ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ offers a Veterinary Assistant program built to prepare students for real work in veterinary clinics and animal care facilities. This page walks through how long the program takes, what the schedule looks like, and the factors that can shape a student’s timeline.

Typical Length of a Veterinary Assistant Program

Veterinary assistant certificate programs generally range from 6 to 18 months. The biggest factor is whether a student enrolls full time or part time.

At ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, full-time students typically complete the program in 6 to 8 months. Students who enroll part time, often because they are working or raising a family, usually finish in 8 to 10 months. Either way, graduates earn the same credential and are prepared for the same responsibilities on the job.

Compared to other careers in veterinary medicine, the assistant path is much shorter. Veterinary technicians need 18 months of education and must pass a national licensing exam. Veterinarians complete a doctoral program, which takes 8 years or more beyond high school. Veterinary assistant programs stay focused on the practical, day-to-day skills that clinics need, which is what makes the training timeline so much more accessible.

What Students Learn During Training

Veterinary assistant training is hands-on and clinic-focused from the start. Students learn how to handle animals safely, support veterinarians and technicians during exams, complete basic laboratory tasks, and keep the clinic running smoothly. Communication skills and proper sanitation procedures are also part of the curriculum, since both are essential in a real clinic setting.

Near the end of the program, students complete an externship at a local veterinary clinic. This is where classroom learning meets real-world practice. Students get to work alongside professionals, build confidence in their skills, and start making connections in the field before they even graduate.

Factors That Affect Training Length

Every student’s situation is a little different. A few key factors can influence how quickly someone moves through the program.

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Enrollment

Students who can commit to full-time hours will finish faster. Part-time enrollment works well for students who are juggling work or family responsibilities, and it is a practical option that many students at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ take advantage of.

Prior Experience in Animal Care or Healthcare

Students who have spent time working with animals or in a healthcare setting may find some material easier to pick up. That said, no prior experience is needed. The program at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ is designed to meet students where they are and build skills from the ground up.

Career Goals After Graduation

Some students finish the program and go straight to work. Others decide to keep going and pursue a veterinary technician credential. Knowing what comes next can help students plan their time in the program more intentionally.

How the Program Is Structured at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ

ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ understands that most students have responsibilities outside of school. The Veterinary Assistant program offers daytime and evening class options so students can build their education around their lives, not the other way around.

The program pairs classroom instruction with hands-on practice in training facilities. The externship, which takes place near the end of the program, puts students inside working veterinary clinics. Many graduates leave their externship with both a professional reference and a stronger sense of where they want to take their career.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does veterinary assistant training take?

Most certificate programs take between 6 and 10 months, depending on whether a student enrolls full time or part time.

What is the difference between full-time and part-time veterinary assistant programs?

Full-time students typically finish in 30 weeks, while part-time students who take our evening classes generally finish in 38 weeks. Both options lead to the same certificate.

Do I need a college degree to become a veterinary assistant?

No. A veterinary assistant certificate program is sufficient for most entry-level positions. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically the only prerequisite.

How does veterinary assistant training compare to veterinary technician training in length?

Veterinary assistant programs take 6 to 10 months, while veterinary technician programs take about 18 months. Vet techs also must pass a national licensing exam that is not required for vet assistants.

What does veterinary assistant training include?

Training covers:

• Animal handling
• Assisting with exams and procedures
• Basic lab tasks
• Clinic sanitation
• Client communication

Students also complete an externship at a working veterinary clinic.

Is prior animal care experience required to enroll?

No. Veterinary assistant programs are designed for students at all experience levels. Prior experience may make some topics easier to learn, but it is not a requirement for admission.

Does the program include hands-on training?

Yes. ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ includes an externship component where students train at a real veterinary clinic before they graduate.

Can I work while completing veterinary assistant training?

Yes. The program offers flexible scheduling, including evening options, to make it possible for students to continue working while completing their training.

Can a veterinary assistant go on to become a veterinary technician?

Yes. Many veterinary assistants use their experience as a foundation and continue their education to earn a vet tech credential. The two-year associate degree and national licensing exam are required for that next step.

Curious about the program? Prospective students are encouraged to reach out to ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ to learn more about schedules, costs, and enrollment.

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Becoming a veterinary technician opens doors to one of healthcare’s fastest-growing career paths. Jobs for veterinary technicians will grow more than 20 percent over the next ten years—three times faster than the average for all professions surveyed.

Whether you’re considering your first career or ready for a change, vet techs make a real difference in animal care every single day. This guide covers the essential information you need about job responsibilities, training requirements, and the diverse opportunities waiting in this rewarding field. Let’s explore what makes veterinary technology such an appealing career choice!

#1 Veterinary Technician Jobs Are in High Demand

The veterinary field faces a staffing challenge that creates real opportunity for career seekers. Employment of veterinary technicians will grow from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average for all occupations. This expansion means approximately 14,300 openings for veterinary technologists and technicians each year over the next decade.

The numbers paint a clear picture. More than 120,000 vet tech jobs currently exist across the United States at veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, research facilities, laboratories, and zoos. Yet this workforce falls short of what the industry needs. Experts estimate the United States will require at least 132,885 new vet techs by 2030 to meet demand and keep practices running smoothly. These demands come for a variety of reasons, including:

• The increase number of pet owners
• The average age of pets
• Medical and technical advancements
• The veterinary technician staffing shortage

What This Means for Your Career

The supply-demand imbalance works in your favor. When qualified candidates are scarce, job seekers have leverage—more options, more room to find a role that actually fits, and more geographic flexibility. Rural and underserved areas in particular are creating new opportunities for those willing to go where the need is greatest.

On the earnings side, vet techs earn a median salary of $45,980, with the top 25 percent pulling in over $50,960. For a two-year degree, that’s a strong return.

Experience and specialization push those numbers further. Expertise in surgery, dermatology, or emergency care is in particular demand, and supervisor and advanced roles open up as you build your career.

Strong demand, competitive pay, meaningful work—it’s a combination that’s hard to find. For motivated people ready to get started, the market conditions are genuinely favorable right now.

#2 Becoming a Vet Tech Takes Less Time Than You Think

Training programs for vet techs are shorter than most people expect. You don’t need a four-year degree to get started—an associate degree is the standard credential, and most full-time students complete it in about two years.

That’s a far cry from veterinary medicine itself, which requires eight to twelve years of education. For anyone looking to enter a meaningful medical field without a decade of schooling, vet tech training removes that barrier entirely.

The Two-Year Path

Full-time associate degree programs typically take around two years to complete—and that’s the sweet spot. The curriculum covers everything you need to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam and enter the workforce with the skills to hit the ground running.

Some programs include summer sessions that help motivated students maintain momentum and finish on the earlier end of that timeline. Others offer accelerated formats that compress the associate degree into as little as 18 months for students who can commit to a heavier course load.

California offers a unique alternate route: a Certificate in Veterinary Technology that can be completed in as little as six months—but it requires a minimum of 4,416 hours of hands-on experience under a licensed veterinarian. It’s a fast track built for people already deep in animal care work.

Is Two Years Really That Fast?

Compared to most healthcare careers, yes. Two years of focused, hands-on training is enough to step into a skilled clinical role—one with real responsibility, real variety, and real growth potential. For career changers or recent grads who want to get moving, that timeline is a genuine advantage.

#3 Vet Tech Jobs Are Far From Boring

Boredom? That’s not a word you’ll hear from veterinary technicians! The role blends elements from multiple healthcare professions. Vet techs function like nurses in human medicine, yet their responsibilities extend far beyond traditional nursing duties. They serve as:

• Anesthesiologists during surgical procedures
• Radiologists capturing diagnostic images
• Laboratory technicians analyzing samples
• Dental hygienists performing cleanings

This breadth of expertise keeps the work engaging for those who crave variety.

Diverse Patient Population

Human nurses specialize in treating one species. Vet techs master the care requirements for dozens of different animals.

Work environments vary as dramatically as the patients. Vet techs find employment in neighborhood clinics, emergency hospitals, specialty referral centers, animal shelters, humane societies, government agencies, teaching institutions, and military service. Each setting presents distinct daily rhythms and challenges. Emergency clinics operate at intense paces with critical cases arriving unexpectedly. Specialty clinics focusing on dermatology, ophthalmology, cardiology, or oncology allow deeper expertise in specific medical areas.

Wide Range of Responsibilities

Vet techs arrive before the doors open—coaxing animals to eat, administering medications, and caring for overnight patients before the day officially begins.

From there, the role spans nearly every corner of clinic life. They’re often the first clinical face a worried pet owner sees, explaining procedures, fielding questions, and translating medical jargon into plain language. Diagnostics fill much of the day: drawing blood, running urinalyses, capturing radiographs, and analyzing samples under the microscope.

When surgery is on the schedule, vet techs help develop anesthetic plans, monitor vitals throughout procedures, assist in the surgical suite, and oversee recovery until patients are fully stable. Dental procedures—scaling, polishing, and dental radiographs—fall under their scope too.

When emergencies walk through the door, everything else stops. Vet techs jump in alongside the veterinarian to perform CPR and deliver critical care, often under serious pressure.

Beyond patient care, they maintain records, manage inventory, handle equipment upkeep, and some even support clinic marketing efforts.

The through-line? No two days look alike—and for vet techs, that’s exactly the point.

#4 Vet Techs Have Lots of Career Options

Career flexibility is one of veterinary technology’s biggest draws. Rather than getting locked into one path, vet techs can move between specialties, settings, and roles throughout their careers—growing, pivoting, and finding exactly where they belong.

Diverse Career Paths

Most graduates start in general practice—small animal clinics, large animal facilities, or mixed practices that see everything from dogs to exotic species. It’s where foundational skills get built.

From there, the options open up fast:

• Specialty & emergency clinics focus on areas like dermatology, cardiology, oncology, or critical care. These settings are high-intensity and typically offer higher pay to match.
• Animal welfare organizations like humane societies and shelters offer mission-driven work in spay/neuter clinics and emergency intake—often a pay cut, but deeply rewarding for the right person.
• Research facilities & universities bring vet techs into biomedical research, food safety, and disaster preparedness projects, often with strong benefits and room for continued education.
• Government & public health roles exist at local, state, and tribal levels, covering wildlife conservation, zoonotic disease control, and biological research.
• Zoos, aquariums & wildlife rehab centers offer the chance to work with species most clinicians never encounter.
• Teaching is an option for experienced techs ready to pass their knowledge to the next generation.
• Relief work & consulting—including pet poison hotlines—offer flexible schedules and, in some cases, remote work.
• Industry roles at tech companies, pharmaceutical firms, pet food companies, and insurance providers let vet techs apply their expertise outside the clinic, often at higher pay.

Specialization is its own career accelerator. NAVTA recognizes 16 Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) disciplines—from dentistry and anesthesia to zoological medicine and physical rehabilitation. Earning a VTS takes years of experience, case documentation, continuing education, and a certification exam, but it meaningfully increases both earning potential and job security.

For those who want to step back from direct patient care, management tracks are another avenue—senior tech and assistant manager roles, or pursuing a Certificate in Veterinary Practice Management (CVPM).

The bottom line: whether you want to specialize deep, pivot often, or eventually move into business or research, veterinary technology has a path for it.

#5 Vet Techs Help Animals Heal

At the heart of every vet tech career is one simple truth: you’re helping animals recover and live their best lives.

Making a Meaningful Impact

Recovery doesn’t happen by chance—it takes skilled, dedicated people who care. Vet techs administer medications, draw blood, manage anesthesia, assist in surgeries, and monitor hospitalized patients throughout the day. Every task builds toward the same goal: restoring health.

Post-op care gets particular attention. Vet techs track vitals, keep patients comfortable, and conduct follow-up diagnostics until animals are stable and ready to go home. They also educate pet owners on follow-up care and serve as the point of contact after appointments—helping families understand diagnoses, next steps, and how their participation at home directly affects outcomes.

In shelter settings, vet techs advocate for some of the most vulnerable animals around—handling daily medical care, surgery support, and medical record keeping. Many even open their homes to provide around-the-clock care when it’s needed most.

The Emotional Rewards

Watching a sick animal lift its head for the first time in days, or finally start eating again—those moments are hard to replicate in any other career. Vet techs are there for the turning points: easing pain, saving lives, and supporting families who’ve placed enormous trust in their hands.

The work is challenging, but the wins are tangible. Every patient calmed, every recovery celebrated, every family supported adds up to a career built on real purpose. If you’re drawn to work that makes a difference, veterinary technology delivers that every single day.

Your Next Chapter Starts Here

Veterinary technology offers a rare combination: quick entry, strong job market demand, and work that genuinely matters. You can be qualified and working in as little as two years—stepping into a career with real variety, real responsibility, and real impact.

Every day looks different. Every patient you help, every family you support, every recovery you’re part of adds up to something meaningful.

If you’re ready to make a change, the path is clear and the timing is right—explore the MCC Vet Tech program and take that first step toward your future in animal care.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a vet tech and a vet assistant?

Vet techs hold an associate degree and are licensed or credentialed to perform clinical tasks like administering anesthesia, taking radiographs, and running diagnostic tests. Vet assistants typically have on-the-job training and support vet techs and veterinarians in a more limited capacity.

Do vet techs need to be licensed?

In most states, yes. Credentialing requirements vary by state—some use the title Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), others use Registered (RVT) or Certified (CVT)—but virtually all require passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and meeting state-specific requirements.

Is being a vet tech emotionally hard?

It can be. Vet techs work with sick and injured animals, and compassion fatigue is a real challenge in the field. That said, most professionals find the emotional rewards—seeing animals recover, supporting grateful families—far outweigh the difficult days.

What skills do you need to be a good vet tech?

Technical ability matters, but so does communication. The best vet techs are calm under pressure, detail-oriented, and able to explain complex medical information to worried pet owners in plain language.

Can vet techs work with exotic or wild animals?

Absolutely. Zoos, aquariums, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and specialty exotic practices all employ vet techs. Some roles require additional experience or training, but there’s no separate degree required to pursue that path.

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What You’ll Gain From Hands-On Veterinary Practice

Veterinary assistant training programs teach you the fundamentals—medical terminology, animal anatomy, and clinical procedures—but the skills that truly shape your career success come from working directly with animals and their owners. With veterinary assistant positions expected to grow 19 percent through 2033, formal education remains your foundation, but it’s the hands-on experience that prepares you for what you’ll actually face on the job.

The veterinary field’s growth creates incredible opportunities for dedicated professionals. When you combine structured education with hands-on practice, you’re not just learning procedures—you’re developing the instincts and people skills that make exceptional veterinary assistants. You’ll face situations that challenge everything you thought you knew, and that’s exactly where the most important learning happens.

Here’s What Makes Real-World Practice So Valuable:

• Animal handling becomes instinct through experience – You’ll learn to read fear signals, adjust your approach instantly, and keep both yourself and the animal safe in ways online classes can’t teach.
• Emergency skills develop when seconds count – Recognizing which animals need immediate attention versus those who can wait requires judgment that only comes from seeing it firsthand.
• Client conversations require heart and skill – Comforting a grieving pet owner involves empathy, body language, and timing that you can only master through real interactions.
• The best training combines both approaches – Programs that pair classroom learning with extensive externships give you the practical experience to use it effectively in your new career.

What Veterinary Assistant Programs Cover

Accredited programs follow a standardized curriculum approved by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), building foundational knowledge across multiple areas of practice. Students start with medical terminology, mastering the prefixes, suffixes, and abbreviations they’ll use every day in clinical settings. The coursework moves through animal anatomy and physiology, covering directional terms and organ systems for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and other pets. Most programs take 12-16 months, and cover a large range of topics.

Programs also address animal nutrition, weight management, and body condition scoring, plus vaccination schedules and disease prevention strategies. Radiology training covers radiation safety, patient positioning, and ultrasound imaging assistance.

Our goal at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ extends beyond technical skills. Veterinary assistant training programs include professional development covering:

• Office procedures
• Computer basics
• Animal anatomy and physiology
• Client communication
• Animal life stages and care
• And many other important topics

Students complete supervised externships to gain real clinical experience before certification. This foundation prepares graduates for the challenges ahead, but the most valuable lessons often come from what happens next—working directly with animals and their families.

Skills That Only Come From Working With Real Patients

Classroom instruction gives students a solid foundation, but the moment you step into a veterinary clinic, you discover that animals don’t follow textbook examples. Our students learn this quickly during their externships—every patient brings unique challenges that demand quick thinking and adaptability.

Handling Animals

Take animal handling, for example. You can memorize restraint techniques perfectly, but that nervous dog who freezes when approached or the agitated cat who needs completely different handling requires skills that develop only through practice. Our graduates tell us they learned to read subtle behavioral cues—the slight shift in posture that signals stress, the eye contact that warns of potential aggression—and adjust their approach as needed.

Navigating Emergencies

Emergency situations really test what you know versus what you can do. When critical patients arrive, veterinary assistants must assess airway, breathing, and circulation rapidly. Triage becomes a skill that separates online training from clinical judgment—distinguishing between stable animals and those requiring immediate intervention demands experience that simulations simply can’t replicate. Our students discover that recognizing when critical cats tend to be bradycardic and hypothermic comes from seeing it firsthand, not just reading about it.

The Physical Demand

The physical demands surprise many new assistants too. Standing for extended periods, lifting heavy equipment, and restraining large animals during procedures builds stamina that no classroom can prepare you for. Manual dexterity becomes essential when handling frightened patients or assisting during emergencies where every second matters.

Attention to Detail

Perhaps most importantly, monitoring hospitalized patients teaches observation skills that online learning can’t convey. Noticing slight behavioral changes or early symptoms requires the kind of focused attention that develops through practice. That’s why we emphasize externships in our programs—but truly mastering these skills takes sustained clinical exposure that goes well beyond initial training requirements.

The good news? Every one of our students who embraces these challenges discovers they’re more capable than they imagined!

The People Skills You Develop

Veterinary assistant training programs teach communication basics, but learning happens when you’re face-to-face with worried pet owners. Most clients can’t judge whether you drew blood perfectly, but they’ll remember exactly how you made them feel during their pet’s scary moment. Grief-stricken families facing difficult decisions need genuine empathy that can’t be practiced with flashcards.

Clear communication during check-in and discharge makes the biggest difference in how clients remember their experience. Our externship students discover this quickly when they see the same clients return specifically asking for the staff member who took time to explain things clearly.

You’ll encounter situations no online courses can prepare you for. Clients overwhelmed by emotion sometimes lash out, and you’ll need to stay calm while setting boundaries. We teach our students that active listening helps them talk to patient’s families in a confident and reassuring tone.

Conclusion

Veterinary assistant training programs provide the foundation every aspiring professional needs, but practice teaches the nuanced skills that define career success. Handling unpredictable animals, responding to emergencies, and navigating emotionally charged client conversations require experience that online classes cannot replicate. Consequently, the most effective preparation combines structured coursework with extensive hands-on practice. Students who embrace both components develop the technical knowledge and practical judgment necessary to thrive in this rapidly growing field.

FAQs

Is there Online Vet Assistant Training?

Yes, there are online veterinary assistant training programs. However, they do not provide hands-on training experience for students to spend time with animals and learn the important skills that come from in-person training.

What skills are best learned through hands-on training?

Practical skills that require hands-on practice are:

• Animal restraint
• Clinical procedures
• Lab work
• Direct patient care

Will online training prepare me to handle real veterinary emergencies?

Online courses provide knowledge about emergency protocols, but actual emergency response skills are best learned through in-person clinical practice.

Can I get certified through online veterinary assistant programs?

Many online programs offer certification upon course completion, but they do not provide hands-on training experience with real animals to understand their behaviors.

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If you are a veterinary assistant aspiring to become a veterinary technician, we’ve come up with a few pointers to help you determine if it’s the right time to make your career jump!

The Difference between a Vet Assistant and a Vet Tech

Before you even consider a change in your career, you should familiarize yourself with the ways in which a veterinary technician’s responsibilities differ from those of a veterinary assistant. While both professions involve working alongside veterinarians to provide animals medical care, there is much that sets the two apart. It is important to keep in mind, though, that laws, definitions, and duties can vary state by state.

By definition, veterinary technicians hold more technical roles. Their work consists of intricate tasks such as dental work, giving anesthesia, taking x-rays, assisting in surgery, performing lab tests, and administering medications, vaccines, and treatments as prescribed by the veterinarian. Meanwhile, a veterinary assistant might be responsible for feeding, bathing, and exercising animals, maintaining the cleanliness of the veterinary office, stocking exam rooms with necessary medical supplies, scheduling appointments, maintaining records, and occasionally performing lab work.

The biggest difference between the two professions, however, is the level of education needed to become one. As a veterinary assistant, you may have earned a certification from completing a veterinary assistant program, or even began your career without any formal education. Veterinary technicians, on the other hand, typically need at least an associate’s degree to enter the field.

Benefits of Becoming a Veterinary Technician

You will have to go back to school to become a veterinary technician, but there are numerous reasons why the time and effort is worth it. When you decide to make the jump from vet assistant to vet tech, you are setting yourself up to:

• Grow your education. If you’re passionate about animals and veterinary medicine, you can expand your knowledge of the two by going back to school. Plus, earning a degree or certification is a rewarding accomplishment that can open doors to new career opportunities.
• Widen your skill set. The more advanced your skills are, the more responsibilities you will be able to take on. Your new abilities can help you contribute further to the veterinary field and well-being of animals.
• Change up your day-to-day. A typical day on the job as a vet tech will look different than a vet assistant’s day-to-day. You might face more challenges or complex tasks that make your job more interesting!
• Earn more. As of 2021, the average salary of a veterinary assistant is , while that of a veterinary technician is , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Is It Time to Take the Next Step in Your Veterinary Career?

Given the unique job functions and benefits of being a vet tech, is a career jump right for you? It might be time to make the transition from veterinary assistant to veterinary technician if you:

• Have a passion for veterinary medicine and enjoy working in the industry
• Are growing bored with your job or find it less engaging than before
• Long for something new or different
• Desire more advanced job duties
• Seek work that challenges you to a greater extent
• Want to learn more about the veterinary field
• Aspire to earn a degree or other credentials

While going back to school can be a daunting task, that shouldn’t stop you from chasing after your dreams! ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ’s Veterinary Technician Program is designed to help current veterinary assistants take the next steps in their career. Accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), we offer hands-on training that prepares students to earn their associate’s degree as a veterinary technician. Our small class sizes ensure that each individual gets the personalized instruction they need to launch a successful career.

Ready to make the jump from veterinary assistant to veterinary technician? Fill out the form on this page or contact us to get started today!

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According to the , 70% of households in the U.S. own a pet, or about 90.5 million families. Just like us, these furry friends need the proper care to ensure a long and healthy life. Sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), February is regarded as Pet Dental Health Month, which is a reminder for pet owners to evaluate their furry friend’s dental hygiene.

Unlike us, pets cannot clean their teeth with daily brushing and flossing. However, pet owners can take action as there are many ways and preventable measures to ensure their four-legged friends’ mouths can be in tip-top shape. Keep reading to learn more about these techniques and how ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ is doing our part today and every day!

Why is a Pet’s Dental Health Important

As stated before, pets can’t take care of their teeth alone. If not checked and/or cleaned regularly, poor dental health can lead to other long-term side effects or illnesses. The American Veterinary Dental Society () states that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will manifest some form of dental disease after they reach three years of age. Some illnesses and diseases include periodontal, gingivitis, and malocclusion. These effects can worsen a pet’s quality of life and sadly lead to deathly consequences.

Signs of Poor Pet Dental Health

There are multiple signs and signals that pets exhibit poor dental health. If your pet is exhibiting , it is best to schedule a visit with your veterinarian:

• Bad breath
• Teeth that appear discolored or covered in tartar
• Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
• Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth
• Reduced appetite or refusal to eat

How Can I Protect Pet’s Dental Health?

Luckily, there are many ways that pet owners can protect their pet’s dental health. First, veterinarians recommend brushing their teeth at least once a month. Designated toothbrushes and toothpaste are available at most pet retail stores. If you are brushing their teeth for the first time at home, it’s best to introduce these new sensations in small increments with small training treats. Teeth brushings are also offered with many grooming and bath routines.

If your pet is skittish to new scenarios, some treats and toys offer the same effects as teeth brushing sessions. Some examples include Greenies, Bright Bites, and Vetradent Dog Chews. Just like any other food product, it’s best to speak with your veterinarian for their professional opinion and advice on what products and what quantities are best for your pet.

Lastly, asking your veterinarian to check on your pet’s teeth during their annual check-up will eliminate a second trip and incurred expenses.

Veterinary Dental Practices at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ

Dental health is one of the many topics covered in our Veterinary Assistant and Veterinary Technician training programs. Students will put their teachings to the test during their externships at local veterinary practices. We also offer Tuition Assistance to those who qualify and Job Placement for all students upon graduation.

Interested in learning more or beginning your new career? Fill out the form on this page, or contact usÌý³Ù´Ç»å²¹²â!

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The Veterinary industry saw a surge in the last year of patients. The surge was due to the many people and families that adopted a pet during quarantine in 2020. The increase of pet owners all around the country indirectly led to a labor shortage of Veterinary Technicians and Assistants.

Why is there a shortage?

The rise in people being let go from their jobs during the pandemic and the increasing numbers of burnt-out workers has left the veterinary industry in a worker shortage. Many previous workers have felt burnt out and left the industry due to the lack of increased pay and increased demand for workers.

The other factor causing a shortage in veterinary technicians is the dramatic rise in pet owners due to the pandemic. This has rapidly increased the amount of work done by technicians. There are now so many pet owners that veterinary clinics many times don’t have the proper amount of people staffed to handle the demand.

How the Veterinary Industry is Changing

The main change that is being implemented is the issue of pay for veterinary technicians. has found that every certified technician brings an increase of revenue of approximately $90,000 to $100,000. This shows that veterinary technicians can be paid higher than their current rates. The other issues being addressed are the improper use of veterinary technicians and the training they must go through. There has been a much more significant shift in how schools like ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ teach their students and prepare them for a career after training.

Veterinary Technician Training at MCC

ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ has a veterinary technician program designed to prepare students to be career-ready when they graduate. In less than 2 years, students can be in a new career. MCC trains students to be able to work in multiple settings, including clinics, specialty practices, and emergency practices. Students will be trained to help both small and large animals, making them a versatile asset to veterinary clinics and practices when graduating.

Get started on the path towards your career in the veterinary industry by contacting us today!

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