Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Canterbury NH

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician Program near Canterbury New Hampshire

Canterbury NH vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Canterbury NH may initially seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the right selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their residences. Once they have found some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Canterbury NH

cat with cone after surgery in Canterbury NH Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Canterbury NH veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and normally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Canterbury NH labs or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Canterbury

student attending online vet tech school in Canterbury NH An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Canterbury NH veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for instance for commuting and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Canterbury NH Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Canterbury NH vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Canterbury NH area as well as across the United States, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Canterbury NH area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the New Hampshire school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Canterbury NH vet clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with Canterbury NH veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Canterbury NH vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Canterbury NH programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Canterbury NH home, you have to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the vet schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Canterbury NH. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Canterbury NH?

If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the Canterbury New Hampshire area, then you may find the following information about the location of your school campus interesting and informing.

Canterbury, New Hampshire

First granted by Lieutenant Governor John Wentworth in 1727, the town was named for William Wake, Archbishop of Canterbury.[2] It was originally a militia timber fort and trading post of Capt. Jeremiah Clough located on a hill near Canterbury Center, where the Pennacook Indians came to trade. The town would be incorporated in 1741.[3] There were several garrison houses or stockades in the area as late as 1758.[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 44.4 square miles (115.0 km2), of which 43.6 square miles (112.9 km2) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) is water, comprising 1.82% of the town.[5] The town's highest point is an unnamed summit near Forest Pond and the town's northern border, where the elevation reaches approximately 1,390 feet (420 m) above sea level. Bounded by the Merrimack River on the west, Canterbury is drained on the east by the Soucook River. Canterbury lies fully within the Merrimack River watershed.[6]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 1,979 people, 749 households, and 590 families residing in the town. The population density was 45.1 people per square mile (17.4/km²). There were 838 housing units at an average density of 19.1 per square mile (7.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.59% White, 0.25% African American, 0.25% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.51% of the population.

Select the Best Vet Tech College near Canterbury NH

Canterbury NH vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Canterbury NH.