Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Troy NH - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Troy New Hampshire

Troy NH vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Troy NH may at first seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the right selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their residences. When they have found some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant factors when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the various duties of vet techs and the training options available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Troy NH

cat with cone after surgery in Troy NH One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the principal factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Troy NH veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and generally obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Troy NH labs or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Troy

student attending online vet tech school in Troy NH An option that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Troy NH veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for instance for traveling and study supplies, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Troy NH Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Troy NH vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Troy NH area and across the USA, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for many Troy NH area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New Hampshire school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Troy NH vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Troy NH veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the Troy NH vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Troy NH colleges you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Troy NH home, you must confirm that the driving time fits into 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, especially if the school is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you find out if the vet schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Troy NH. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Troy NH?

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

Troy, New Hampshire

The town center village, where 1,221 people resided at the 2010 census,[2] is defined as the Troy census-designated place (CDP), and is located along New Hampshire Route 12. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Troy Village Historic District.

Settled in 1762, by 1815 the community had grown so much that it sought its own incorporation.[3] It was set off from Marlborough that year, and included parts of Fitzwilliam, Swanzey and Richmond. A prominent citizen and friend of Governor John Taylor Gilman, Captain Benjamin Mann of Mason, suggested the name Troy. His daughter, Betsy, was married to Samuel Wilson, famous as "Uncle Sam", and at that time a resident of Troy, New York. At least seven members of Wilson's family were living in the town at the time, thus securing the name. The town hall, built in 1813-1814 near the rail-fenced common, was originally the village meetinghouse.[4]

Troy Mills, which started making horse blankets in the mid-19th century, served as the backbone of the town's economy for nearly 100 years. In 1865, the company was sold by founder Thomas Goodall, who in 1867 would establish Goodall Mills in Sanford, Maine. Troy Mills declared bankruptcy in late 2001, and ceased operations in 2002. The giant mill complex on Monadnock Street now houses two smaller spin-offs of Troy Mills—Knowlton Nonwovens and Cosmopolitan Textiles. The Troy trademark is now used for felt made by a company in West Virginia. Wooden-ware, pottery and fine building stone were also once the products of Troy industries. As of 2008, Troy Mills was being renovated to become a retirement community.[5]

Enroll in the Right Veterinary Technician School near Troy NH

Troy NH vet tech holding dog Selecting the right vet tech college is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for animals. Students looking into veterinary technician colleges must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the best program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Troy NH.