Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Dodge WI - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Dodge Wisconsin

Dodge WI vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Dodge WI might initially feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle reviewing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the best choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their residences. Once they have located some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the various duties of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Dodge WI

cat with cone after surgery in Dodge WI One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Dodge WI veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and normally obtain a 2 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 fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and basically perform the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. 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, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Dodge

student attending online vet tech school in Dodge WI An alternative that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Dodge WI veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for commuting and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Dodge WI Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Dodge WI vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Dodge WI area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Dodge WI area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Dodge WI veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Dodge WI veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate could suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Dodge WI veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Dodge WI schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Dodge WI 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 school is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Dodge WI. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Dodge WI?

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

Dodge County, Wisconsin

Dodge County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2010 census, the population was 88,759.[1] Its county seat is Juneau.[2] The county was created from the Wisconsin Territory in 1836 and organized in 1844.[3]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 85,897 people, 31,417 households, and 22,313 families residing in the county. The population density was 97 people per square mile (38/km²). There were 33,672 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.28% White, 2.49% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.87% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 2.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. According to Census 2000, 56.2% were of German, 8.7% Irish and 5.0% English 4.2% Norwegian and 3.9% selected "United States or American" ancestry. 95.4% spoke English, 2.2% Spanish and 2.0% other Indo-European languages as their language spoken at home.[11]

There were 31,417 households out of which 33.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.60% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.05.[11]

Pick the Ideal Vet Tech Program near Dodge WI

Dodge WI vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal veterinary technician college is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering veterinary technician schools need to make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Dodge WI.