Veterinary technology is the science and art of providing health care to animals and professional support to veterinarians. The veterinary technician must be knowledgeable in the care and handling of animals, their normal and abnormal life processes, and their medical and psychological needs. Therefore, they must be skilled in nursing procedures, anesthesiology, radiography, clinical laboratory techniques, surgical preparation and assisting, anatomy and physiology, phlebotomy and husbandry.

Veterinary technicians assist veterinarians in every facet of the profession, which includes private practice, institutional and industrial research, the military, humane associations, zoos, government and teaching.
Veterinary technicians help strengthen the human-animal bond by safeguarding and lengthening the lives of millions of pets worldwide.

Their dedication to the health and welfare of animals is vital to the function of both veterinary care facilities and other public and private organizations across the world. They contribute to society by assuring safe and wholesome products are sold in the markets. They are also found in laboratories that create new drugs, devices and medical procedures that contribute to the quality of life of both man and animals.

Success

Veterinary technicians are graduates of programs accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. A national board exam and criminal background check must also be successfully passed in order to become registered in the state of Ohio.

Career

A veterinary technician can be employed in large-animal, small-animal, equine, exotic, emergency, surgery and other specialty types of private practices. They may also work in industrial (product-making) and medical research institutions. "Vet techs" are also employed in zoos, humane associations, the military, food industries and teaching institutions.

There are also opportunities for continuing education and specialty in the field of veterinary technology. At this time there are nine recognized board certifications that experienced veterinary technicians may acquire, which include emergency and critical-care medicine, dentistry, anesthesia, internal medicine, behavior, zoo medicine, equine, surgical and clinical practice.