Veterinary Technology
NDSU's veterinary technology program will prepare you for an exciting career in animal health care. You'll learn technical nursing and laboratory skills, along with a broad understanding of animal health, disease, husbandry, clinical pathology, radiography, pharmacology, microbiology, anesthesiology and other disciplines. In addition to classroom learning, our program offers practical experiences including labs, clinical observations and a clinical externship.
Your academic career is planned to allow you to achieve your career goals and adapt to individual employment needs after you graduate. Our graduates can choose to pursue careers in many fields, including animal health care (including private practice), teaching, research, government and zoos. Our program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and is the only program in the United States that offers a minor in large animal veterinary technology. Students interact with companion animals, horses and livestock, as well as program veterinarians, veterinary technologists and animal health scientists. Students also have access to on-campus facilities like a small animal surgery suite, radiography room and darkroom, and a Veterinary Wellness Clinic.
WHAT IS A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN?
Veterinary technicians are important members of the animal health care team. They primarily function as professional technical support to veterinarians, biomedical researchers, and other scientists. Formal veterinary technology academic programs started appearing in the 1960s as a way to meet the technical demands of an expanding veterinary profession and a more mobile population. Today there are over 160 veterinary technology programs in the United States. In order to maintain a standard of excellence these programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The course of study in these programs entails at least two academic years, leading to an Associate of Science or equivalent degree with four-year Bachelor of Science degrees available at some institutions. During high school, would-be veterinary technicians are encouraged to enroll in college preparatory courses in science, math and English.
In today's fast-paced, high-tech world, veterinarians and other scientists must maintain high standards of animal care. The veterinary technician is an important contributor to this effort. The technician possesses the skills to handle many aspects of patient care, as well as to perform many laboratory procedures.
TECHNICAL DUTIES
Routine areas of responsibility qualified veterinary technicians assume include:
- Physical Examination and Patient History
- Client Education
- Caring for the Hospitalized Patient
- Administration of Medication and Vaccines
- Clinical Laboratory Procedures
- Dental Prophylaxis
- Radiography
- Anesthesiology
- Surgical Assisting
- Office/ Hospital Management
Veterinary technicians also find work in a number of areas outside of clinical veterinary practice. A Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Technology opens many more opportunities for the veterinary technician, including positions in teaching, industry, research, government and private business.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Students in the Veterinary Technology program at NDSU interact closely with faculty and staff, the animals, and other students. We strive to give every student the opportunity to practice and gain confidence in their skills and put their knowledge to full use while in the program. This is accomplished in our lab courses and in our Veterinary Wellness Clinic where students are assigned tasks to complete on both in-house animals and with animals from our local animal adoption agencies.
