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Iowa Vet Tech School
By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January 18th, 2010
Schooling for Veterinary Technicians in Iowa
In the state of Iowa, the demand for veterinary technicians is high and likely to remain that way. Pets today get a lot of preventive care, such as dental treatment and vaccinations, which means they have longer lives and have more lifetime medical needs. Because of this, the state has seen growth in the need for veterinarians and animal hospitals, which in turn leads to an increased demand for veterinary technicians. Many long-time veterinary technicians are reaching retirement age and leaving the profession, creating a strong need for new workers. Most veterinary technicians are employed in veterinarians' offices, generally working with small animals such as cats and dogs. Some work with larger animals such as horses and farm animals. Veterinary technicians also work for humane societies, biological research laboratories, animal control agencies, and zoos.
In the state of Iowa, accredited veterinary technician programs teach basic and advanced animal care skills, such as dispensing and administering drugs, getting animals and the operating room ready for surgery, assisting in dental procedures, and collecting and preparing lab specimens. Vet techs also learn to instruct animal owners in caring for their animals--teaching an owner how to give the animal medication, for example.
Two-year veterinary technician programs accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (www.avma.org) are offered by online schools and community colleges in Iowa. The programs lead to an associate of applied science (AAS) degree. Vet tech programs are challenging. They generally require four semesters of full-time attendance. They also include a mandatory internship, which usually is completed in the summer after the first year. The internship provides useful practical experience and mentorship.
Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Veterinary Techs in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport, Iowa can prepare themselves for careers at some of the best animal hospitals and facilities in the country.