Veterinary assistant

What kind of training is required to become a veterinay assistant? This is a career that I have a bit of interest in and I love animals, and most of them seem to love me. Do training requirements vary from state to state or is it a standard thing? Thank you much for any input on this.

 

Nightowlpunk,

These days, not like when I was actuall working as a vet tech, there are courses you have to take to get your license. I believe it is similar to an associates degree. I do know it does vary from state to state as to what and how much training and time are required. My best suggestion is contact your nearest community college career advisor and ask what is available close to your location.

 

I will be applying for a Sallie Mae loan toward the end of the week. I found a course at Animal Behavior College. It is distance learning for the book learning with phone help. Then they will line up an 80 hour externship in a clinic for hands on experience towards my certification. If you pay in advance through a loan or cash or plastic the course is $2250 or so. If you do payments it is $3045. Kind of nervous about this since it will be the first schooling I have had in 17 years.

 

Nightowlpunk,

Relax, it's like riding a bike or horse! I know, I went back to college after 12 years of being out of school...it all comes back very nicely.

Try to look at the bright side! You will be learning to do something you will most likely love, and you have already said you love animals. Congrats and do keep us posted on how things go.

 

Hey NOP are you sure thats for Vet tech training? I was curious, so I searched the name and all I see they offer is how to become a certified TRAINER..not a Vet tech.

Just wondering....

 

They do both. As far as I know, you do not need scrubs for animal training. I emailed back the Sallie Mae forms today. Be interesting to see how that goes. The rep mentioned that a lot of the students do both programs at the same time, however he also told me that most of the prospective students are unemployed. Doing the schooling and work might be interesting He did mention that trainers can make $80-$120 per hour, but since I am not always a people person, getting clients may be awkward. Thank you for the moral support.

 

The loan got approved!!! I will be getting the enrollment agreement this weekend, signing it then faxing it back to the school. Funny that my credit score is 100 points higher than I thought so I guess I didn't need a co-signer after all.

 

Just my opinion but I'd check out community college courses first. Many schools like this exist mainly to get money from grant and loan programs. Education isn't their real goal. It's just to make money and leave the student holding the loan bag. Often the courses offered are not transferable as college credits.

 

Did some online checking today. According to the US Department of Education website, this school is NOT accredited with them or in their state of CA. Back to the drawing board. I will check with community colleges in my state. I'll let y'all know what I am doing later. Don't have too much fun!!

 

NOP,

I did some checking also, and was about to post a warning to check out the school VERY closely BEFORE signing anything.

I do still suggest checking with your local Community College, and don't forget to call your local veteranarians to ask if they know of a reliable place to get training as well.

Good luck in your search.

 

According to the US Dept. of education website U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, the only veterinary school program authorized by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Council on Education is a state school which doesn't bother me at all, but the problem is that it is a good 2 hours from home. I will check the smaller comunity colleges nearer me to see if either of them actually has a veterinary program. I will keep y'all posted. BTW, got a true funny for y'all. I got my transcript from my high school today and figured since I was in the old home town I would get another copy of my birth certificate to replace the one that went through the laundry process a few years back. They didn't have it at the town clerk's office which is kind of funny since that is where I got the previous one. I kind of wondered for a second if I lost my citizenship even with a Social Insecurity card and a driver's license.

 

Well NOP I am glad you are not giving up. One thing you can do is get all the pre-requisites done, and then go to the school way far away. Just a thought.

*Chuckles* Well I have a worse problem getting my Birth Cert...I am from England. And there, you have to go through the Registrar's Office. And the cost is about $100.00 US. Hope you can get your new copy.

 

I got a call from Penn Foster career school today. They have a tech learning program for $798 with a 0% interest payment plan. I am waiting for the material to come through the mail before I say a definite yes, since I have regretted past quick decisions. They are accredited though. On the birth certificate issue, it wasn't critical, just a since I was in the old hometown. I called my state and can get a copy for $15, but gotta drive about an hour to the capital to get it.

 

Off subject..but when I needed a birth cert for myself, wife and stepson (all born in CA many years apart) all I had to do was send a request (online..payment also) with county/city, date of birth, and name. Payed a $20 something fee each...1 week later there they were.

Kinda scary in a way isn't it?

 

In CT ya gotta show ID to get your birth certificate.

 

Signed up with Penn Foster today for a cost of $738 with an automatic payment plan. It is a 23 step program. EGAD, it is almost 2 twelve step programs LMAO.

 

NOP, glad you got signed up and it will be a good thing in the end, double 12 Steps or not!

Keep us posted on your progress! Good Luck!

 

Thank you much!! The books come in a couple weeks. Hope everyone has a happy 4th of July. Grilling a couple inch thick steaks with fried mushrooms and onions. Beverage will be first alcohol in a month or so. Bought a six pack of Woodchuck cider to go with it.

 

Got the first books yesterday. Took the first test which was on study methods. Got an 87% on it.

 

NOP,

Congrats! Keep at it, and I am glad to hear it appears to be a legitimate school this time.

 

Thank you much!! I did check for accreditation this time on the U.S. department of Education website at ed.gov/accreditation. Amazing finding something from the gov't as helpful.