Veterinary Technology
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Larimer
What is Veterinary Technology?
Veterinary Technicians work with veterinarians in a number of exciting positions. As well educated and trained paraprofessionals, technicians can play a valuable role in providing quality animal care. Most technicians work in clinical settings where they are responsible for nursing care, laboratory work, surgical assisting, dental prophylaxes, record keeping, and client education. There are positions in small and large animal clinics, clinical laboratories, rescue and humane societies, drug and feed companies, biomedical research, and the military. There are many opportunities to specialize as your career advances, working in emergency and critical care, dentistry, ophthalmology, anesthesia, internal medicine, and behavior.
The FRCC Veterinary Technology Program
As a fully accredited AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) Veterinary Technology institution, the program at Front Range Community College includes curriculum designed to develop the knowledge, understanding, and abilities required of veterinary technicians. It requires two academic years of college-level study leading to an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Veterinary Technology. With your degree you will then be eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam leading to certification as a technician.
The program balances basic science, skill development, and practical experience. There is also an emphasis in the application of knowledge and the sharpening of technical skills through laboratory course work and supervised work experience. The program provides training in veterinary health and the handling of a variety of animals from the domestic to the exotic, as well as laboratory animals encountered in a veterinary practice or biomedical research setting.
A student may start in either fall or spring semester. Class size is limited to 24 students per incoming class. Most lab sections have only 12 students providing optimal hands-on experience in animal handling and laboratory techniques.
The VET program is a full time vocational program, with most classes held during daytime hours. During the first three semesters, students attend classes on the FRCC Larimer campus. The program features two clinical experiences. After two semesters, students intern in a private clinical setting to gain beginning veterinary technician experience. The last semester students apply the knowledge and skills they have obtained while on clinical rotations at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
While veterinary technicians serve as important paraprofessional members of the veterinary medical team, veterinary technicians do not diagnose animal illnesses, prescribe treatment or perform surgery. The VET curriculum is not intended to provide admission to a college of veterinary medicine.
Faculty
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