易胜博官网

The expects veterinary technician jobs to increase between 2014 and 2024, making the career among the fastest growing occupations in the country.

But it鈥檚 passion not statistics that drives four students from the veterinary technology program at 易胜博官网鈥檚 Thompson School of Applied Science, who got together recently to talk about their experience.

Just ask Brittany Guay 鈥�18, who, even after earning two associate鈥檚 degrees, was still looking to light a fire in her belly. It was some soul searching and a question 鈥� what would she be willing to do for free? 鈥� that led her to the Thompson School鈥檚 vet tech program and a feeling, finally, that she鈥檇 found her calling.

鈥淚 love taking care of animals,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd I love the vet tech field because you get a lot of one-on-one with the animal. When it comes down to it, I want to be the person who looks animals in their eyes and says 鈥業鈥檓 going to make you feel better.鈥欌��

For Amber Ganley 鈥�18, no soul searching was needed. Ganley, who grew up in Florida near a rehabilitation center for loggerhead sea turtles, knew she wanted a career in veterinary medicine even when she was a child.

鈥淚t was a small little shack with a couple tanks of little turtles in it 鈥� they鈥檇 come in from the ocean after being hit by a boat or something,鈥� she says of the center that inspired her. 鈥淚 thought that would be the coolest job ever, to be helping rehabilitate the turtles and then sending them back out.鈥�

鈥淭o be able to do hands-on work here is so important in preparing you for the workplace.鈥�

Ganley plans to enroll in a four-year pre-vet program following graduation.

鈥淚 want to become a vet tech to understand the whole gamut of animal care,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hen you become a veterinarian, you need to be able to appreciate the people working for you and the work they do.鈥�

Elizabeth Miller 鈥�18, who started working in a veterinary clinic when she was still enrolled in an agricultural high school, agrees. She, too, plans to become a veterinarian, and sees her veterinary technician degree as a strong foundation for her future studies.

A hands-on learner with a serious interest in emergency medicine, Ashley Williams 鈥�18, came to the vet tech program from a different path altogether.

鈥淚 started as a four-year animal science major, but after a year I switched to the Thompson School鈥檚 two- year program,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 found the vet tech program was definitely more compatible with my learning style.鈥�

Active, experiential learning is a defining characteristic of the program, whether in the state-of-the art teaching laboratories, the , the student-run wellness clinics in Dover and Somersworth, 易胜博官网, or with horses at or its .

鈥淓specially in this field, if you鈥檙e not trying it and practicing it, you鈥檙e not going to know what to do,鈥� says Miller. 鈥淭o be able to do hands-on work here is so important in preparing you for the workplace.鈥�

This fall, the -accredited program will add yet another active-learning asset that will serve both students and the surrounding community: an on-campus veterinary clinic.

The new clinic will offer wellness care and diagnostic services to low-income pet owners, with plans to add surgical and dental services. Donated flea and tick products and heartworm medication will also be available at no cost.

鈥淭he new clinic is fully equipped and state-of-the art,鈥� says Dr. Sarah Proctor, director of the veterinary technology program and clinical assistant professor. 鈥淚t will give students a real clinical experience while still under the guidance of our faculty. We鈥檝e been providing wellness care to low-income pets through our PAWS clinic. Now we鈥檒l be able to treat sick pets, too.鈥�

While Ganley, Guay, Miller and Williams are excited about heading into their second year and looking forward to the clinic鈥檚 opening, they鈥檒l be the first to say that the work isn鈥檛 for everyone. So what advice do they have for someone considering a career as a veterinary technician? First, get experience working at an animal hospital to develop an understanding of the mental, emotional and physical demands of the job. Second, prepare to buckle down and work.

鈥淭his program is very intensive,鈥� says Guay. 鈥淏ut it pays off.鈥�

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