Any vet techs here?

Well, it's been a dream of mine to go to school to become a vet, or a vet tech, for a very long time (since I was 6) and I've kinda taken a back seat to my own dream because of, well, a LOT of things, lol. I finally got on the ball with everything, got all my info from schools and are starting to get my ducks in a row. In Jan/Feb we'll be PCSing (moving) to Colorado Springs, CO and, while I was already on the pre-acceptance list for Purdue University's VTDLP (vet tech distance learning program) I really wanted to go to an actual class. Well I found a school in CO Springs (about 10-20 mins from where we'll be living) and I got all their info and I'll either be starting in March of 2011 or in Sept 2011 after my kids go back to school (which is more likely). The program is 16 months long (no breaks like for summer or anything) and the classes are from 8-12 Mon-Thur. I'm SO excited but I do love knowing what I'm getting into. I was wondering if you could give me some info about school, what to expect, and basically anything at all. Thanks

Before you start the program, I'd see if any vets would let you shadow in their office. I work at a vet's office as an assistant (basically a vet tech without the schooling) and it's really hectic, stressful, and draining sometimes. If you don't have experience dealing with death, blood, or hard decisions, I'd definitely put in some hours at a hospital to be sure this is really what you want to do before you spend the time/money with all the schooling.

Don't get me wrong, the job can be very rewarding and some days I love it, but after a few months working at my office, I've pretty much realized this isn't where I want to spend the rest of my life.

Also, you may want to see how many jobs for techs there are in your area. I know there's a few members on here who were techs and couldn't get jobs. One is doing respiratory therapy now (good money, and an in demand job).

I've volunteered at shelters and worked as a home health aid and CNA at a nursing home, I'm not worried about the actual work because, at the end of the day, there's nothing else I really WANT to do with myself. The job market isn't a major issue either as we're military and do move quite often (about every 2-4 years), I could always get a job on post or else where and if I have to do another job till a vet tech position comes along that's not a major deal either. This has always been my dream and for me it's worth following no matter what the "conditions".

I was just wondering if there was any tips as far as schooling goes, how your school experience was, ect.

when you get to Colorado talk to a number of the vets...

PS they have some awesome vet tech schools in colorado"_

also check the requirements for the state you in .. some states have none and thus many vets will on the job train and then you sit for the "bar" and get certified... the state I am in you can work as a tech with NO training but to be certified you have to go thru school then work for 5 years then sit for the "bar"...

I second the shadowing , I found out alot that you cant just learn by spending a few days doing it... For me I realized that yes a job with animals was feasible for me outside being a vendor ... and I had a vet ask me to come work for them( I have no formal tech training just nutrition )