Is anyone familiar with Vet. tech programs? msg

I would really like to study a good Vet. tech program. I need a career change and this is something that I would like to do;but I was wondering where do you go to school to be a Vet. tech. Are the online programs any good? btw I live near New Orleans, La. U.S.A. and there are no schools in the area that offer the program, so I would have to do something through an online program. Thanks to all that answer. Cat.

here you go

http://www.educationdirect.com/progr...ant/index.html

thanks Hissy. Is this a good school ? I ran a search on google and found them. I don't want to pay for a program that is not worth it, or Is not reconized by the Vet. community.

Not the right person to ask that question to sorry. If I were you I would talk to good vet techs in your area and find out where they got their training, then talk to the school advisors as well and see if you qualify for any funding or programs. Most of the cracker-jack vet techs I know of, were all taught in the field and not in a classroom. One of the best, should really be a vet herself, has never even attended one class.

Originally Posted by catlover68

I would really like to study a good Vet. tech program. I need a career change and this is something that I would like to do;but I was wondering where do you go to school to be a Vet. tech. Are the online programs any good?

btw I live near New Orleans, La. U.S.A. and there are no schools in the area that offer the program, so I would have to do something through an online program. Thanks to all that answer. Cat.

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Hi Cat!

I am not a vet or a vet tech, but, have worked with quite a few of them as a client owner and as a rescuer client. So maybe that kinda half qualifies me to respond?

I think it depends on what you want your certification or degree to be good FOR, when you ask what programs are "good." There is the point Hissy makes, that some VERY smart people have not been to vet school and do really well caring for cats, and some not-so-stellar folks have vet (or other!) degrees and certifications.

Do you want to do spays and neuters? Do you want to treat heifers and horses? Want to inspect animal holding facilities? Want to help a local vet care for client's pets? See, all of these are veterinary things to do, but they involve pretty different sorts of interests and skills.

If I were to consider a career change like you've mentioned, I would consider how much I need to live on in the way I'm used to, as well as what would really make me feel happy and like I was contributing to society. If I wanted to help decrease the homeless pet population, I would try to find a "shelter veterinarian" curriculum. If there isn't one in your state, then you would have to consider whether moving might be worth while for you to gain the happiness you're after, or not.

One of our board members attended the local community college's vet tech certificate program; she learned a lot, has greater insight into what vets do every day, and could help with some of the procedures, should she want to go work for a vet. We are very proud of Becky for achieving this, and it didn't mean she had to find a vet school (there isn't one very near us, either), or move, or even change her current job.

So . . . my answer's another of those dreaded "it depends" ones, I guess!

I don't have any experience with online training,but I have heard that it is pretty hard.You could give it a try though.
I don't know how the online classes make it able for you to do hands on stuff.I don't know if they work out something with a local vet's office or what.I think it would be very difficult to actually learn how to do something by reading it(seeing video..or however you learn it) instead of actually getting to do the procedure hands on.But like I said I don't know how these programs work at all.

If you do decide to go to a campus,make sure it is accredited with the AVMA.I myself would not waste my time nor money to go to a school and still be considered an assistant(verses a licensed tech).If I spend time and money on an education,you better darn well believe I want those little letters after my name.

Anyway,good luck in whatever you decide to do.