BLINN RECOGNIZES NINE VETERINARY TECH GRADUATES

  

Nine Blinn College Veterinary Technology Program graduates were welcomed to their new profession Friday, May 12, during a ceremony at Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Blinn’s 2017 veterinary technology graduating class includes: Morgan Adair (Wylie), Morgan Badley (Keller), Samantha Baggett (San Marcos), Brittany English (Devine), Cortney Evins (Corpus Christi), Brianna Jantzi, Neliris Millan (Puerto Rico), Kathryn Smaus (Austin), and Nicole Tolliver (Orange County, Calif.).

“These students have worked extremely hard throughout the past two years,” said David Sessum, Program Director. “They all have the skills and compassion to enjoy long careers as licensed veterinary technicians.”

Veterinary technology is one of the fastest-growing professions in the nation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Veterinary technicians assist in diagnosis and surgery, sample collection, sample submission, client communication and research, and support veterinarians in much the same way nurses assist doctors.

Blinn’s is one of just  10 accredited programs in the state that offers veterinary technology training. The College’s partnership with Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences allows Blinn students to get hands-on training in every aspect of the wide-ranging field.

Up to 30 students are admitted to the program each Fall. A strong science and mathematics background is required to complete the academically rigorous two-year commitment, and students must demonstrate an interest in the profession with 40 hours of supervised veterinary experience before submitting an application for admission.

Once enrolled, first-year students participate in clinical rotations at five different veterinary clinics for one-week stints. Second-year students perform clinical rotations for eight weeks at Texas A&M. Each student is required to participate in one-week clinical rotations at five different veterinary clinics, where they perform the same tasks as a fully-credentialed veterinary technician.

“The level of education Blinn’s vet tech students receive is unparalleled,” Sessum said. “Our students work side-by-side with veterinary students and faculty at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. This prepares students for a career in veterinary medicine, but also allows veterinary students to see the level of education of Licensed Veterinary Technicians and leads to more job opportunities for the students in our program.”

After earning their Associate of Applied Science, program graduates are eligible to take their state and national exams to become fully-credentialed licensed veterinary technicians (LVTs), with an average starting salary of $31,000. While most LVTs work in private practices, graduates also find employment with animal shelters, stables, reproductive facilities, zoos, wildlife facilities, pharmaceutical sales, the military and homeland security.

For more information about Blinn’s Veterinary Technology Program, visit: www.blinn.edu/twe/vet_tech/.

Story courtesy of Blinn Communications