School of Agriculture, Plant, and Animal Sciences

Veterinary Technology

Vermont State University logo

Vermont Technical College will join with Castleton University and Northern Vermont University to become Vermont State University on July 1, 2023.

Visit VermontState.edu to learn more about Veterinary Technology for fall 2023.

Learn More and Apply

Demand for Veterinary Technology graduates is strong and growing. Technicians form an important link between clients, their pets, and the veterinarian. Technicians work in the laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, and surgical areas and perform duties related to patient reception, assessment/triage, and client education.

Launch 2021 Vet Tech (Randolph Center)

At Vermont Tech, two full-time veterinarians and a certified veterinary technician instruct students in the core two-year program with support from other faculty and an additional full-time veterinary technician. Hands-on experience is stressed and students gain experience in over 300 American Veterinary Medical Association-required  procedures.

The college farm gives students excellent exposure to dairy cattle and horses. The facility on the main campus provides a modern setting for experience with dogs, cats, rodents, reptiles, and birds. Basic restraint and handling is also taught on sheep, chickens, and rabbits.

Students are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination upon completion of the program. Click to view our students’ pass rates.

Graduates of this program have various employment opportunities including veterinary practices, universities, pharmaceutical/biological research companies, diagnostic labs, feed companies, zoos, and government veterinary facilities.

A student with an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate competence in veterinary facility management utilizing appropriate professional and client communication skills and maintaining ethical standards according to applicable laws and codes of the veterinary technology field
  2. Exhibit a technical level of competency in the safe and effective preparation, administration, and dispensation of medications (including controlled drugs) using proper dosage calculations, labeling, and record-keeping
  3. Demonstrate entry-level skills in patient nursing care for both companion and food animals including husbandry; nutrition; restraint techniques; patient data and sample collection; administration of therapeutics; and basic dental prophylaxis
  4. Safely and effectively manage patients and associated equipment in all phases of anesthetic procedures
  5. Integrate all aspects of patient, environment, and equipment management for common surgical procedures in a variety of animal species
  6. Handle, store, ship, and properly analyze lab specimens
  7. Safely and effectively produce diagnostic radiographic and non-radiographic images and operate and maintain the associated equipment
  8. Safely and effectively handle and provide care for lab, avian, and exotic animals

The student must adhere to the policies and procedures in the program’s student handbook, including safety issues related to pregnancy, immunizations, and substance abuse. They must also receive human prophylactic rabies vaccine.

The student must satisfactorily complete all AVMA-required tasks for each course to receive a grade in that course. BIO 2320, MAT 1440, and all VET courses must be completed with a grade of C or better to graduate. Any student who fails to achieve a C or better in any core BIO, MAT, or VET course after two attempts is dropped from the program. Returning students who need to repeat courses are placed in them as space is available.

Curriculum Details

year
1
year
2

Job Projections

NATIONAL AVG.
16%
Veterinary Technologists
19%
That Translates Into

112,900

JOB OPENINGS BETWEEN 2019 - 2029

Projected Employment Growth for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians, 2019-2029 (source: BLS). National data: Job openings for all occupations (source: BLS)

Placement Rate

100%

VTC

vs

N/A

NATIONAL

Vermont Tech data: 6 Month Outcome Survey, Class of 2019. National Data: National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) First Destinations for the College Class of 2018 (October 2018)

Employers

  • Angell Animal Medical Center
  • Animal Kingdom
  • Apple Tree Animal Hospital
  • Arlington Animal Hospital
  • At Home Veterinary Care
  • Barre Animal Hospital
  • Bradford Veterinary Clinic
  • Country Animal Hospital
  • Driftway Animal Hospital
  • East Greenbush Animal Hospital
  • Eastwood Animal Clinic
  • Essex Veterinary Center
  • Fitzgerald Veterinary Hospital
  • Granville Animal Hospital
  • Green Mountain Animal Hospital
  • Hudson Animal Hospital
  • Kedron Valley Clinic
  • Lamoille Valley Veterinary
  • Littleton Area Veterinary
  • Emergency Services
  • Long Trail Animal Hospital
  • Meadow Pond Animal Hospital
  • Medfield Animal Clinic
  • Mobile Veterinary Clinic
  • Nelson Farms
  • North Country Veterinary Referral Center
  • Northside Animal Hospital
  • Norwich Regional Veterinary
  • Randolph Animal Hospital
  • Randolph Regional Veterinary Hospital
  • Riverside Veterinary Care
  • Russell Animal Hospital
  • Rutland Veterinary Clinic
  • Sharon Veterinary Clinic
  • Shelburne Veterinary Hospital
  • Springfield Animal Hospital
  • Tenneberger Animal Hospital
  • The Animal Doctor
  • The Cat Doctor
  • VCA Riverside Veterinary
  • Veremedy Pet Hospital
  • Vergennes Animal Hospital
  • Wachusett Pet Hospital
  • Waterbury Veterinary Hospital
  • Whitefield Animal Hospital
  • Wunderland Pet Lodge
  • True North Veterinary Hospital
  • Woodlands Veterinary Clinic

Job Titles

  • Woodlands Veterinary Clinic
  • Surgery Technician
  • Veterinary Assistant
  • Herd Health Technician
  • Dairy Farm Consultant
  • Kennel worker

Greta Kuhnly

  • I love all things animals
  • I focused on animal science in high school
  • I assist Dr. Dorosko with animal check-ups
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Jack Beauparlant

  • I am able to dig in and get my hands dirty in the field during class.
  • I enjoy Vermont Tech’s small class size.
  • I am so happy to know more about landscaping than I ever thought possible.
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Laura Cooley

  • I got more from my senior year of high school at VAST
  • My father graduated from Vermont Tech
  • I love the small-college feel
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news

  • 15
    Aug

    On August 9, 2022, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) would award a $1.2 million grant to Vermont Technical College to expand the college’s agricultural workforce development and entrepreneurship training programs. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan and will support the establishment of agricultural and food entrepreneurship coursework designed…

    Read more  
  • 18
    May

    Vermont Technical College has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the state’s Working Lands program to increase meat processing courses at the school. State agriculture officials say the money will create a number of certificate opportunities for students. Officials say about 70 students a year will learn the trade which ultimately will help address workforce shortages in the industry. “Vermont livestock producers…

    Read more  
  • 17
    May

    Vermont State University, the first statewide, hybrid higher education institution in the United States, launched its unified brand identity and logo during a live virtual broadcast today. The unveiling is a major milestone in a transformation process unifying three institutions – Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College. Sixteen months ago, the Vermont State Colleges System initiated a…

    Read more  

Jenny Yang

  • I was a TRIO mentor and tour guide.
  • I’m pursuing my dream career.
  • I’m doing this all on my own, but I felt supported at school.
  • I was excited to enter into my field so quickly.
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Courtney Banach

  • I was raised as a 'city kid'
  • I participated in the FARMS 2+2 program
  • I was given many opportunities to prepare myself for a career
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Kara Polito

  • I was offered a job before graduation
  • I have known this is what I wanted since I was 3
  • I am a TRIO student
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We would love to meet you and personally introduce you to the Vermont Tech community.