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National
Veterinary Technician Week Observed Oct. 12--18;
MATC Program Supports Theme
Recognizing Vet Techs as “Educated, Skilled Professionals”
National Veterinary
Technician Week starts Oct. 12 and focuses on the education and skills
required to care for today’s animals with this year’s theme,
“Veterinary Technicians . . . Educated, Skilled Professionals”.
Madison Area Technical College is the leading local provider of professional
education and training for veterinary technicians and since 1985 has graduated
772 vet techs from its rigorous, two-year associate degree program.
“Our Veterinary
Technician Program has long been one of the most popular programs at our
college,” states Dr. C.C. Sheldon, who directs the program and is
a licensed and practicing veterinarian. “A dedication to animals
generally is what motivates students to apply for this program. But by
the time they graduate, our students have demonstrated a commitment to
completing difficult subjects such as clinical pathology, animal biology,
surgical nursing and zoonosis, which deals with diseases that are transmissible
from animals to humans.”
Sheldon says that
MATC vet tech students also get plenty of practical, hands-on experience
with animals. “Out of the 72 credit hours required to graduate from
our program, 26 are spent in labs working with animals. In addition, 4
credits must be earned during a summer internship, working in a veterinary
practice or facility with real clients and patients. It takes a lot of
dedication to complete our Veterinary Technician Program."
Veterinary technicians,
while always working under the supervision of a veterinarian, are vital
contributors to the health and well being of veterinary patients. Their
routine duties include restraint of animals, sample collection, nursing
care such as medication and IV catheter placement, feeding, record keeping
and client education. In addition, they also must master skills in administering
anesthesia, radiography, dental care and clinical pathology procedures.
“A strong
background in science is mandatory for this career, as are excellent communication
skills with animals and people,” explains Sheldon. “An important
part of a vet tech’s job is interviewing pet owners to summarize
key information to help the vet in diagnosis. In addition, vet techs often
provide owners pet care information and instructions.”
With the ever
evolving technology used by veterinarians to diagnose illnesses, the vet
tech must continue his or her education and gain new skills to provide
treatment for animals in their care. Vet techs usually are employed in
small or large animal practices or in humane societies but also may work
in biomedical research, the military, sales and education.
National Veterinary
Technician Week was created by the National Association of Veterinary
Technician in America (NAVTA), a nonprofit organization that represents
and promotes the professional of veterinary technology. NAVTA provides
direction, education, support and coordination for its members and works
with other allied professional organizations for the competent care and
humane treatment of animals.
MATC is one of
the largest of the Wisconsin Technical College System’s 16 colleges.
It provides a comprehensive curriculum of technical, liberal arts and
science, adult basic education and life enrichment studies and activities,
as well as customized employee training. MATC provides training in more
than 100 career programs. It awards associate degrees, vocational diplomas
and certificates, and offers non-degree courses. The college offers instruction
through five campuses and various other locations throughout the district.
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Last
Modified:
August 11, 2003
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