collageThe article below gives you free access to valuable information on best online vet tech programs 2020, vet tech online courses for free, large animal vet schools online & online vet tech program reviews
What’s more? You will find related posts on uc davis application deadline, uc davis gpa requirements & uc davis acceptance 2020 on collegelearners.
Large animal veterinarians, also referred to as equine or farm animal veterinarians, can take care of and treat some of the most exotic animals known to man. All those large zoo animals that mesmerize audiences like tigers and bears, to farm animals like cows and pigs, are all options for those interested in becoming a large animal veterinarian expert.
By helping maintain food safety for these large animals and ensuring a healthy food supply for humans, there are several renowned large animal vet tech schools and farm animal programs that are available to those interested in pursuing this field as a professional career.
Large Animal Vet Schools Online
Read more to discover what the top 10 large animal vet tech schools in the nation have to offer.
Northeast Iowa Community College
ADDRESS : CALMAR, IA
The large animal vet tech program at Northeast Iowa Community College gives students the opportunity to work with the school’s dairy animal herd and its commercial companion animal hospital. Students can find the dairy animal herd at the Dairy Center, which serves as a public education facility and is sponsored by the Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation. Located just outside of Calmar, it features classrooms, labs, a free-stall barn and calf barn.
An internship is part of the large animal vet tech program and specialized courses offered in the field include large animal diagnostics, and large animal imaging and surgery. Although the school’s program focuses on large animals, students also learn the different aspects of vet tech medicine and take more general courses in animal health, veterinary medical terminology, and animal reproduction. Students also have the opportunity to join the school’s Rodeo Club.
Colorado Mountain College
ADDRESS : GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO
Students in the vet tech program at Colorado Mountain College can find the opportunity to work with large animals on a 220-acre farm overlooking the Rocky Mountains. Because the farm is home to about 175 animals, students can gain experience working with large animals such as horses, cattle, llama, and sheep. The farm also includes a science lab, work areas, and outdoor pens.
A 2,600-square-foot on-site hospital has been designed to operate like a vet hospital so that students can gain true-to-life vet tech experiences. This hospital features a large animal treatment area, a surgical suite, and dental, laboratory, and X-ray areas.
Students work toward completing an associate of applied science (AAS) degree and also have the option to take one-credit courses in animal management, including equine management.
Alfred State
ADDRESS : ALFRED, NY
As part of the vet tech program available through Alfred State, students can find opportunities to learn more about large animals through its Alfred State Farm. There, students gain hands-on experience working with a variety of large farm animals such as dairy cattle, alpacas, horses, goats, pigs, and sheep.
Students work toward completing an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in the program and can find the opportunity to take coursework focused on large animal anatomy and physiology. Students also have the option to take a farm management course. Other classes in the program focus on animal health care, animal parasitology, and anesthesia and surgical nursing.
Overall, the program puts a strong emphasis on hands-on experiences by having animal examination and imaging rooms, the farm, and a pathology lab available to students.
Vet Tech Institute
ADDRESS : CHICAGO, IL
Through the school’s associate of applied science (AAS) degree, students can gain hands-on knowledge working with animals such as cows, horses, and sheep at a farm, stable, or other such facilities. This AVMA-accredited program can be completed in 18 months and is offered at four campuses across the nation in Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh.
The vet tech programs are designed to provide extensive hands-on experience through onsite kennels, surgical suites and prep areas, clinical labs, radiography rooms. The Chicago campus features public transportation and free parking and recreation opportunities.
With three convenient start dates available throughout the year, students can begin their degree program at their convenience and learn from talented faculty members who specialize in teaching courses such as large animal theory, large animal medicine, and large animals.
Columbus State Community College
ADDRESS : COLUMBUS, OH
Students in the Columbus State Community College vet tech program have the opportunity to learn about large animals through coursework and internships in this two-year associate of applied science (AAS) degree program.
Students can choose from more than 160 clinics to fulfill their clinical experience requirements, as well as learn vet techniques in clinical laboratories, examination rooms, surgical, and radiology facilities.
While the first year of this program is most often spent in laboratory settings, the second year of the program requires physical strength and hand dexterity to maneuver large animals and practice ambulatory medicine on farm animals, as well as restraints of large animals such as horses and cows.
Columbus State’s program has been fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association since 1974. Graduates from this program are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)—a credential that is recognized in more than 40 states to certify vet techs, including Ohio.
University Of New Hampshire
ADDRESS : DURHAM, NH
In the University of New Hampshire vet tech program, students learn how to work with all the major domestic animals, including horses and cattle. The program leads to an associate of applied science (AAS) degree and provides specific coursework that is geared toward large animals. One of those is a two-credit large animal behavior and handling course offered in the first semester of the program. The other is the two-credit large animal practicum offered in the final semester of the second year.
The program trains students in all areas of veterinary care and offers more generalized courses in clinical animal nursing techniques, the fundamentals of animal health, and animal nutrition. Facilities that students may access as part of their program include the UNH equine facilities, the UNH Organic Dairy Farm, and the Applied Animal Science Biologic and Clinical Teaching Laboratory, among others.
The University Of Nebraska
ADDRESS : CURTIS, NE
Students in the vet tech program at the University of Nebraska can find a number of opportunities to increase their large animal experience and understanding, including by working with animals located in a horse barn and a cattle facility at the school.
The vet tech program provides additional ways for students to increase hands-on learning including through a surgical operating theater, laboratories, and several X-ray facilities. The school’s program offers students training related to all aspects of a vet tech career. In the second year, students take a two-credit large animal techniques class. And during a summer session following the second year, students need to complete their large animal clinicals (among other clinical rotations).
Elective options that may be of interest to large animal vet tech students include livestock nutrition (offered online) and calving rotations. This school’s vet tech program may be unique in that it is one of the oldest in the U.S. to continually receive accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association. Since 1973, it has been approved by AVMA..
Michigan State University
ADDRESS : EAST LANSING, MI
Unlike other large animal vet tech schools, the vet tech program offered through Michigan State University provides students an opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree. It is particularly geared toward students who have an associate degree in another field or who have been taking courses without selecting a specific degree focus.
Students gain general knowledge in their first year of the vet tech program. In the second year, the take classes such as large animal and laboratory animal nursing care techniques, and large animal diseases and management. An elective track the third year allows students to take a diverse number of classes, including one focused on large animal anesthesiology. In their third year, students can also complete a clerkship in equine medicine and surgery, which is often considered part of large animal care.
Notably, the school also offers a five-semester vet tech certificate of completion for those who have already obtained an associate degree in another field.
La Guardia Community College
ADDRESS : NEW YORK, NY
Students working on the associate of applied science vet tech degree available through LaGuardia Community College take general vet tech classes and a three-credit farm animal nursing class as part of the requirement of completing the program. This particular class provides them with a week-long experience at Suffolk County Farm, where they assist with births, neutering, and additional facets of animal husbandry. While there, students are able to expand their large animal vet tech experience by learning about horses, sheep lamb, llamas, and pigs.
Additionally, two ten-week internships provide students with experiences to work with a variety of animals. Of note, the school is the only one within New York City to offer a fully-accredited AVMA vet tech program.
Pierpont Community And Technical College
ADDRESS : FAIRMONT, WV
Students in the two-year associate degree program at Pierpont Community and Technical College take classes focused on large animal vet tech care as part of their curriculum. In the health management of farm animals course, students learn about restraining, handling, and medicating large animals such as cows, goats, horses, pigs, and sheep. They also learn about interstate regulations and take several field trips as part of that course.
Pleasure horse management, another large animal course, specifically introduces students to working with and handling horses. Students received instruction in topics such as common horse breeds, health, and care, nutrition, and transportation as part of that class. Finally, students may be able to find hands-on experience working with large animals by assisting a veterinarian as part of two fieldwork experiences (or preceptorships) required by the school.
Best Online Vet Tech Programs 2020
Get ready for the first step towards a career as a veterinary technician by checking out the different programs available for this growing profession online. Consider the emphasis of the program you want, in addition to cost and schedule.
1. Penn Foster College – Associate of Science in Veterinary Technician
- Low tuition price below $100 per credit hour; Penn Foster College also offers payment plans with no interest.
- Award-winning faculty and a strong vet tech student community
- Interactive coursework
- Clinical externships can be completed with one of the national veterinary hospital partners
- Courses include live webinars and asynchronous course elements and are mobile-friendly
- Up to 75% of credits toward the degree may transfer from other institutions
- Can be completed in four semesters
- Prepares students to take the VTNE
2. San Juan College – Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology
- Accredited by the AVMA
- Multiple start dates—fall, spring or summer
- Specialized vet tech courses last 12 weeks each
- 100% asynchronous online program designed for working professionals
- Hands-on labs designed to be performed at a veterinary clinic in student’s area
- Students work with both a companion animal site and a Food and Farm Animal site
- Fast-track labs for large animal skills on-site in Waco, Texas or another off-campus clinical instruction site
- One to four courses per semester
- Full-time students can complete the program in two years and then sit for the VTNE or similar state exams
- Open to international students
- Prior relevant work experience or college credit may be transfer credits or allow students to test out of some courses
3. Purdue University – Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology
- Part-time program that can be completed in three to five years
- “Veterinary nursing program” is a term that accurately represents the rigorous science-based curriculum and job duties of this profession
- Students may already work in veterinary practice
- Students are responsible for securing their own mentorship sites
- Online veterinary science degree graduates have a 90% pass rate on the VTNE
- Open to international students
- All students pay the same tuition rate regardless of residence
- Hands-on skills practiced with a mentor in the student’s area; Purdue holds on-campus workshops for students seeking large animal experience
4. St. Petersburg College – Associate of Science in Veterinary Technology
- Accredited by the AVMA and the American Animal Hospital Association
- Training includes radiology, nursing, dentistry, anesthesia, surgical preparation, and clinical laboratory tests
- Students must complete 18 or 22 credits of the general education requirements and have worked or volunteered at least 40 hours in an animal hospital before applying to the online animal science associate’s degree
- Coursework is completely online; students complete the clinical practicum with a mentor in their area
- Most learning is asynchronous
- Students must spend at least 20 hours per week in a veterinary clinic
- Florida residents pay less than a third of the tuition charged out-of-state students; there is the possibility to combine on-campus and online learning to fit the schedule needs of area students
5. Colby Community College – Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology
- The convenience of distance learning can be combined with weekend on-campus mentorships for specialized subjects
- All coursework can be completed online asynchronously with practicums in student’s residential area
- On-campus weekend mentorships for large animals, laboratory/exotic animals, and microbiology
- Online students required to work with veterinary hospitals in their area to cover hands-on skills
- Can be completed in three years part-time or two years full-time
- Tuition is very affordable, especially for Kansas residents, but tuition for out-of-state and international students is also very low
- Courses are offered three semesters per year, though not all courses are offered every semester
6. Barton County Community College – Associate of Science in Veterinary Medicine
- Cost per credit hour is very low for all students regardless of residency
- Transfer credits are allowed but must be verified by transcript
- The online animal science associate’s degree program is a total of 64 credit hours and begins with a number of general education requirements, including foundation studies, humanities, social and natural sciences, and mathematics
- Required courses for the Veterinary Medicine emphasis are chemistry, physics, and zoology; there are elective options in anatomy and physiology, statistics, and organic chemistry
- Flexible scheduling allows for shorter or longer course terms, from four-week intersession courses up to sixteen-week full semester classes
- Free online tutoring is available through this military-friendly school
- Practicum requirements, field work, internships, and clinical experiences
7. Allen County Community College – Associate of Science in Pre-Veterinary Medicine
- Tuition well under $100 per credit hour
- Credit for prior learning or military experience is available after completing 12 credit hours of work
- The recommended sequence of courses allows students to complete the program in as little as four semesters
- Specialty courses for the veterinary technician program include animal science and industry, fundamentals of animal nutrition, and agricultural economics
- Transfer agreements with public universities in Kansas for further education
- Open to international students and out-of-state students with the same incredibly low tuition costs
- Writing center for individual tutoring, math tutors, access to the online library, and technical assistance
How To Become A Large Animal Vet Tech
Large animal veterinary technicians work under a veterinarian providing medical care to large animals. They require an associate’s degree in a related field and can seek internships to learn their trade. These positions are in high demand with a job outlook much faster than average.
Essential Information
Large animal veterinary technicians perform medical care on horses, cows, goats, sheep and other large animals. These professionals work under the supervision of a veterinarian and may conduct medical lab tests, help clean an animal’s teeth, arrange tissue tests, obtain blood samples and support veterinarians during appointments. Such technicians usually earn a two-year degree in the field and must take a national examination to qualify for credentialing; many techs also opt for voluntary certification.
| Required Education | Associate’s degree in veterinary technology |
| Other Requirements | State licensure; Voluntary certifications are available |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | 16% for veterinary technicians and technologists* |
| Median Salary (May 2019) | $35,320 for veterinary technicians and technologists* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Educational Requirements for Large Animal Veterinary Technicians
Aspiring large animal veterinary technicians may look to community colleges, technical schools and other postsecondary institutions for training programs. Although programs concentrating exclusively on large animals are rare, most certificate and associate’s degree programs provide instruction on large animals and may even have farms or other facilities in which students can gain hands-on experience working with large animals like horses and cows. Some schools may require applicants to have completed specific requirements, such as high school science or math classes, prior to enrolling.
Coursework
Students may begin their coursework with classes in animal anatomy, physiology and nutrition. As students advance, they may explore more complex issues such as parasites, disease and pharmacology. Additionally, most programs require students to complete lab work in which they may become familiarized with lab equipment, procedures and techniques.
Internships
Students in some programs may need to complete internships that may be conducted in clinical settings at veterinary hospitals. Internships may provide students an opportunity to gain experience with medical areas from large animal medicine to animal surgery.
Licensure and Certification
Veterinary technicians are required to pass examinations in most states, although the licensing or certification requirements may vary from state to state. Most states use the National Veterinary Technician exam; however, some may use their own licensing test. Veterinary technicians may also become certified by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science in order to enhance their employment opportunities.
Career and Salary Outlook for Veterinary Technicians
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t provide specific job outlook or salary information for veterinary technicians who address issues for large animals exclusively; however, the BLS does report that employment of veterinary technicians and technologists in general is expected to rise much faster than the average by 16% between 2019 and 2029. The median annual wage for veterinary technicians and technologists was $35,320 in May, 2019, reported the BLS.
Veterinary technicians who specialize in large animals assist veterinarians in providing care for horses, cows, goats, sheep and other large animals. To work in this field requires a 2-year degree. Veterinary technicians are also required to obtain a license in most states. Certification is available, though usually voluntary. The annual median salary for these professionals is around $35,000.
collage