Dear Doctor Barchas,

Rebecca
Tuba City, AZ

Veterinary technicians, also called veterinary nurses, help in many ways with animal care in veterinary facilities. Duties of veterinary technicians depend upon training (both on-the-job and formal), experience, license level, and the culture of the facility in which the technician is employed. Well-trained, licensed veterinary technicians engage in such activities as phlebotomy (drawing blood for diagnostic tests), placing intravenous catheters, anesthetizing animals, performing basic dental work, taking X-rays, monitoring blood transfusions, placing splints and bandages, and assisting with surgeries and emergencies.

It is possible to become a veterinary technician without formal education. However, licensed veterinary technicians must complete a special educational program and pass a licensing test. Licensed technicians legally can perform many more duties than unlicensed techs. Licensed technicians are in high demand, and command higher salaries (and usually higher status) than their unlicensed counterparts. If you are truly passionate about becoming a technician, I’d recommend that you plan on completing a veterinary technician program as soon as appropriate.

While you are preparing for tech school, you can begin to gain experience by applying for work at a veterinary hospital. Many technicians start off as kennel attendants or veterinary assistants before being promoted. Entry level animal care jobs at veterinary hospitals usually involve a lot of cage cleaning, dog walking, and poop scooping. But most kennel attendants and vet assistants also learn to restrain animals safely for procedures and injections. They assist the vets and the techs with treatments and procedures. They learn the inner workings of the hospital. They also gain insight into whether they truly want to commit to a career in the veterinary field.

If you are too young to work at a veterinary hospital, I’d recommend that you explore the possibility of volunteering with animals. Many animal shelters and SPCAs utilize volunteers to socialize (and sometimes provide medical treatments to) stray cats and dogs. Zoos, aquariums, museums, and wildlife rescue organizations also often are in need of volunteers.

No matter what, I recommend that you apply yourself to school and to studying. Good study habits will help you through tech school and the licensing exam. And good grades will open up a world of opportunities for you regardless of the career you choose.

Related post: How can I become a veterinarian?

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I’m 14 and I have always wanted to be a vet or a
vet assistant. Can you give me some advice on how
I can start preparing myself for when I become old
enough to actually do the whole job?

Jessie
Orange, CA

Study hard and get good grades.

University veterinary programs are very competitive. The most important admissions criterion is academic performance. To get into vet school, you need to get good grades at a good college. To get into a good college and to develop good habits you need to study hard and get good grades, starting now.

Also important, and generally more fun than studying, is to gain experience with animals. Vet school admissions committees prefer applicants who have worked with animals in a veterinary setting.

Working with a vet also will help you learn about the profession and help you decide with certainty that you want to enter it. Becoming a vet is a big commitment. It’s a good idea to know what you’re getting yourself into early on.

Some veterinary hospitals and animal shelters allow high school students to volunteer at their facilities. You can investigate whether there are any such premises in your neighborhood. When you are old enough to work legally, you can apply for a position as a kennel attendant or animal care assistant at a veterinary hospital. However, be sure that your work does not cause your grades to drop!

Working with a vet is not an absolute requirement for successful vet school applicants. I volunteered at a zoo and an aquarium instead. Other students work on farms. But admissions committees generally favor applicants who have experience in veterinary facilities.

Forgive me for harping on the matter, but always remember that doing well in school is the most important thing you can do. Even if you ultimately decide not to become a vet, good grades will open a world of opportunities in your future.

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