Veterinary Technology, AAS

Veterinary technicians provide professional technical support to veterinarians, biomedical researchers and other scientists. As a veterinary technician, you will care for hospitalized animal patients; assist the doctor in surgery; perform physical exams, lab work and technical procedures (blood draws, IV catheter placement); take health histories and X-rays; give and monitor anesthesia; provide client education; and perform reception duties. There will be opportunities to work with a variety of animals including dogs, cats, horses, cows, pigs, sheep, birds, snakes, guinea pigs, hamsters and rats.

Most Veterinary Technician graduates find work in small-mixed or large-animal practices. Other opportunities exist in humane societies, animal shelters, zoos, specialty veterinary practices, pet shops, biological research labs, animal control agencies, veterinary teaching hospitals, and state and federal agencies.

An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree will be awarded to those students who successfully complete the Veterinary Technology curriculum. This program is accredited. Students who have successfully completed the program will have the opportunity to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and the Veterinary Technician State Examination (VTSE).

For more information about the Veterinary Technology program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/ag/vettech.

Location: Ankeny

Program Entry Requirements

1. Complete an application for admission.
2. Satisfy the assessment requirement.
3. Students will be expected to have developed word processing skills or may be required to enroll in a keyboarding course prior to taking the Veterinary Office Procedures course.
4. Submit evidence of grade “C” or better in one year of high school biology or equivalent (DMACC Academic Achievement Center Biology I & II or BIO 156 ).
5. Submit evidence of grade “C” or better in one year of high school chemistry or equivalent (DMACC Academic Achievement Center Chemistry I & II or CHM 122 ).
6. Biology Competency Exam: All applicants must take this exam and receive a minimum score of 25 out of 50 on the exam to qualify for a seat in the starting Fall class. This score does not guarantee that a seat is available to you. Your biology score and the application date as processed by the College Admissions office will determine the 30 students who will receive an invitation for the program interview, orientation and registration. At the time the College formally processes your admission application, you will receive additional information regarding all required assessments for this program.
7. Program Conferences: Applicants as determined by biology scores and admission dates will be invited to a program conference with the Veterinary Technology program chairperson or the chairperson of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department.
8. Attend any required information/registration session.

Students start Fall semester.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a Veterinary Technology AAS degree, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.