Amidst Shortage, Animal Humane Society Trains New Vet Techs
At the animal hospital, veterinary technicians typically spend the most time with you and your pet.
They give medication, prepare animals for surgery and talk with families about their pets.
Nationwide, there’s a shortage of vet techs. A program at the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley is hoping to change that locally. The new Rachael Ray Foundation Career program prepares trainees to be vet techs over an eight month period.
Golden Valley Humane Society is Busier in Recent Years
The humane society is rarely quiet, and the surgical room is no exception. In recent years, it has gotten even busier.
“We are a very high volume shelter,” said Amanda Troastle, a veterinary assistant at the humane society. “We have a lot of animals coming in, a lot of animals coming out. Which means we have a very quick turnover.”
Kate Farmer — a veterinarian at the Golden Valley Animal Humane Society — and her vet assistants feel the strain.
“Animals are waiting longer to have initial exams by technicians, they are waiting longer to have behavior evaluations and surgeries,” Farmer said. “What that translates to is animals being in shelter in a stressful environment for longer.”
Vet Techs in High Demand
Vet techs are in high demand everywhere, according to Farmer.
She said they play a vital role in surgery, examinations and behavioral checks.
“Really, they are the thing that keeps the shelter moving,” Farmer said. “Vet techs are essential to veterinarians. We couldn’t do our jobs without them.”
At her hospital, the Rachael Ray program is hoping to keep it all in motion.
“We became fully trained in as veterinary assistants, going in to training as veterinary technicians,” Troastle said.
“When they are done in the program, they will get to slide right back into the space they were working before,” Krohn said. “Just with a little more skill.”
Rachael Ray Foundation Career Program program trainees work in classrooms and in hands-on settings with instructors. They do this work to prepare to launch their career as veterinary technicians.
Troastle is a veterinary assistant — for now. In a few weeks, thanks to the program, she will be one of the vet techs that can assist Farmer.
“It feels really great to just kind of be able to say ‘You know, this is something I’ve wanted to do my whole life, and now it is 2, 3 weeks away,” Troastle said.
Troastle and her cohorts’ graduation will add much-needed activity to the operating room.
The program is expanding to anyone beginning in October. A second run of the program will start in November.
Anyone interested can learn more and apply to the program online.
Applications close July 31.
