Animal Humane Society Launches Vet Tech Training Program
The Animal Humane Society is tackling the nationwide shortage of veterinary technicians by developing a new training program of its own. The program will have classroom lessons and hands-on practice in Golden Valley and in clinics around the metro.
“With this program, it’s going to be pretty intense over seven months so that’s a lot of education you’re getting and a lot of experience that you’ll get that’s different than other places when you come out with experience,” said Kayla Johnson, training supervisor for the program.
The shortage of vet techs is a nothing new and has resulted in longer wait times in clinics. The Animal Humane Society says the shortage impacts the number of animals they can care for in shelters and limits the number of appointments that are available to the public.
“The shortage of vet techs has been years and possibly a decades issue for a number of professionals in the vet field,” said Dr. Graham Brayshaw, director of veterinary medicine at the Animal Humane Society.
Vet Techs prepping a cat for surgery. photo courtesy Animal Humane Society
The first cohort of trainees will begin in October with five individuals. AHS says it expects to start additional cohorts every three to four months. Individuals will be paid an hourly salary and receive benefits and then be promoted to full-time AHS veterinary techs upon graduation.
You can learn more here.
