Animal health technicians provide care to sick or injured animals, working with small pets or larger domestic animals. They assist veterinarians with diagnoses, treatments, surgeries, and post-operative care. Technicians require an associate’s degree and licensing exams, and can work in animal hospitals, clinics, shelters, and other settings. They often aspire to become veterinarians.
An animal health technician, also known as a veterinary technician or veterinary assistant, provides direct care to sick or injured animals. He or she may specialize in working with small pets such as dogs, cats and birds, or larger domestic animals such as horses, cows and pigs. Professionals help licensed veterinarians make diagnoses, administer treatments and medications, perform surgeries, and provide post-operative care. An animal health technician may work at an animal hospital, private veterinary practice, boarding kennel or animal shelter.
Animal health technicians are often the first professionals consulted when your animals need medical attention. A technician can provide an initial screening of a pet or farm animal, identify the cause of its discomfort, and explain available treatment options. During a screening, he or she may check vital signs, weigh the animal, and gather information about its medical history. The technician relays this information to a veterinarian, who can determine an appropriate treatment plan.
When an animal requires surgery, the technician is usually responsible for preparing an operating room and administering sedatives or anesthetics. Many technicians can perform routine procedures like spaying and neutering pets and setting splints for broken bones. After a procedure, an animal health technician will usually care for the animal to ensure its comfort and well-being. He or she can administer medications, dress surgical wounds and scars, and bathe animals. Technicians often instruct the pet owner on how to provide ongoing care and how to prevent future cases of illness or injury.
To become an animal health technician, a person typically must earn at least an associate’s degree in veterinary technology or animal science. Upon graduation, an up-and-coming animal health technician must take a practical and written licensing exam administered by their state or country. Most new technicians receive additional on-the-job training, working as assistants to experienced professionals and performing basic tasks such as checking vital signs and preparing animals for surgery.
Generally, there is a strong demand for licensed technicians in all job settings. Most technicians work in animal hospitals and veterinary clinics, although professionals can also find employment at local animal shelters, rescue agencies, zoos and kennels. Many people in animal health technician jobs aspire to become veterinarians. They can work as technicians while attending veterinary school in order to gain experience and improve their chances of finding employment after receiving their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
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