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Veterinary Technology

Become a Veterinary Technician or Assistant

Vet Tech Program Information Night

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Monday, Nov. 6, 2023 at 5–7 p.m. • Join in Person or via Zoom

Do you like animals? Have you always wanted to work with them? Join us to learn about our program, how this career can fit into your future, and how to utilize our student resources to be successful!

Shae, our program director, and the program faculty are thrilled to meet with you in-person and virtually to help answer your questions.

Register to attend

QUESTIONS?  Email healthcareerprograms@fhda.edu.

 

At Foothill College, we have career training for both veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants. What's the difference between the two programs?

Veterinary Technician

Learn more about the Vet Tech program, including cost of program

Veterinary Assistant

  • Open enrollment
  • No prerequisites
  • No degree or license
  • Training not recognized by the AVMA.

Learn more about the Veterinary Assisting program

Career Opportunities

As a veterinary technician, you'll serve primarily as a professional assistant to veterinarians, biomedical researchers, and other scientists, and as such are an integral part of the veterinary health care team.

To work in the field, you must possess a unique combination of knowledge and skill involving basic science, animals, and people.

As the complexity of veterinary medicine increases, and as the public demand for state-of the-art care for their animals increases, the veterinary technician will play an ever increasing role in the delivery of excellent health care for animals.

The greatest demand for veterinary technicians is in a private veterinary practice working along side the veterinarian caring for companion animals. However, the demand for veterinary technicians in other fields is increasing.

Fields with a high or growing demand for Vet Tech workers

  • Private veterinary practice
  • Teaching
  • Pharmaceutical sales
  • Humane societies
  • Livestock production
  • Equine practice
  • Biomedical research
  • Diagnostic laboratories
  • Zoo/wildlife medicine
  • Veterinary supply sales
  • Public health organizations
  • Pet food industry

Degree & Certificates Types

View list below for programs offered at Foothill. Then select program map for a possible schedule that fulfills program and college requirements.

For program requirements and full course listings, view degrees and certificates information.

Associate in Science Degree

NOTE: When viewing this program map, you may select from two pathways — 1. Accelerated; and 2. Part-time.

Certificate of Achievement

 

Learn More!

If you are interested in joining this field, learn more about our Vet Tech program at Foothill.



Veterinary Technology Program Application

Vet Tech Quick View
Program: Veterinary Technology
Degree: AS
Length: 2 years
Start/End: July/June
FT/PT: FT
Number Accepted: 32
Application Window:  Oct.1–April 21
Program Application Deadline: April 21
Prerequisites: Yes
Approx. Cost of Program: $5,500
National Licensing Exam: Yes
State Licensing Exam: No
Est. Annual Salary (with license): $40,000–$60,000
See informaton about our Veterinary Assisting Certificate Program
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Questions?
We're Here to Help!

Health Sciences and Horticulture Career Support

650.949.7643


healthcareerprograms@fhda.edu


Building 5200

VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM CONTACTS
Office: Building 5200, Room 5211 

Shaelyn St Onge-Cole,  Program Director

Phone: 650.949.7818

stonge-coleshaelyn@fhda.edu

 
Nancy Cheung, MPA, Division Dean
cheungnancy@fhda.edu
Health Science & Horticulture Division

 

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