There are many good reasons to pursue a career as a vet tech.
First, it lets you interact with animals regularly.
You get to work closely with dogs, cats, and exotics every day of the week.
That is quite appealing to those with a passion for animals.
Also, it teaches you about animal health and well-being.
You learn a variety of skills in providing nursing care and treatment to sick and injured animals.
Lastly, it pays decently.
In Philadelphia, PA, for instance, vet techs earn $20.97 per hour on average.
With more experience and advanced skills, they can get paid $25 or higher.
If this is a career path that you think suits you, you should enroll in a vet tech program.
Take a look at the vet tech schools in Philadelphia, PA below to learn more.
Manor College
About the School
Manor College is a private Catholic college founded in 1947 in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.
They offer certificate, associate, and bachelor’s degree programs in a variety of areas of interest, such as Business, IT, Liberal Studies, and Healthcare.
As an institution of higher learning, they are committed to academic excellence through current, innovative programs.
They encourage their students to develop their critical thinking, sense of inquiry, and communication skills to effectively serve society.
They strive to be a leader in transformational education that facilitates a purpose-filled life that meets the urgent and emerging social justice needs of the world.
They are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Technology Program aims to provide an excellent education in the fundamentals of veterinary technology to ensure success when entering the workforce in a variety of clinical positions.
Since 1992, it has been accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and involves hands-on training in state-of-the-art veterinary facilities.
Taught by experienced veterinarians and certified vet techs, classes are a mix of lessons and labs that cover the following topics:
- Radiology
- Surgical Assisting
- Anesthesiology
- Laboratory Animal Science
- Large and Small Animal Clinical Procedures
Upon successful completion, graduates become eligible to obtain their professional license to practice Veterinary Technology in the state of Pennsylvania.
They may test for the Veterinary Technician National Exam.
They may also continue their studies and earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Practice Management.
Career options include employment in private small animal practices, emergency practices for small animals, general practice for small and exotic species, and pharmaceutical and biomedical research.
Address: 700 Fox Chase Rd, Jenkintown, PA 19046, United States
Harcum College
About the School
Harcum College is a private college in Bryn Mawr, PA.
Founded in 1915, they were the first college in the state to be authorized to grant associate degrees.
They offer 20+ majors in Health Sciences, Fashion, and more.
They also have accelerated degree programs in Human Services, Business, Law and Justice, and other fields of study.
Their mission statement is “to provide students with an opportunity for outstanding academic, career, and life preparation.”
They strive to teach, mentor, and prepare them for success in their chosen fields in an experiential environment utilizing various modalities and technology.
They are accredited by the Middle State Commission on Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Nursing Program prepares students for a career as a veterinary nurse in a variety of veterinary settings.
It provides hands-on experience at the University of Pennsylvania – School of Veterinary Medicine.
The Program Course Sequence features the following courses:
First Semester
- English Composition I
- College Mathematics or Pre-Calculus
- Introduction to Chemistry
- Introduction to Veterinary Nursing
- Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals
Second Semester
- English Composition II
- Laboratory Animal Science
- Exotic Animal Nutrition and Management
- Veterinary Nutrition for Companion Animals
Third Semester
- Veterinary Clinical Pathology I
- Principles of Large Animal Medicine
- Surgery and Radiology
- Veterinary Clinical Pathology II
- Social Science Elective
Fourth Semester
- Pharmacology and Medical Math
- Veterinary Clinical Pathology III
- Advanced Nursing Skills
- Veterinary Nursing Senior Seminar
- Diversity Elective
- Humanities Elective
It also includes a Small Animal Practicum and a Large Animal Practicum.
The full program requires 89 credits.
Accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, graduates of the program may sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam.
Address: 750 Montgomery Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, United States
Johnson College
About the School
Johnson College is a private technical school in Scranton, PA.
Established in 1912, they are a premier institution for technical education that has continually evolved to meet the demands of an ever-changing workforce landscape.
They offer an array of specialized programs and courses catering to diverse technical fields.
From automotive technology, electrical construction and maintenance, and welding to building construction technology and computer information technology, their curriculum is meticulously designed to equip students with practical skills aligned with industry needs.
Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, they are committed to providing a comprehensive education rooted in hands-on learning, fostering critical thinking, and preparing students for successful careers in their respective fields.
They value innovation, integrity, excellence, and community engagement.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Nursing Program is a two-year associate degree program that teaches the necessary skills in animal care to become an entry-level technician.
It provides instruction and training on how to do the following vet tech responsibilities:
- Collecting samples
- Performing lab tests
- Taking radiographs
- Preparing the surgical suite
- Assisting in surgery
- Monitoring anesthesia
- Providing general nursing care to patients
- Other clinical duties
It also requires clinical rotation experiences in the Animal Care Center, which is a pet wellness center on campus.
The curriculum features a wide range of courses, such as:
- Semester 1 – Introduction to Veterinary, Clinical Applications for Large Animals, Animal Anatomy and Physiology
- Semester 2 – Parasitology and Immunology, Clinical Applications for Small Animals
- Semester 3 – Pharmacology and Anesthesia, Clinical Pathology, Surgical Nursing
- Semester 4 – Veterinary Radiology, Intensive Care Applications, Diseases and Zoonoses
To be eligible for graduation, students have to complete a minimum of 74 credits.
Graduates may sit for the Veterinary Nursing National Exam to become Certified Veterinary Nursing professionals.
Career paths include veterinary technician, veterinary practice manager, academia, animal rehabilitation, laboratory/research, and veterinary pharmaceutical rep.
Address: 3427 N Main Ave, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 18508
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center
About the School
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center is a career and technical school that prepares students for careers in the new economy.
Whether high school students or adults, they provide quality hands-on learning that can help them thrive in their chosen fields.
They offer Pathways to Higher Education, Adult Education, Online, Workforce Training, and Continuing Education Programs in Healthcare, Trades, and others.
Their mission statement is “Prepare people for skilled, innovative, and productive careers.”
They are accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education and licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Technology Program combines classroom theory sessions and laboratory experiences on a variety of topics in animal healthcare.
Its Curriculum Outline covers the following courses:
Term 1:
- Introduction to Veterinary Technology
- Technical Mathematics
- Animal Biology/Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology 1
- Veterinary Practice Management
- Veterinary Nursing Techniques
Term 2:
- Veterinary Terminology
- English Composition
- Fundamentals of Chemistry
- Veterinary Nutrition
- Veterinary Clinical Pathology I
- Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology II
Term 3:
- Veterinary Pharmacology
- Large Animal Medicine
Term 4:
- Microbiology
- Veterinary Clinical Pathology II
- Animal Medicine
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Veterinary Radiology
Term 5:
- Laboratory Animal/Avian/Exotic
- General Psychology
- Emergency Small Animal
- Surgical Nursing/Dentistry
- Veterinary Anesthesia
Term 6:
- VTNE Preparation Course
- Veterinary Tech Externship
It requires 74 total credits to be eligible for graduation.
Program length is 21 months and classes are held full-time Mondays through Fridays.
Graduates may sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) to become Certified Veterinary Technicians.
Address: 1730 Hans Herr Drive, Willow Street, Pennsylvania, 17584-0527
Lehigh Carbon Community College
About the School
Lehigh Carbon Community College is a public community college in Schnecksville, PA, serving the counties of Lehigh, Carbon, and Schuylkill, and the surroundings.
Founded in 1966 as Lehigh County Community College, they are dedicated to supporting their community by providing transformative learning experiences that prepare students for the needs of an ever-changing world.
They offer 90+ programs, including associate degrees and workforce certificates, in the following academic fields:
- Arts, Communication, and Design
- Business, Legal Studies, and Administration
- Computer Science and Information Technology
- Education and Public Services
- Health Care
- Manufacturing, Trades, and Transportation
- Science and Engineering
They enroll approximately 15,000 students each year, whether full-time, part-time, or online.
They are accredited by the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Technician Program is an Associate Degree Program designed to prepare students for the veterinary medicine field as veterinary technicians.
Coursework covers the following topics:
- Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
- Large Animal Clinical Procedure
- Small Animal Clinical Procedure
- Veterinary Surgical and Nursing and Anesthesia
- Lab Animal Science and Exotics
- Veterinary Radiology
Upon successful completion, graduates may sit for the veterinary technician national board exam to obtain their certification.
They may seek employment in veterinary clinics, pharmaceutical labs, research labs, wildlife and zoo centers, animal shelters, and animal feed companies.
Address: 4525 Education Park Dr, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, 18078