Online and School Support Resources for Veterinary Tech Students

The good news is that there’s plenty of help out there, both in-person and online, that you can take advantage of along the way. We’ve put together this page of quality academic and career resources to get you started, whether you’re still researching vet tech schools, in the middle of your program, or are about to graduate. Below you’ll find information on lots of great resources and support services specifically designed to help you reach your vet tech career goals.

Vet Tech Student Support Centers and Services

Whether you need help locating financial aid, finding a tutor, or simply getting a handle on your online or on-campus classes, your first stop should be your school’s student support services. Your school may house all of its student support services in a single campus office, or services may be found in separate offices across your campus. You’ll also likely find detailed services information on your school’s website. Regardless of where they’re located, it’s important for all new vet tech students to get familiar with, and make use of, the student support services available to them.

To give you an idea of what you can expect in the way of student support services, we’ve spotlighted three schools with vet tech programs that provide excellent support services to their vet tech students.

Austin Community College

ACC offers a six-semester Veterinary Technology Associate of Applied Science degree with most courses taught on its Eastview Campus in Austin. The college additionally offers an impressive package of support services for its health services students, many of which are geared specifically for those in the vet tech program. From the Veterinary Technology Program homepage, students can access information on most vet tech-related student services, including career and employment support, and the full range of the ACC library’s virtual resources. Of particular note are the services available through the ACC Health Sciences Retention Coordinator’s office, where students can get help with improving their critical thinking, study, and test taking skills, as well as gain access to the school’s physical and mental health services. ACC additionally sponsors a Veterinary Technology Student Association.

Northern Virginia Community College

North Virginia Community College (NOVA) offers its vet tech students two associate degree study options: a full-time program available on the schools Loudon campus, and a part-time program that is completed primarily online with a few required campus visits. Both online and on-campus NOVA vet tech students have access to a range of support services, information on which can be found on the college’s Services & Support webpage — including details on student resources offered directly through NOVA’s Office of Student Services.

Important NOVA student support resources include: academic and career advising (both on-campus and virtual); financial aid support (including several scholarship opportunities exclusively for NOVA vet tech students); online tutoring; special services for disabled and military/veteran students; and the NOVACares program that provides student mental health and behavior counseling and assistance.

Oklahoma State University

OSU’s Oklahoma City campus is home to an AVMA-accredited Veterinary AAS degree program that qualifies students for both the VTNE and the Oklahoma State Veterinary Technician Examination. The Veterinary AAS program webpage is a good place to start your exploration of the wide range of support services available to OSU vet tech students, including resources for both future and current students.

Important services include in-person and virtual academic advising, in-person and online tutoring, IT support, career services, the OSU-OKC Wellness Center, and much more. Of particular note are the numerous resources offered in support of single parent students. OSU vet tech students can additionally take advantage of the professional and social networking opportunities available to members of the school’s Veterinary Technician Students Association.

Resources for Online Vet Tech Students

Along with the tremendous growth in online postsecondary education has come an equally tremendous growth in academic resources supporting online college students, including students pursuing their vet tech degrees in fully-online and hybrid-formatted programs. This is important since distance learning brings with it a number of unique challenges for those entering the online learning environment for the first time. Here are six resources that will help vet tech students succeed in their online degree programs:

Professional Organizations and Associations

A great way to build a solid foundation of support in the veterinary field is by joining a veterinary student organizations and professional associations. Through participation in student and professional group activities and events, you’ll develop long-lasting relationships with peers that will pay dividends throughout your vet tech career and beyond. Here are six vet tech and veterinary-related professional groups you’ll want to know more about:

Social Media and Online Communities

For most people today, social networks and other online communities are the places vet techs turn to first when looking to connect with other professionals in their field. Here are six of the best and most popular social media pages and online groups for vet techs seeking career advice, leads on jobs, emotional support, or who just want to shoot the breeze:

Articles, Videos, Books and Podcasts

In addition to networking and community sites, there are plenty of online media resources, social and traditional alike, that provide information and support to vet tech students and professionals. They include blogs, podcasts, books, magazines, and more. Here are six such resources vet techs are bound to find both helpful and entertaining: