Certified Veterinary Technician(CVT)/ Nurse, while always working under the supervision of a veterinarian, provide many services to the patient and the patient's owner. Duties may include animal restraint, sterilizing surgical instruments and equipment, administering and maintaining anesthesia, assisting with surgical procedures, administering medications and performing prescribed nursing care under the direction of the veterinarian; assisting with radiology, running laboratory tests, preparing animals for surgery, giving post-operative care, keeping inventories. Technicians also work in the reception area and examination rooms taking histories, filling out records, explaining medication usage and instructing the owner about follow-up examinations and treatment. The training to become a CVT starts with attending  an accredited school to obtain an 2-year Associates or a rarely offered 4-year Bachelor's degree. This training can take place at a school or some schools offer distance education. Graduates of any AVMA accredited program may take a national certification exam (and in some states a state exam and/or references are required as well) and, upon passing, become certified. The technician is then subject to the regulations of the state Veterinary Medical Practice Act of the state she or he practices in. Madison Area Technical College offers the training at the school and Moraine Park Technical College offers a distance learning program.  Both programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities.   

Veterinary Technician Oath

 "I solemnly dedicate myself to aiding animals and society by providing excellent care and services for animals, by alleviating animal suffering, and promoting public health. I accept my obligations to practice my profession conscientiously and with sensitivity, adhering to the profession's Code of Ethics, and furthering my knowledge and competence through a commitment to lifelong learning."

 Veterinary Assistants are an important part of the veterinary medical team. Working with veterinarians and certified veterinary technicians, they help provide medical care to sick and injured animals. If you were to draw a comparison with human medicine, you might compare them to licensed practical nurses. A typical day in the life of a veterinary assistant includes giving medicines, feeding and bathing animals, cleaning up after them, and assisting with examinations and tests. Vet assistants play a very hands-on role. They take a pet's pulse, temperature and monitor respiration. Some even assist with surgery. Aside from these roles, many also do office work and act as receptionists. While some assistants train on the job most train in a school enviroment. This allows the assistants to receive instruction in anatomy and physiology, veterinary office procedures, medical nursing skills, pharmacology, medical terminology, laboratory and radiology procedures, as well as surgical assisting skills. The students spend hands-on time working with equipment and patients at the school, giving them the opportunity to practice what they have learned in a strictly supervised real-life setting. This education provides the graduates with the knowledge and practical experience to become valuable members of any veterinary health care team. The is one hands-on school offering this program is Wisconsin. That is the Horizon School of Veterinary Assisting located at the Fox Valley Animal Referal Center in Appleton, WI. If you are interested in the program please follow the link.