The Province is proclaiming Oct.15-21, 2017, Registered Veterinary Technician & Technologist (RVT) Week, recognizing the vital role vet techs have in preserving animal health and welfare throughout British Columbia.

“The commitment our registered veterinary techs show in providing B.C.’s animals with compassionate and high-quality care deserves to be recognized,” said Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham. “The B.C. government values the important work of the hard-working women and men in the field and their daily contributions to the welfare of animals.”

B.C.’s registered vet techs are crucial to the day-to-day function of veterinary practices. They support veterinarians by caring for animals and assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of animal-health disorders, including duties such as performing initial evaluations of an animal's condition, cleaning and wrapping wounds, checking vital signs and administering medication.

The demand for skilled workers in the veterinary field is forecasted to grow in the next few years, presenting opportunities for British Columbians entering the workforce who have the necessary requirements. Each day on the job of a vet tech promises to offer new and rewarding experiences.

Quick Facts:

• Nationally, October is Registered Veterinary Technician or Technologist (RVT) Month.
• RVTs are formally educated in dozens of areas within veterinary medicine. From anaesthesia to dentistry, lab animal research to industry sales, equine to avian and exotics, nutrition to radiology, and large animal medicine to shelter medicine.
• Thompson Rivers University’s animal health technology program and Douglas College’s vet tech program are two post-secondary programs that train RVT’s in B.C.

Learn More:

For more info on the exciting field of veterinary technology, visit:
https://www.workbc.ca/Jobs-Careers/Explore-Careers/Browse-Career-Profile/3213#section-job-requirements

British Columbia Veterinary Technologists Association: http://bcvta.com/

Animal Health Technology Program at Thompson River University: http://www.tru.ca/science/programs/aht.html

Veterinary Technology Program at Douglas College: https://www.douglascollege.ca/programs-courses/faculties/science-technology/veterinary-technology