So, where can you get the essential experience and education you need?
Gaining Experience Working with Animals
Animals are everywhere, in our homes, on farms, in the wild, and there are many places you can go to get essential experience to prepare yourself for working with animals for life. Before you decide to go to college for animal health technology, you should try working or volunteering somewhere that deals with animals daily, to know if you are prepared to dedicate your career to this field.
One of the best places you can work at for experience is at a veterinary clinic. They work daily with animals; often animals are just there for a checkup, but there are still going to be daily cases of working around animals that are sick and injured and need extra attentive and careful care. You’ll also get to watch veterinarians and certified animal health technologists work with technology in the healthcare plans of animals, and maybe pick up a few things before you pursue your formal education.
Working at a shelter or rescue facility will give you essential animal handling skills for a variety of household animals. If you are looking to build up skills for wild animals, then volunteering at a zoo or wildlife rehabilitation center will give you experience with exotic and large species of animals, and you will get to see unique animal health technologies needed to deal with their health issues.
Animal Health Technology Education
Education is essential when it comes to animal health technology, and you need to be accredited and certified to work alongside veterinarians in the field. You’ll receive skills in every aspect of the veterinarian care cycle, from communication skills with clients to hands on practical skills necessary for the proper care of an animal of any size.
Through animal health technology you’ll learn about diagnostic technologies such as x-ray, ultrasound and MRI. You’ll learn about all the technologies used in surgical animal care, and how to assist in surgeries effectively. Critical care nursing for animals and first aid techniques will also be taught, including triage for emergencies. In addition to many other practical skills for the operation of animal health technology on patients, you’ll also be taught how to properly maintain equipment.
Learning to work with animals is essential if you want a career in animal healthcare, and education is important if you wish to focus on animal health technology. Get some experience in the field if you can, then if you decide it’s right for you, search for a college or university that offers an accredited animal health technology program to begin your career.
