Regional Occupational Programs - veterinary experience

[Tobysgirl81]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I figured, since I see a lot of similar threads going around, I'd post this here. I'm not sure about all states, but for those of you who are looking for opportunities to get vet clinic experience in California your local Regional Occupational Programs are a good start. They offer classes for high school students and adults, and usually offer a "veterinary assistant" program.

This is actually one of the ways while in high school I was able to get my "foot in the door" so to speak at one of the local vet clinics. They will usually place you with a veterinarian in the area to get hands on experience restraining and doing basic technical skills which may even lead to a position with that clinic. Its NOT technician schools, nor will it prepare you to be licensed as a tech but it will prepare you to do basic handling, restraint and medical assisting in a veterinary environment.

I don't remember how much I paid (if anything) because I took the classes while in high school. However, I can't imagine its terribly expensive and it's only a year long program. IMHO, definitely worth the benefits of being able to say "Hey, I went through this program and can be an asset to your clinic and this is why". Just a suggestion, but hopefully it can help someone out there.

 

[VeganSoprano]

I agree. I think with the economy as it is, a lot of people are trying to get any job at all and clinics are pretty well inundated with applicants for whatever openings they have. Most of the ads on Craigslist around here now specifically say "experienced applicants only need apply". A vet assistant course at a community college would definitely be a legitimate way to get basic experience and possibly a foot in the door of a clinic.