Animal technologists assist veterinarians

Technician a perfect career for those who love caring for animals

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Many people love animals and that is why many households have domesticated pets. Sometimes these animals develop a sickness or injury which requires a visit to the veterinarian where appropriate treatment is then given.

Just as a doctor has a team of nurses and specialists working with him or her, likewise a veterinarian has a group of animal health technologists or veterinarian technicians that he or she has under their direction. In other words, an animal health technologists assists in meeting the health care needs of animals. They usually work with veterinarians in private practice.

Being an "animal nurse", an AHT has many similar duties as a human nurse. AHT's listen for instructions from the veterinarian and find themselves doing a variety of duties, from clerical activities to research in a lab.

Upon admittance to an animal hospital or clinic, the patient has to be identified and the nature of the problem diagnosed. While the vet is doing an examination the patient sometimes has to be restrained or sedated - this would be the duty of the AHT. A vet might suggest a regime of medication or the inoculation of vaccines which the AHT is trained to administer.

If surgery is necessary the AHT will assist the vet by preparing the surgical equipment and by administering and monitoring any anesthetic. As can be seen, the

AHT has many important duties and is a key individual in the treatment of animals.

Other duties one will find the AHT doing include performing X rays and other lab tests to assist in the diagnosis of animal health problems. Conducting and assisting in lab research. The technicians also counsel clients on animal health-care, clean kennels, animal holding areas and examination rooms, and perform office and clerical duties such as reception, accounting, inventory and report writing.

AHTs don't work just as veterinarian assistants but are also employed as lab and diagnostic technicians, meat, dairy and poultry inspectors, zoo attendants, representative of pharmaceutical companies, and animal health technicians. Animal health technology is a very diverse field of study and one will find the AHT employed at university laboratories, meat packing plants, feed lots, dairy plants, zoos, wildlife pars, kennels and animal shelters.

To become an AHT one must attend a two-year program accredited by the Canadian Veterinarian Medical Association. In Alberta, programs are offered at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Fairview College, Lakeland College, and Olds College.

A future AHT should prepare in high school by receiving a 65 per cent average in English 30/33, Math 20/30/33, Chemistry 30, and Biology 30.

According to 1992 figures the AHT earns anywhere between $11,500-$18,000 per year. The average income for this profession is approximately $15,500 per year.

There are certain occupational hazards involved in working with animals. Working in animal health technology may result in contact with potentially dangerous animals., occasion exposure to diseases which may be transmissible to human beings and having to work around strong, unpleasant odors are some of the risks of this career.

However, people who love animal may find this profession very rewarding. For further information contact: President, Alberta Association of Animal Health Technologists, #100, 8615 - 149 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5R 1B3.