Penn Foster program partnership with VHC provides opportunities for veterinary technicians

Angel Woods is the first veterinary technician to complete the Penn Foster program through the VHC partnership.

The Penn Foster Veterinary Technician degree program is offered to veterinary assistants employed at the Veterinary Health Center to help them gain the education and experience needed to become registered veterinary technicians.

“I learned about the program when the partnership was first made,” Angel Woods said. “It allows veterinary assistants to pursue the furthering education, and I was grateful for the opportunity as I was eager to advance in my career.”

Penn Foster offers flexibility to work full time and earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. It is a self-paced program that requires dedication to independent learning and staying on track with program completion. The two hands-on clinical externships must be completed and passed after the second and fourth semesters. This provides students with an array of skills that must be mastered, documented through written projects or videos, submitted to their mentor supervisor, and finally graded and passed by a Penn Foster evaluator.

“There was not a requirement in regard to the clinical experience,” Woods said. “I am, however, thankful that I had the prior experience, as it has helped me throughout the program tremendously.”

Completing the program with an Associate of Science in Veterinary Technology degree now qualifies Woods to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) to be credentialed.

“I get to be the animal's advocate and ensure that they are treated to the best of my abilities,” Woods said. “It is extremely rewarding working with animals that may be more difficult to handle and winning them over and earning their trust.”

“By having Angel complete a college degree program and becoming a credentialed veterinary technician, she has gained a wealth of knowledge and growth in her career,” Christine Hackworth, the small animal medicine veterinary nurse supervisor at the Veterinary Health Center said. “Veterinary technicians are here to assist the veterinarian with the more technical and routine tasks so that they can focus on developing the specific care plan and carrying out any procedures.”

Several registered veterinary technicians currently employed at the Veterinary Health Center have completed the Penn Foster program, though Woods is the first to complete the program through the partnership with the VHC. These employees also serve as mentors to current Penn Foster students in the program.