# The Complete Guide to Veterinary Technician Programs in Denver, CO - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/the-complete-guide-to-veterinary-technician-programs-in-denver-co/ - Published: 2024-01-27 - Author: Charlene Farwell - Categories: [School](https://33rdsquare.com/category/education/school/) --- Pursuing a career as a veterinary technician allows you to combine a love for animals with the rewarding experience of providing compassionate veterinary care. As more people welcome pets into their families, the demand for qualified vet techs continues to grow rapidly across the country. This makes Denver, known for its thriving pet community, an ideal location to start your vet tech education and establish a career helping animals. This comprehensive guide examines the top veterinary technician programs in the Denver metropolitan area. We discuss the roles and responsibilities of vet techs, the benefits of the career, provide an insider’s look at a day in the life of area vet techs, and profile the region’s leading vet tech programs. Read on to learn everything you need to launch a rewarding vet tech career in Denver! ## What is a Vet Tech and What Do They Do? Veterinary technicians, commonly known as vet techs, are professionals who work closely with veterinarians to provide medical care to animals in clinics, animal hospitals, research facilities, zoos, and shelters. As skilled veterinary healthcare team members, they perform vital roles including: - Obtaining medical histories and collecting lab samples from animals - Administering anesthesia during procedures - Monitoring animals recovering from surgery - Conducting diagnostic tests such as x-rays and ultrasounds - Caring for hospitalized animals and tracking their progress - Educating clients on animal care and medications for pets Vet techs require specialized training to carry out these critical duties. Formal education programs teach essential skills like lab procedures, anesthesia administration, veterinary pharmacology, animal nursing, and more. Coursework also covers animal anatomy, physiology, biology, and clinical pathology. Many vet tech graduates in Denver opt to become certified technicians, a designation that requires passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination. Certification can expand your responsibilities and enhance job prospects. However, Colorado does not mandate licensing or certification to work as a vet tech. ## Vet Tech Degree and Certificate Options There are two main educational paths to becoming a vet tech: **Associate Degree Programs:** Associate degree programs take about two years to complete. They provide comprehensive training through a balance of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience. Coursework includes general education subjects as well as the key veterinary-specific topics mentioned above. **Certificate Programs:** For those seeking a shorter and more affordable option, certificate programs concentrate training on the core vet tech occupational skills. They take roughly one year of full-time coursework to finish. While faster and cheaper, certificate programs tend to offer less hands-on experience compared to associate degrees. When researching schools, it‘s essential to check if a program has accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities. Accreditation verifies that course curriculums meet strict educational standards. Many employers specifically seek out graduates of accredited vet tech programs. ## Why Become a Vet Tech? Exciting Benefits and Opportunities Along with getting to work with animals on a daily basis, pursuing a vet tech career offers many other advantages: **Excellent Job Growth and Salary Potential** The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for vet techs nationwide to surge nearly 20 percent through 2030, much faster than average across all occupations. This stems from factors like rising pet ownership, advances in veterinary services, and an aging population of veterinarians needing assistance. The 2022 median annual salary for vet techs in Colorado exceeds $40,000. **Ability to Specialize** Vet tech training establishes a foundation to advance your skills through specializations like anesthesia, clinical pathology, emergency critical care, dentistry, or surgery. Pursuing a specialty allows you to transform your passion into expertise. **Variety of Work Environments** Vet techs hold roles in diverse settings like private clinics, emergency hospitals, shelters, diagnostic laboratories, zoos, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and animal control departments. You can tailor your career path to environments matching your interests by gaining experience in multiple areas. **Opportunities for Career Progression** Many vet techs advance into supervisory positions or teaching roles later in their careers. Some leverage their expertise to become veterinary assistants, pharmaceutical sales reps, or writers for veterinary publications. Exceptional students also go on to pursue becoming a licensed veterinarian. ## Top 7 Veterinary Technician Programs in Denver The Denver area boasts numerous high-quality options for aspiring veterinary technicians. To rank the top local programs, we used criteria like accreditation status, breadth of educational resources, faculty qualifications, reputation, graduate outcomes, and overall value. Here are seven of the best veterinary technician programs the greater Denver area has to offer: ### 1. Community College of Denver The Community College of Denver offers an AVMA-accredited associate degree in veterinary technology, preparing students to sit for the VTNE exam. Along with classroom education, the program partners with local clinics and hospitals to provide over 400 hours of hands-on clinical experience. Community College of Denver maintains small class sizes, an on-site veterinary teaching hospital, and job placement assistance services. **Program Type:** Associate Degree **Program Length:** 2 years **Cost:** $215 per credit hour for in-state students ### 2. Pima Medical Institute (Colorado Springs Campus) Pima Medical Institute provides a comprehensive associate degree vet tech curriculum at its Colorado Springs campus. The program takes 21 months to complete and incorporates externships at local veterinary clinics, animal shelters, and zoos. Pima’s courses blend online and classroom learning, with high-tech simulations and training models available. Graduates receive assistance with job placement and credential exam preparation. **Program Type:** Associate Degree **Program Length:** 21 months **Cost:** $16,495 total ### 3. Emily Griffith Technical College Students at Emily Griffith Technical College can earn an AVMA-accredited associate degree focused on small animal vet technology. Along with preparatory science courses, the curriculum covers advanced areas like surgical nursing, veterinary radiology, and anesthesia. To gain practical experience, students complete externships at facilities like the Denver Dumb Friends League. Emily Griffith also offers strong student support services. **Program Type:** Associate Degree **Program Length:** 2 years **Cost:** $215 per credit hour for in-state students ### 4. Colorado Academy of Veterinary Technology Situated in beautiful Colorado Springs, CAVT confers an AVMA-accredited associate degree ideal for preparing for VTNE certification. Students get over 600 hours of clinical experience through externships at local veterinary clinics and shelters. CAVT’s 18-month program provides extensive hands-on learning using the school’s on-campus training hospital with a full surgical suite. Class size is limited to under 30 students. **Program Type:** Associate Degree **Program Length:** 18 months **Cost:** $36,995 total ### 5. Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology For over 40 years, Bel-Rea has offered an AVMA-accredited program leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree in veterinary technology. The curriculum provides thorough preparation for sitting the VTNE exam. Small classes of less than 25 students receive abundant one-on-one instruction. Bel-Rea’s partnerships with over 150 animal care facilities give students access to quality clinical training opportunities across the Denver metro region. **Program Type:** Associate Degree **Program Length:** 2 years **Cost:** $32,950 total ### 6. Platt College (Aurora Campus) Platt College confers an AVMA-accredited Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology from its Aurora location. The curriculum balances teaching of core academic fundamentals, technical skills training, and over 600 hours of clinical experience. Platt’s instructors average 15 years of field experience. Graduates report strong VTNE exam pass rates along with a 100% job placement record over the past 5 years. **Program Type:** Associate Degree **Program Length:** 2 years **Cost:** $31,850 total ### 7. Pima Medical Institute (Aurora Campus) At its Aurora campus, Pima Medical Institute offers an AVMA-accredited veterinary technician program culminating in an Associate of Occupational Studies degree. The curriculum incorporates over 600 hours of hands-on labs and clinical externships. Small classes allow for individualized instruction and support. Pima’s online resources, simulation software, and high-tech models prepare students for the modern veterinary environment. **Program Type:** Associate Degree **Program Length:** 21 months **Cost:** $16,495 total ## A Day in the Life of a Denver Vet Tech Wonder what a typical day on the job looks like for a veterinary technician in the Denver area? Here’s an inside glimpse: ### Morning Responsibilities Vet techs generally start their mornings by assisting with exam room prep — making sure supplies like gloves, drapes, and lab tools are adequately stocked. When clients begin arriving with their furry companions, techs obtain thorough patient histories, collect samples like blood or urine for testing, and gather vital baseline measurements such as weight and temperature. As visits wrap up, vet tech duties often include updating pet medical records, calling in prescription refills, and reviewing next steps with owners. ### Typical Afternoon Tasks In the afternoons, much time is devoted to administering vaccines, medications, fluids, and tests ordered by the veterinarian. Vet techs also monitor hospitalized animals and perform various imaging procedures like dental x-rays or ultrasounds. The often fast-paced afternoons also incorporate client communication regarding prescription diets, test outcomes, and at-home care recommendations. ### Favorite and Most Challenging Aspects Vet techs choose their career because of the profound joy and satisfaction that comes from caring for animals. They list bonding with pets and building relationships with owners as absolute favorites. The challenging parts involve coping with grieving clients and sadness when treating chronically ill or injured animals. However, most find the positives far outweigh difficult moments. ## Pursuing Your Vet Tech Passion in Denver With strong employment demand in the booming Denver region, you have ample opportunities to launch a rewarding veterinary technology career. The area’s excellent programs provide the exceptional education and training essential to become a licensed vet tech. As you narrow down your choices, prioritize AVMA-accredited programs that offer robust hands-on learning. This ensures you graduate fully prepared to pass the VTNE exam while also gaining skills to excel in clinical practice. By leveraging the knowledge from one of Denver’s top programs, you’ll embark on an enriching career caring for the pets you love. --- Source: [The Complete Guide to Veterinary Technician Programs in Denver, CO](https://33rdsquare.com/the-complete-guide-to-veterinary-technician-programs-in-denver-co/)