Veterinary Technology

The Veterinary Technology Program (VT) is one of seven allied health career programs at Foothill College in the Health Sciences and Horticulture Division.

• The program is unique in that it is one of only seven such programs in the State of California, and the only accredited A.V.M.A. program serving the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
• The Foothill College Veterinary Technology Program is a two-year Associates Degree program which is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (A.V.M.A--C.V.T.E.A.). The program is an animal facility licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (U.S.D.A.--A.P.H.I.S.).
• Rabies is a fatal diseas with 99% fatality rate. Rabies is endemic in several wildlife species and rarely occurs in domestic animals in California. People are usually exposed to rabies via a bite wound from an infected animal; other routes of exposure are possible but uncommon.  
• All Veterinary Technology students must be fully vaccinated (2 rabies vaccines at least 10 days prior) before they handle any program animals. We encourage all students to reach out to their primary care physician to see if they can obtain rabies vaccines through their physician.

Graduates of the program are eligible for State licensing as a Registered Veterinary Technician (R.V.T.), formerly known in California as an Animal Health Technician (A.H.T.).

We recognize the lack of diversity and the existing inequities within the veterinary field. Our goal is to equip students with the awareness and skills needed to identify these disparities and actively address the challenges associated with them. By fostering an environment of reflection, learning, and advocacy, we aim to support a more inclusive and equitable future for the veterinary profession.

Mission Statement

To empower the future veterinary technician to be a progressive and compassionate member of the veterinary team and community.

Core Values

• The knowledge and skills to provide exemplary care to veterinary patients.
• Compassion for animals, families, team members, and community.
• Dedication to lifelong learning across all disciplines and species.
• Embrace the connections among humans, animals and the environment.
• Encourage and promote diversity.

Total cost of program = approximately $6,000, and includes the following:

• Tuition, based on state resident at 92 units of Vet Tech courses: $2,852
• Fee: approx $400
• Scrub: approx $60
• Stethoscope: approx $100
• Books: approx $1,160
• VTNE exam: $325
• Fees associated with exam: $100
• Rabies Vaccines: $1200

Note: Does not include state licensing fees, which may change. The current cost is $700 for initial license. For up-to-date information, see the California Veterinary Medical Board website.

• Provide approved coursework leading to a meaningful Associate in Science Degree.
• Graduates will meet the minimum eligibility requirements for the California Veterinary Technician Licensing Examination and will be equipped to earn a passing score and become Registered Veterinary Technicians.
• Maintain high standards for knowledge and performance, provide rigorous academic and practical training in veterinary technology, and produce graduate technicians with superior qualifications.
• Instill in the students a strong sense of professionalism and demonstrate the value of personal accountability and integrity and a solid work ethic.
• Provide the necessary knowledge, skill and ability.to enable immediate employability of graduates at an entry level in clinical practice, the biomedical industry, and other areas where veterinary technicians are in demand. Specifically, to meet the locally high demand for well-trained, highly skilled registered veterinary technicians.

• Offer high quality course work readily transferable to a four-year institution for those students desiring upper division study, an advanced degree, or specialization within the field.
• Provide the student with the tools of learning and a solid, fundamental education that prepares them to be productive employees at an entry level, capable of adapting to a diverse job market as they enter practice, and equipped to take maximum advantage of post-graduate learning opportunities.
• Encourage within the AS Degree program, the opportunity to acquire educational skills and practice arts enabling personal growth and empowerment such that the graduates may make significant contributions to their communities and develop an attitude of life-long learning.
• Promote the profession of Veterinary Technology to the veterinary profession; fostering self-esteem in the graduate, providing leadership and innovation in education, and participation in policy-making at the local, state and national levels.
• Provide continuing education to the practicing Registered Veterinary Technician and unregistered assistant creating an environment that encourages professional growth and occupational advancement.

Before a student graduates from the program, they must satisfy minimum competencies in both clinical and didactic education and posess the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform their job at a level expected of a licensed professional.

• The minimum requirements to insure competency are set forth in a document known as the Essential Tasks for Veterinary Technicians compiled by the A.V.M.A.--C.V.T.E.A.
• This document is the basis for the structure of the two year curriculum and it is required that the student fulfill the requirements through classroom and laboratory instruction and clinical experience in order to successfully complete the training program.
• The minimum parameters to assure competency in didactic instruction are established by the requirement that each student must pass all VT Core Courses and Required Sciences Courses with a grade of "C" or better and maintain an overall 2.0 grade point average in their college level coursework.
• Clinical competency is assured by a series of evaluations by clinical internship supervisors and evaluation by the faculty of the studentâs performance in the Veterinary Technology Laboratory.

Professional Organizations

• American Veterinary Medical Association(AVMA)
• California Registered Veterinary Technician Association (CARVTA)
• California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA Net)
• North American Veterinary Technician Association (NAVTA)