We're glad you asked!  Veterinary technicians and technologists are an important part of the animal care team.  The career offers a wide range of professional opportunities with many different animal species.  We've created a "Why Vet Tech" overview page to give you an idea of what to expect from the career.

No.

If you are interested in becoming a veterinarian, we recommend following the Pre-Vet Animal Science degree plan.  Becoming a veterinary technician/technologist is not a stepping stone on the path to becoming a veterinarian.  Although in the same field of medicine, each of those careers has different training and responsibilities in a hospital setting.  The Veterinary Technology Program degree plan will not fulfill the requirements for admission to a college of veterinary medicine.  Our goal is to educate career-minded veterinary technologists.  If your intent is to pursue a career as a veterinarian, you could be taking away an opportunity from another student that does wish to pursue a career as a veterinary technologist.

No.

There is a partnership between Texas A&M University System members, Texas A&M University - Kingsville included, which guarantees admission of 5 individuals from each partner into the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine each year.  If students are interested in pursuing this route, we recommend following the Pre-Vet Animal Science degree plan through the Department of Animal Science and Veterinary Technology.

Visit the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine website to learn more about the Texas A&M University System Partner MOAS.

We strive to introduce our students to as many animal species as we can.  Veterinary Technology Program coursework puts students into contact with:

• dogs
• cats
• horses
• cattle
• pigs
• sheep
• goats
• rats
• mice
• rabbits
• reptiles (turtles, tortoises, snakes, lizards)
• birds (poultry and other common species)

Students have additional opportunities to interact with wildlife through collaboration with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute.

Yes.

There are additional steps to be taken after graduation in order to become a credentialed veterinary technologist through certification, registration, or licensure.  Each U.S. state has its own requirements. 

The first step is taking, and passing, the Veterinary Technician National Examination.  The VTNE tests a graduate's veterinary knowledge and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions which must be answered in a 3-hour timeframe.  The graduate is responsible for the $330 USD examination application fee.  Examinations are scheduled and administered through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).

Some states also require a jurisprudence examination to test a graduate's understanding of the local veterinary practice laws.  This examination is separate from the VTNE.  The AAVSB can help you find credential application requirements for your state.

No.

The TAMUK Veterinary Technology Program supports local veterinarians and their service to the community.  If your pet needs medical care, please schedule an appointment with a local veterinarian.

No.

If your pet has been injured, please contact your local veterinarian.  If a stray animal has been injured, please contact Kingsville Health Department Animal Control Division.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) cautions members of the public against handling and/or transporting wildlife.  It is illegal in the state of Texas to collect, possess, or care for wildlife without the proper education and permit(s).  Do not touch, move, transport, or provide food to the animal.  While many individuals have good intentions and just want to help, the efforts may cause more harm than good for the animal.

If you are unsure if the animal you have found is orphaned, refer to the TPWD Orphaned and Injured Animals page for guidance.

If it has been determined that the animal is an orphan, please contact a permitted Texas wildlife rehabilitator.  The TPWD website details how to contact wildlife rehabilitators in Texas.  A list of permitted wildlife rehabilitators by county is also available.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) cautions members of the public against handling and/or transporting wildlife.  It is illegal in the state of Texas to collect, possess, or care for wildlife without the proper education and permit(s).  Do not touch, move, transport, or provide food to the animal.  While many individuals have good intentions and just want to help, the efforts may cause more harm than good for the animal.

If you believe you have located an injured wild animal, observe from a distance to confirm the animal is in need of assistance.  Then, please contact a permitted Texas wildlife rehabilitator.  The TPWD website details how to contact wildlife rehabilitators in Texas.  A list of permitted wildlife rehabilitators by county is also available.

A member of the public cannot, without the proper permit, care for wildlife even temporarily.  The permitted wildlife rehabilitator will provide instructions regarding the transfer of the animal into their care.

Yes.

Per the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) Accreditation Policies and Procedures, "Adequate numbers of common domestic and laboratory animal species are required to provide the necessary quantity and quality of clinical instruction to meet curriculum requirements without overuse of the animals or violation of AWA requirements for humane use and care."

The Texas A&M University - Kingsville Veterinary Technology Program is committed to the humane and ethical treatment of all animals used in teaching and complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, polices and guidelines.

Texas A&M University - Kingsville Veterinary Technology Program is committed to maintaining high standards for the care and use of animals in its teaching program.

Teachers, staff, and students accept responsibility for determining that teaching involving the use of animals fulfill these principles, policies, and regulations. To assure compliance:

• Approval of AUPs - All vertebrate animals must be covered by an animal use protocol (AUP) approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) prior to acquisition and/or use of animals and throughout the entire period of animal use or maintenance.

• Training of Personnel - Personnel working with animals must be qualified by training and/or experience to perform their animal responsibilities.

• Occupational Health - Personnel who work with animals or are at risk from animal exposure must be enrolled in an Occupational Health Program and informed of the risks associated with the animal exposure.

• Evaluations - All housing locations are inspected semiannually. The institutional program of animal care and use is reviewed by the IACUC semiannually. Unannounced inspections and observations of animal quarters and/or teaching procedures may be performed by the institutional attending veterinarian, or designee, or by the IACUC.

• Animal Welfare Obligation - All individuals participating in animal care and use activities must assure animal well-being for all animals engaged in such activities. If an unanticipated problem/adverse event occurs, then the individual having knowledge of the event must report it to the Principal Investigator and to the IACUC. It is the responsibility of the PI to ensure that all events are promptly and appropriately reported.

More information regarding animal use can be found on the Office of Research & Graduate Studies webpages.

The TAMUK Veterinary Technology Program has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Kingsville Health Department Animal Control Division.  Each semester, the Program brings in dogs and cats in-need from the city Animal Control Center.  At the end of each semester, these animals are adopted out to the public through the city Animal Control Center or claimed by rescue organizations for placement into homes.

For more information about the City of Kingsville Health Department Animal Control Center, please visit their website.

No.

The TAMUK Veterinary Technology Program animal use protocol (AUP) does not contain experimental procedures.  Animals entering the program, unless found medically unfit, receive the following care:

• Physical examination
• Vaccination, as prescribed in the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Vaccination Guidelines
• Blood, urine, and fecal lab tests
• Treatment for internal and external parasites
• Placement on a monthly parasite prevention program
• Comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment
• Spay or neuter surgery

Additional medical care and diagnostics are provided by licensed veterinarians as needed.  All procedures comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, polices and guidelines.  Students in the Program assist with evaluations, diagnostic procedures, and administration of medications.  Per the Texas Veterinary Act, only licensed veterinarians may perform surgical procedures.

If you have questions regarding our animal use in teaching, please contact the Office of Research & Graduate Studies.