Strengthening the Veterinary Workforce by Expanding Educational Access

Veterinary technicians are essential to the veterinary profession, taking on crucial responsibilities such as assisting in surgeries, performing diagnostic tests, and providing emergency care. To meet the growing demand for animal care and address the evolving needs of the veterinary community, the Zoetis Foundation is committed to helping expand educational opportunities for aspiring veterinary technicians.

Established through grant support to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), the Zoetis Foundation/AVMF Veterinary Technician Student Scholarship aims to empower the next generation of veterinary technicians. Now in its third year of funding, this grant provides scholarships of $2,000 each to 150+ veterinary technician students. The scholarship helps address the issue of student debt and aims to foster greater diversity in the profession.

As we celebrate National Veterinary Technician Week, the Zoetis Foundation spoke with past scholarship recipients who shared insights into their educational journeys and career paths. 

“I became a veterinary technician because I love animals and it truly heals my soul to be able to take care of them. Through my education, I’ve learned a lot of skills that I’ve not only been able to use at work, but I’ve been able to bring to the low-cost veterinary facility I volunteer at, thus helping change veterinary care for those that can’t afford it,” said Crystal Stinson, who works at a veterinary clinic in Kentucky that specializes in small dogs, and volunteers as a surgical tech and trainer at their local low-cost facility. Crystal is planning to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam this fall.

"The most significant insight I gained from my education is the foundational ‘why’ behind our role as veterinary technicians. While my experience as an assistant provided me with essential technical skills, my formal education deepened my understanding of the scientific principles underlying treatment, diagnostics, and medication administration for our patients,” said Emily Vega, a Registered Veterinary Technician at Antioch Dog & Cat Hospital in Missouri. “My goal is to empower non-English speaking pet owners by fostering a welcoming atmosphere that encourages them to seek the veterinary care their pets need and deserve.”

“Every animal that walks into the clinic deserves to get the best treatment. I always strive to make each visit a comfortable and safe experience for each pet, whether that be placing calming scents in the room, adding a blanket to the exam table, offering treats to a nervous pet, or offering soothing words and pets,” said Katie Chapman, who is a veterinary technician at Noah’s Ark Animal Clinic in Ohio. “One of the things that has stuck with me from school is to always be willing to learn new things. This field is constantly growing and evolving.” 

The Zoetis Foundation is proud to help expand access to veterinary technician training through grant support that offsets educational expenses. Learn more about the latest cohort of scholarship recipients here.