#iowa equine

[hit-the-dirt-and-get-back-on]

Does anybody wanna buy me or help me buy a new pair of boots? I have holes in the soles of mine. I'd be forever grateful. 😅

I'm joking, btw.

[mbrainspaz]

Hey if you're traveling can I like... go with you?

I know I'm visiting that weird north texas equine tiger king place next weekend but that's just a wacky job interview. I wanna go on a real trip again. It's been too long since I traveled anywhere. 2019. That was the last time I did a trip. Grand canyon road trip & NOLA & the liminal hotel in Austin. 2018, Taos ski trip & Iowa family reunion. 2017, Spain backpacking. 2016, San Fransisco. But don't ask me to leave the country right now because I still have to get my name changed so I can update my passport.

[oldschoolsciencefiction]

Rest in peace to Cloris Leachman. Old School Sci Fi fans will remember her portrayal of Mrs. Fremont in the 1961 Twilight Zone episode “It’s a Good Life” as well as the equine-alarming Frau Blücher in “Young Frankenstein”.

The Des Moines, Iowa-born actress and comedian was 94 years old.

[ilovelaica]

Pieter Kenis & Byzance Mail.

Medium Tour II

CSI*** Spangenberg 2019

(c) by me

[carnegiemuseumnaturalhistory]

Nameless Writing

Names create a dilemma for museum educators. During some guided tours, when students are provided with the name of a creature, their observations of the animal’s physical characteristics abruptly end.

As a remedy to this situation, some teachers challenge their students to fill a notecard, page, or computer screen with words describing, but never naming, the subject under study.

At Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the dioramas within the Hall of North American Wildlife and Hall of African Wildlife are particularly well-suited for such exercises.

With practice, effort, and encouragement, student generated works can become much more than disconnected lists of adjectives. Consider, by way of a polished professional, and completely subjective example, writer Trudy Dittmar’s description of the head of a creature whose iconic whole-body outline is embedded in the minds of many people from glimpsed silhouettes on moose crossing signs along north woods highways:

The nose end of his face looks too big for the rest of it – his face is nose-heavy, wide and huge-nostrilled, finished off below with pendulous upper lip – and against the bigness of the nose end of the face, the smallness of his eyes way up back off the muzzle is unsettling. He looks disproportioned and ungainly, a ragtag mix of a lot of things, none of them fully realized – the head an early attempt at something equine;

From: “The Moose,” in Fauna and Flora, Earth and Sky, by Trudy Dittmar, University of Iowa Press 2003

Patrick McShea works in the Education and Visitor Experience department of Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Museum employees are encouraged to blog about their unique experiences and knowledge gained from working at the museum.

[elizjjwold]

Buddies by Elizabeth Johnson-Wold

[thescienceofequus]

TheHorse.com | 3 April, 2019

There’s no cure for equine osteoarthritis (OA), which is one of the most common causes of lameness in horses, so veterinarians must manage associated pain and clinical signs. Management can be challenging, but one researcher recently determined that a new synthetic joint lubricant has promise as a treatment approach

Scott McClure, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, ACVSMR, owner of Midwest Equine Surgery & Sports Medicine, in Boone, Iowa, and colleagues recently evaluated the polyacrylamide hydrogel product in two studies, and he presented their results at the 2018 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in San Francisco, California.

Polyacrylamide hydrogel is a nondegradable synthetic viscous gel that has been shown to decrease knee OA symptoms in human patients. There’s less research in horses, so McClure and team set out to evaluate the 4% polyacrylamide hydrogel (available in the U.S. as Noltrex Vet, he said). In one study they evaluated the gel’s clinical, histologic (tissue structure), and metabolic effects in six healthy horses’ fetlock joints. They evaluated synovial fluid seven, 28, and 56 days following intra-articular (IA, in the joint) gel injection and analyzed cartilage and synovial membrane samples under a microscope.

McClure said the polyacrylamide was visible on the synovial membrane (joint capsule lining) seven days post-administration, and it was present between cells of the synovial membrane at Days 28 and 56. Further, they found no adverse effects following IA administration.

Then, they investigated the gel’s impact on 28 horses diagnosed with naturally occurring OA in a field trial. They administered IA polyacrylamide hydrogel and evaluated horses 45 and 90 days post-injection. McClure said they defined treatment success as lameness improvement by at least one grade or reduced pain scores, improved range of motion, and reduced joint swelling.

They found that:

Average lameness scores decreased significantly, from 2.34 to 0.87;

23 horses (82%) showed improvement based on the study criteria at Day 45 post-injection;

21 horses (75%) still met the criteria for improvement at Day 90; and

None of the 43 injections administered (eight horses had two injections) were accompanied by adverse effects.

The team concluded that the IA polyacrylamide hydrogel decreased lameness long-term in horses with naturally occurring OA.

“This is an exciting new therapy for managing horses with OA,” McClure said. “It adds another viable treatment to the veterinarian’s options. We will continue to learn more about this treatment and how to improve the horse’s soundness as we proceed.”

[iowaarchaeology]

This Clovis point from Woodbury County is quite an interesting source of information about Iowa about 10,000 years ago! Made of Knife River Flint, this point was found by an Iowa Department of Natural Resources employee on an equine trail in the Loess Hills in the 1990s. It has an encrustation of calcium carbonate resulting from a long period of burial in the Loess Hills. The point was analyzed for both (blood) protein residue and trapped pollen or phytoliths by PaleoResearch Institute around 1999. They found a positive result for deer antiserum, which suggests that the point was used to hunt a cervid such as deer or elk. The phytolith record suggested relatively hot, dry summers and a sufficient growing season in the sprint and fall to support a population of cool season grasses. Evidence of pines and weedy plants were also found.

[hit-the-dirt-and-get-back-on]

Got outside today. First time this year. She did fairly well. Spooked at a friends dogs that came up out of the timber. It was slick. But a good ride.

[colemanaarohan1996]

insurance coverage lapse

BEST ANSWER: Try this site where you can compare quotes from different companies :cheapinsurecar.xyz

insurance coverage lapse

insurance coverage lapse. Lapse in your auto insurance coverage. Renew, change, or cancel. A bonus of an additional term or period of coverage, depending. These rates were obtained using the following profile: a 44-year-old male with a preferred plus health rating. He had no moving violations, accidents, claims, or lapse in coverage. Auto & home insurance policies. In all cases, a paperless discount, e-signature discount and electronic funds transfer discount were automatically applied. These are rates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different. For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect minimum required coverage by law in the state. We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor” as reported to the insurer to see rates for drivers with poor credit. For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash costing $10,000 in. insurance coverage lapse. If you’re over 65, you cannot cancel an auto insurance policy. The California Department of Insurance warns drivers if they drive without car insurance coverage. If you’re caught driving without insurance in California, the penalties are severe: A first offense carries a $250 fine and the suspension of your license and registration for 60 days. You’ll have to pay a fine of up to $800 for a second offense and a third offense within 3 years. You’ll have to pay an additional fine of $3,000 for a second offense. Your vehicle may also be impounded, and you’ll have to pay $10,000 in property damage repair fees to get your license and registration back. You must also file an SR-22 for three years and the suspension of your license and registration is each $750. When you’re at fault for an accident, you’re considered a high-risk driver, which results in higher insurance. insurance coverage lapse and other problems could not only delay your claim settlement and reduce your payment schedule to date, but could also result in a higher premium. While you may feel that your credit report is in danger of becoming a victim of some form of credit fraud, there are many ways to recover your lost claim. Here s how . The most significant factor that can determine if you qualify for the . The list of all your insurance companies and  can greatly help, but before they can issue you a.

How to avoid a life insurance policy lapse

How to avoid a life insurance policy lapse? After with an 18-year-old male with an at-fault life insurance policy lapse, you may be able to cut your life insurance rates, according to an insurance industry analyst. You can do that with: This is why it’s so important to compare life insurance carriers side by side. To do that, you may need to shop around and . There are no companies that give you free quotes on all of the carriers out there. So whether or not you’ll be stuck sticking with the same insurer for the next 30 years, compare quotes online, then get quotes from each carrier. For someone in their 50s with a decent financial standing, you are paying a monthly premium of roughly $125. As well as for young adults, as a policy. If you can afford it, shop around and compare quotes from companies. No one insurer offers prices you can afford, and it can be hard to find all of the top companies that will give you the most.

Will Car Insurance Rates Increase After A Lapse In Coverage?

Will Car Insurance Rates Increase After A Lapse In Coverage? Although the percentage of uninsured drivers has stayed constant since 2014, there are a few signs that have changed. In addition, insurers are shifting their risk factors from drivers that are legally uninsured to drivers that are uninsured. For instance, the average cost of car insurance in New Hampshire for 2019 is $4,769, which is an increase of $1,890 in just under three years. The average price in Iowa for 2019 is $3,934, which is an increase of 5 percent! In the state of Iowa, drivers are still classified as “” under the new system. This means that in general, auto insurance companies have been required to cover this driver category when it comes to car insurance. This means that even when an insurance company takes advantage of this driver category, the insured driver category remains unchanged on the policy. This means that if an insured driver is involved in an accident in Iowa with a vehicle under their car insurance policy, the will.

Get Free Life Insurance Quotes

Get Free Life Insurance Quotes Save big! I only drive to and from work everyday and have been in my husband s car for 2 years. I was a passenger in his bus I have no insurance, he has my phone, a policy. Our company pays the entire amount that he is legally responsible for and i have no need for him. If anyone out of state insurance, have no. I want him to be insured. My company pays for everything so that I have nothing and I have no time to waste on nothing. How will someone ever know or possibly get him their full insurance, no matter what policy he has. i have no insurance in Michigan to take out any kind of policy since i am not licensed. Anyone with an auto insurance policy in Florida will be required to show proof of insurance and show an insurance card issued by their insurance company. The DMV does not allow them to search your insurance card. As a Florida driver in a short period of.

Do’s And Don’ts Of Auto Insurance

Do’s And Don’ts Of Auto Insurance Coverage If you’re interested in buying car insurance, your best bet is to use these 8 basic ways to save on your auto policy without any insurance at all: Using Low Rates on Your Auto Insurance Policy by Phone and Being An Active Driver Insuring Your 3-4 Vehicle - Get Cheap Car Insurance by Telephone Auto Insurance Rates in your city may also look to include: - New Hampshire, - New York, and - . - California and Washington D.C. - California and Washington, D.C. - Georgia and Indiana. - Utah, - California and Washington D.C. - Missouri and Missouri D.C. - Texas, Ohio, and Illinois - Indiana and Florida. - California and Massachusetts. - Florida and Tennessee. - Georgia and Florida. - Rhode Island - Connecticut (NYC), and Washington D.C. - - California and Louisiana.

What does a life insurance policy lapse mean?

What does a life insurance policy lapse mean? There is a standard “expiration fee” on any life insurance policy, as well. When you purchase a universal life insurance policy, for instance, coverage will remain in force since the date of a policy lapse, at the latest. That this “expiration” is no longer valid. Therefore, the term of your policy is no longer the same, and you still will need to pay for the policy in full. For example, let’s say you bought a $100,000 policy on your mother in 2014 when you purchase a policy for her at age 32, and have your term life insurance policy renew for three years. Now it’s your 22 years later, and you still need the $100,000 life insurance policy to protect your little sister (who has 5 kids already). It’s important to understand this as differentiating a permanent life insurance policy from term life insurance. This type of life insurance is designed for very specific circumstances that may.

Our Recommendations For Cheap Car Insurance

Our Recommendations For Cheap Car Insurance The best and cheapest car insurance companies are the ones that they are based on the most accurate and most transparent information given. These two factors alone will give you an idea of the actual price quote they offer you. In any case, in terms of cost, this is how the car insurance industry is divided and some additional tips might be more advantageous. The best way to find the best car insurance company is to look for the best prices as far as rates go. However, if you do get the best car insurance quote, you’re not the best car insurance company. If your quote is so good that you are not sure if it is even possible to find another insurer, you have to get a lot of quotes, compare at least five quotes, and find out as low as possible. The best way to find your best car insurance should be to compare car insurance quotes from different companies. That way you can save quite a bit on your car insurance! While we can’t always offer.

More On Insurance:

More On Insurance: Good drivers paid $1238 per year in 2018 for auto insurance, according to the latest data from FEHRA. However, most high-risk drivers received fewer than a dozen automobile insurance quotes online. Insurance rates are dependent on a number of factors including your driving history, your age, your marital status, your location, and even ZIP code.  Because rates are affected by so many factors, there’s no one insurance policy that works best for everyone. You’ll have to compare quotes among other insurance providers to find out which one will offer you the lowest rates. It’s best to shop around after reading these things. As long as you have a backup plan in mind, the best thing for you and your family is having fun on the road. Browse, compare, and secure car insurance with Equine. Most companies will give you a discount for bundling other insurance policies with them as well. It doesn’t mean that you never need to switch.

Can you reinstate a lapsed life insurance policy?

Can you reinstate a lapsed life insurance policy? A  will most likely not give you the option to reinstate it, and will most likely be a harder concept to understand. If you’re not sure what kind of reinstatement program will work best for you because you have a limited number of options, it’s a good idea to consider getting a more permanent policy. You can find additional savings through an as an added savings driver, and a will often include the cost of the life insurance. Here is an important note about life insurance. While many people choose term insurance because it’s the least expensive, the cost of this type of policy is relatively low. You pay for the coverage, and while a few years pass on, you get back the money you made your whole life insurance policy. When you are in your early 20’s (or even early 30s), it can be quite an adjustment to be considered permanent insurance since you have the option of a cash component. The problem is that.

Are you ready to cross car insurance off of your list of things to do today?

Are you ready to cross car insurance off of your list of things to do today? Car insurance companies know that you may have a higher premium than you think. While this may seem like it to be a good idea, it will only result in a higher premium, as the insurer will still pay out if your vehicle is damaged in an accident. Let’s examine some specific aspects of car insurance that can impact your car insurance rate. As with any insurance, car insurance will affect your auto insurance rate depending upon the vehicle you get it from, the car it comes from and what features are at the dealership. Below is a breakdown of the most common car insurance companies. If you have a sports car, you’ll probably pay for the coverage. If you have other vehicles like a collectible car, classic or exotic car, these are acceptable coverages. They might also have some discounts that are similar to the . These discounts differ from the major coverages available to drivers in other states. While some companies are starting to offer coverages that are similar to coverages from.

[rjptalk]

Compared to most places in the Commonwealth, this is a very modestly priced place to live. That’s how come we wound up here. We could afford a house and some land, too for less than a tiny condo cost anywhere in Boston. I wanted to be out in the country. I grew up in a woods with birds and huge tree, with the shadows of branches overhead. If you want a house in a pleasant, quiet area and a nice piece of land with it, this is a pretty good place to look. New houses have a 2-acre minimum lot size and many — most — people have a lot more land than that. I have learned to say “We have only 2-1/2 acres,” because so many people have a huge amounts more.

The acrobatic squirrel

I wanted to be out in the country. I grew up in a woods with birds and huge tree, with the shadows of branches overhead. If you want a house in a pleasant, quiet area and a nice piece of land with it, this is a pretty good place to look. New houses have a 2-acre minimum lot size and many — most — people have a lot more land than that. I have learned to say “We have only 2-1/2 acres,” because so many people have a huge amounts more.

Of course, unless you are farming or breeding horses, the rest of the land is woods. We have a lot of horse breeders, trainers, equine learning centers as well as a lot of places that breed the really huge horses — Percherons, Belgians, and Clydesdale — we are mostly woods. There’s still some farming. Apple orchards do very well in New England and will still get tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and a bit of corn. Not as much as we used to get because the farmers are giving up, either moving to better land in Iowa and Indiana where the ground is fertile and flat and not so full of rocks.

Or they are retiring. Like so many other family businesses, they sent their kids to college. Which meant the end of farming. I’m sure they knew it when they sent the kids off and I wasn’t surprised. Farming in New England is hard. Still, I miss the farms, the chickens, the fresh milk, and eggs.

On the up side, because we are so wooded we have birds, deer, foxes, coyotes, fishers (weasels), bobcats and a hint that black bears are waiting in the wings. I’m hoping we don’t get bears because then I won’t be able to feed the birds. Bears love seeds. For that matter, they adore trash. The price of ONE bear-proof trash bin would cost more than trash collection costs us for two years — and none of the bins are REALLY bear-proof if the bear has the enthusiasm to keep trying until the bin collapses. Bears can do a lot of destruction without even breaking the bear-equivalent of a sweat. Hungry bears prowling the woods looking for food could be genuinely dangerous, especially since we’ve never had to deal with anything quite that big. I’m pretty sure a bear on our deck would finish it off for good and all.

LIVING IN THE WILDS OF MASSACHUSETTS Compared to most places in the Commonwealth, this is a very modestly priced place to live. That's how come we wound up here.

[jasonmdx]

Iowa Gardening: Women Managing Horses Course to Help Female Equine Owners

Women Managing Horses Course to Help Female Equine Owners #IowaGardening yardstead.com/news/iowa-gardening/…

https://yardstead.com/news/iowa-gardening/30190-women-managing-horses-course-to-help-female-equine-owners

[plusorminuscongress]

Picture This: No Need to Hold these Horses: Announcing New Free to Use and Reuse Set https://ift.tt/2TaBmPD by Kristi Finefield

In the Library’s latest Free to Use and Reuse set of images drawn from the collections, the focus is on the horse, and all the myriad ways these noble animals have been part of our lives, including sports, recreation, agriculture, transportation, and so on.

I spotted one image that for me, and maybe for many people, reflects my first experience “riding a horse” – a spin on the back of a colorful carousel horse:

A carousel ride, often fondly called a “merry-go-round,” at the annual Iowa State Fair in the capital city of Des Moines. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, 2016 Aug 11. https://ift.tt/2Z8zpae

Another photo reminded me of the first time I ever sat atop a real horse as a young girl, and couldn’t get over how high up I was, and how I enjoyed the chance to view the world from a totally new perspective:

Thomas W. Beede, resettlement client, Western Slope Farms, Colorado gives his youngest daughter a ride. Photo by Arthur Rothstein, 1939 Oct. https://ift.tt/2TaBr5T

You can almost see the youngest daughter of Thomas Beede imagining what it would be like to take this horse for a ride across the farm, but my guess is this working horse has no interest in a leisure stroll.

Do these photos or others in the set trigger a memory for you? Browse a selection below and check out the entire set for an equine adventure.

Horses. Leaping a 3 ft. 6 hurdle. Photo by Eadweard Muybridge, 1881. https://ift.tt/3cClahF

Ringling Bros. Galaxy of Champion Riders. Poster (lithograph) copyrighted by Courier Litho. Co., 1899. https://ift.tt/2T89yv7

Montauk Point, Rough Riders, Col. Roosevelt. Photo (cyanotype) by Frances Benjamin Johnston, 1898. https://ift.tt/3cBiReP

Shepherd with his horse and dog on Gravelly Range, Madison County, Montana. Photo by Russell Lee, 1942 Aug. https://ift.tt/3fRytgn

[Inez Milholland Boissevain, wearing white cape, seated on white horse at the National American Woman Suffrage Association parade, March 3, 1913, Washington, D.C.] Photo from George Grantham Bain Collection, 1913 March 3. https://ift.tt/3byP3OH

The horse wrangler / Erwin E. Smith, Bonham, Texas. Photo by Erwin E. Smith, copyrighted 1910 June 24. https://ift.tt/3dSAOpl

Union engine no. 3 – York, Pa., fire department. Photo copyrighted 1911. https://ift.tt/3czROkh

Learn More:

Explore the entire set of Free to Use and Reuse: Horses, as well as additional sets of images from the Library of Congress.

Revisit Picture This entries including compelling images of horses from the Prints and Photographs Division’s collections:

Eadweard Muybridge: Birth of a Photographic Pioneer

Step Right Up! Circus Posters for your Viewing Pleasure

Caught Our Eyes: Jumping to Connections, not to Conclusions

Work Horses: Pulling their Weight

[brittenydonneyphotography]

Back to and Iowa spring when the run so hard the toss dirt up on their nose! #arabians #horses #fbf #horsemagazine #iowaspring #norcalphotographer #renophotographer #beautiful #thoseeyes #letthemrun #farmlife #ranchlife #equine #equinephotography #equinephotographer #horsesofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B4nYqK0noc5/?igshid=dwmztb4gw4kw

[wildlyhardphilosopher-blog]

Dog Training Tools | We're Revealing the Secret

New Post has been published on https://dogtraining.dknol.com/english/dog-training-tools-were-revealing-the-secret/?utm_source=Tumblr&utm_medium=Tumblr+%230+Freda+K+Pless&utm_campaign=SNAP%2Bfrom%2BBest+Dog+Training

Dog Training Tools | We're Revealing the Secret

Cupcake Day To check the availability of Urban Ultimate Recall course in Carindale (available in Carindale only) please click here. To enrol… read more Pages liked by this Page Harnesses Dog Training Establishments Lindsay, Steven R. (2000). Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Vol 1, Adaptation and Learning, Iowa State Press Say “Leave it,” place the less attractive treat on the floor, and cover it with your hand. Pet type(s):  I think it’s a great idea that students get to train dogs to look after people.Those dogs were so adorable I wish I could train one.This is a great topic,it was really interesting.! Events amp Corporate Youth and Community programs Trainer Profile – Chris Sealy (VET in Schools) Posted 18 August 2017 ^ Jump up to: a b Millan 2010, p. 87. What Do Group Classes Include? Austins Dog Training Education Two of our Melbourne team Anna and Brett were on set today! Shooting a segment on Pawsitive Solutions TV show. Well keep you updated as to when this will air for you guys to check it out. Dangerous Dog Assessing and Handling Workshop RSPCA South Australia promotes the use of Force-Free dog training methods. Below you will find a PDF list of South Australian Force Free Trainers and their details. DentaLife Vet on site daily as required Lifetime Membership Nomination Lifetime Membership Nominations for 2018 are Now Open Dog training can be socialisation to the domestic environment, basic obedience training or training for specialized activities including law enforcement, search and rescue, hunting, working with livestock, assistance to people with disabilities, entertainment, dog sports, detection and protecting people or property. 07 Sep 2017 9:31:37am Dog Obedience Classes – Doggie Bootcamp. Let our trainers train your dog for you. Perfect for those too busy to train the dog themselves. … Basic Dog Manners – Level 2 Cages Step 3. Once your new puppy has successfully gone outside, it is important to reward the good behavior. It doesn’t have to be a big, loud celebration, but a simple quiet approval or a treat can get the message across of a job well done. Phone : 03 9723 4387 How To Pay Noarlunga City Obedience Dog Club White Cards Pet library topic(s):  Bowls Webdesign  Classes and Workshops (03) 9350 1281 and Tools Advertise With Us DIY Want your dog to be able to easily handle walking down a crowded, busy street? Carindale Our Locations Blue Dog Training on LinkedIn News and stories Learn about current animal welfare issues we’re involved in. find your local trainer now! Search for an organisation or service: The value of homework The Real Life of a Dog Trainer w/ Kacie Gauld Contact information Tip: To help grab your pooch’s continued attention, don’t feed your puppy or dog prior to class. Disaster and Alerts Puppy Playgroups ⟶ Step 2. Dog Training Central Coast NSW small classes Skip To Main Content Jump up ^ Koehler 1962, p. 8. Relevant links View and download the free pack (pdf 745kB) Select Page Cost: $110.00 Rider Boots Equine Vet It was an excellent course using a blend of modern technology with the webcam. Saved me a lot of time and energy compared to if I needed to go to town for JP work etc. – Lawrence Draper

dog training

puppy training

dog obedience training

fbq('track', 'ViewContent', content_ids: 'dogtraining.dknol', ); How can you help? Our stories Bayswater Level 1 Basic Dog Manners Careers at RSPCA NSW Become a Bark Buster Canine behavioural science has come a long way in the last two decades, and that includes research on the connection between early puppy socialisation and adult dog behaviour. We know beyond doubt that early socialisation – exposing young puppies to positive experiences in the world they’ll live in – is the most effective thing pet parents can do to enjoy a relaxed, social dog they can be proud to take anywhere. Gift Certificates Related services Training lasts approximately half an hour Puppies Links Dog Training Collars | Read Our Reviews Here Dog Training Collars | Simple and Effective Solutions Dog Training Collars | Solutions That Work Legal | Sitemap

[mylifeasavetstudent]

Hi! I strive to be a veterinary technician but where I live there are no schools or programs at the moment and have no money to travel in regards to school. I am going to graduate soon and have already applied to a local college in hopes to pursue a bachelor's degree in bio. I am wondering if this seems like the right choice? Some of my friends have told me it is not required to go to college to become a vet tech but my mom is making me. Thank you in advance!

Hi! 

Phew, this is a loaded question. 

Let’s start by saying: this varies A LOT by location. It is definitely not straightforward, and every veterinary assistant/technician you ask will have a wildly different answer.

Every US state (I’m sure it varies even more wildly by COUNTRY) has different laws in regards to what people with different levels of certification can do. 

I currently work as a veterinary assistant who has been trained on the job. I don’t have any official certification - I was just taught by other assistants, technicians, and doctors over a few years. 

In addition, I have my bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, and am planning to go on to veterinary school in the fall. 

That being said, I don’t have a lot of experience with veterinary technician schooling, exams, or licensure. Any of my followers with more experience, please feel free to add on or correct me!

—-

According to NAVTA (The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America) and the AVMA (The American Veterinary Medical Association), the correct term is “Veterinary Technician” in the US (as opposed to terms like “Veterinary nurse” used in other countries) - another source of debate and varied opinions! 

There are people with zero official certification, people who are LICENSED veterinary technicians (LVTs), people who are CERTIFIED veterinary technicians (CVTs), and people who are REGISTERED veterinary technicians (RVTs). Again, the difference varies by state.

After completing a Veterinary Technician program (~2 years) and receiving your degree, most jobs require you to take the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination) - the nationwide exam. Once passing this, depending on the state, you may have to pay a fee (no exam required - just proof of your degree and your passing exam grade). Paying the fee will make you “licensed”. I believe this needs to be repaid every 2-3 years to maintain your licensure.

In addition, there may be a mandatory amount of C.E. (Continuing Education) credits you must obtained every year to maintain your licensure.

I’m not sure if this is still in effect - but in some states, you are able to take the VTNE exam WITHOUT attending veterinary technician school. (In other states, you need to show proof of your degree in order to even take the exam). Passing the VTNE will then enable you to pay for your license.

Now, once a veterinary technician or technologist, you can also move forward by becoming a veterinary technician SPECIALIST (they usually work under a veterinary doctor who chose to specialize in a certain field and become a board certified specialist). 

——

Let’s do a brief overview of the medical staff in a veterinary hospital.

Quotes below are according to the NAVTA website: VETERINARIAN: “The veterinarian is solely responsible for diagnosing, prognosing, prescribing medication and performing surgery. They are ultimately responsible for all patient care and outcomes. Most veterinarians apply for veterinary medical school admission while obtaining a bachelor degree in a compatible field. If accepted into a medical school, the course of study usually takes another four years, making that a grand total of eight years of schooling. Every state requires a veterinarian to take and pass a licensing exam. Successful candidates are given a license to practice veterinary medicine.”

BOTH VETERINARY TECHNICIANS AND VETERINARY TECHNOLOGISTS:“The veterinary Technicians and technologists are educated to be the veterinarian’s nurse, laboratory technician, radiography technician, anesthetist, surgical nurse and client educator. Many veterinary technicians and technologists are placed in a supervisory role in veterinary practices, research institutions and other employment options. Veterinary technicians can find employment in veterinary practices, biomedical research, zoo/wildlife medicine, industry, military, livestock health management, pharmaceutical sales, etc. Almost every state requires a veterinary technician/technologist to take and pass a credentialing exam. Passing this exam ensures the public that the veterinary technician has entry-level knowledge of the duties they are asked to perform in the veterinary clinic or hospital.”

That’s important to keep in mind. You don’t have to be working in a general practice small animal hospital giving vaccines to cats and dogs. You have the option to work with small animals (cats/dogs), large animals (horses/cows/sheep), exotics (birds/reptiles/rodents), zoo animals, wildlife animals. You can work in a hospital, or you can work in a research lab. You can work in industrial jobs or government/military jobs. There’s a huge variety of options.

VETERINARY TECHNICIAN: “A veterinary technician is a graduate from a two-year, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program from a community college, college or university.”

VETERINARY TECHNOLOGIST: “A veterinary technologist has graduated from an AVMA accredited bachelor degree program.”

VTS: “A veterinary technician or technologist specialist has met the same requirements as above plus spends about 75% of their time doing a specific task and has passed a specialist certification exam administered by a Specialist Academy. Currently, there are eleven academies offering specialty certification.”

Keep in mind this is a huge amount of work. It requires a lot of experience, hard work, and studying to become a VTS. 

Giving you even more variety, the VTS specializing options are:Laboratory AnimalAnesthesia and Analgesia Behavior Clinical PathologyClinical Practice - Canine/FelineClinical Practice - Avian/ExoticClinical Practice - Production Animal  DentalDermatology Emergency and Critical CareEquineInternal Medicine - Small AnimalInternal Medicine - Large AnimalInternal Medicine - CardiologyInternal Medicine - OncologyInternal Medicine - Neurology NutritionOphthalmology SurgeryZoological Medicine 

VETERINARY ASSISTANT: “The veterinary assistant may have training through a high school, college certificate program or through a distant learning program over the Internet. Most, however, are trained on the job by the veterinarian or the veterinary technician. Their role is to assist the veterinarian or the veterinary technician in their daily tasks as well as some basic duties such as setting up of equipment and cleaning of key areas in the clinic like the surgery suite. Some may be asked to do kennel cleaning and janitorial work as well. NAVTA has recently created a Approved Veterinary Assistant program.”

——

In an attempt to clear up some of the CVT/LVT/RVT confusion, also from the NAVTA website:

CREDENTIALED: “The current terminology recognized by decree of both NAVTA and the AVMA is “Veterinary Technician”. Whether you are an LVT, RVT or CVT the term used is mandated by the technician’s state of residence. Here are some definitions to help understand why all three terms are in use.”

CERTIFIED: “Is the recognition by the private sector of voluntarily achieved standards. Certification is usually bestowed by a private sector, nonprofit, professional association or independent board upon those members who achieve specified standards. Certification is therefore distinguished from licensure because it is generally non-governmental and voluntary. Confusion can result when the title “certified” is used for a licensed profession, such as Certified Public Accountant. Many CVTs in the U.S. are recognized by government agencies, such as boards of veterinary medical examiners, which also adds to the confusion. States that currently certify veterinary technicians include Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming.”

REGISTERED: “Refers to the keeping of lists of practitioners by a governmental agency. It can be equivalent to licensure but may also be distinguished from licensure in that criteria for registration may not exist, and registration may not be required for practice. States that currently register veterinary technicians include California, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and West Virginia.

LICENSED: “Is understood as the permission to do something as given by an authority, with the implication that one would not be permitted to do this thing without permission. To be licensed is more than a statement of qualification, as certification is. It is a statement of qualification, and it is the right to do a thing otherwise not permitted by a given authority. Both certification and licensure, however, carry the connotation of trust, belief and confidence; for without these attributes, the certification or the license would have little worth. States that license veterinary technicians include Alaska, Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.”

——

It’s actually very difficult to find Licensed Veterinary technicians, so a lot of practices use on-the-job training, and teach people (over the course of years) the different skills a veterinary technician needs. Again, the legality of this varies by state, but it is done VERY often. 

Legally, if licensure is required in these states, these employees are “assistants” and have a limit to what they should be doing. Some LVTs are insulted by these employees being called “technicians”, as the LVTs worked hard through their schooling and exams to earn that title. On the other side of the spectrum, some un-credentialed employees working as technicians will tell you that licensing means nothing - and that some of the most skilled technicians never went to school. 

I am not going to TOUCH this very controversial area - as I have seen both perspectives.

—-

Okay, anon. More from NAVTA:“Where are the programs for veterinary technicians/technologists?There are over 230 AVMA accredited Veterinary Technology Programs located around the United States. You can earn either an Associate Degree, which takes 2 years or a Bachelor’s Degree, which takes 4 years at the various community colleges, colleges and universities offering a veterinary technology program. There are a number of distance learning veterinary technology programs that are also AVMA accredited and can be accessed through the web. The cost varies from school to school. You should contact the school of your choice and they will be able to give you information regarding tuition, as well as financial aid.Where are the programs for veterinary assistants?Individuals interested in attending a NAVTA Approved Veterinary Assistant Program may review the current list of approved schools on NAVTAs AVA webpage. NAVTA currently approves 35 programs throughout the US and Canada with three online programs approved.”

Personally - I don’t see the point in a veterinary assistant program since most are inexperienced people who learn everything on the job. The veterinary assistant programs are very new. 

—–

NAVTA on not going to school:“In most states you can’t become credentialed without graduating from an accredited veterinary technology program. Very few states currently have an “alternate route” that allows people to sit for the exam, however there are a number of prerequisites that must be met before taking the exam. In 2000 there was a ruling by the Association of American Veterinary State Boards that within ten years they will no longer allow the National Veterinary Technician Exam to be used under these circumstances. If you are in a position to attend a veterinary technology program in your state it is well worth the effort. The amount of knowledge behind the skills you already know will astound you. If you cannot physically get to a program, there are five Distance Learning Programs that are currently accredited by the AVMA that can be taken via the Internet.”

Again, I have to recommend going to an actual school if at all possible. In my experience, online classes don’t give you the hands-on experience you need in this particular field. Being in a classroom and having labs will help immensely. (In addition to getting LOTS of experience in a hospital!)

——

In regards to not having money for school - most people don’t! What kind of graduating high schooler has $50k/year for college? 

Are you SURE there’s no programs around you? Check out NAVTA’s website and see if you’re missing any. If not, you unfortunately may have to travel.

You can save money by commuting and driving to class every day, but if that’s not an option, you may just have to use a loan for dorming/renting an apartment for the 2-4 years you’re away at school. You will NOT be alone in doing that.

If your mom wants you to get your bachelor’s so badly - is she willing to help you at all with college costs? If she can’t/won’t, look into (both private and government) student loans. Most people get through college on student loans, and once you have a steady salary, you can worry about paying them back. 

If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll even get some financial aid that you don’t have to pay back! In addition, you can try applying for scholarships. 

When you get a job, sometimes there is loan forgiveness. Not sure how this applies to veterinary technicians specifically, but if you work for a government job (public health, food animal production, military, etc.) or even a big corporation, sometimes they will offer to pay back your school loans if you commit to working for them for a certain amount of time. 

——

You can definitely get your associates or bachelor’s degree while deciding what you want to do. If possible, I would aim for a program that has an Animal Science degree. You will have access to a lot more relevant classes and hands-on experience. For example, I was able to take classes like Comparative Mammalian Anatomy, Animal Nutrition, Animal Reproduction, Companion Animal Science, etc. in addition to working with laboratory animals and farm animals over 4 years. That will probably be harder to find with a program for a degree in biology. Biology will be focusing a lot on humans, in addition to plants and the environment. 

However, if you definitely want to become a veterinary technician, I would just go straight to veterinary technician school. 

If you (or your mom) want you to have your bachelor’s degree - it sounds like a 4-year veterinary technologist program (as opposed to a 2-year veterinary technician program) would work for both purposes. You would have your bachelor’s degree, and you would have finished a program allowing you to take the VTNE exam. 

——

Some Links:NAVTA (technicians/assistants)AVMA (veterinary)

——

Good luck!