There are several career pathways available for people who love animals.
One example is working as a veterinary technician or technologist.
As members of veterinary healthcare teams, vet techs are involved in many aspects of animal patient care.
They assist veterinarians before, during, and after surgeries.
They prepare tools and equipment, restrain animals, and clean and sterilize supplies.
They also collect specimens, monitor vitals, and educate pet owners.
Whether they work in veterinary hospitals, wildlife facilities, private practices, boarding kennels, zoos, animal shelters, or humane societies, there is no denying that they are important in ensuring that all animals in need are properly taken care of.
If you are in Houston, TX, and think that this is a career that suits you, take a vet tech course at any of the vet tech schools in Houston, TX below.
- Full AVMA-CVTEA accreditation, allowing graduates to qualify for the VTNE examination.
- Study online, at your own pace, wherever you are.
- Receive ongoing support from our Veterinary Academy Team.
Vet Tech Institute of Houston
About the School
Vet Tech Institute of Houston is one of the four locations of the Vet Tech Institute in the U.S.
They are committed to providing high-quality training in veterinary technology through expert faculty, innovative curriculum ideas, and state-of-the-art resources.
Since the establishment of the Vet Tech Institute in 1958, they have focused on student success and hands-on experience.
Their students are their priority so they are ready to offer their full support and individualized assistance from admissions to career placement so they can move down the path to graduation and find jobs that enhance the quality of their lives.
They are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities and have campuses in Chicago, IL, Houston, TX, Indianapolis, IN, and Pittsburgh, PA.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Technology Program is an 18-month program that teaches the core skills necessary to enter the veterinary care field.
Its curriculum, experienced faculty, cohort instruction, on-site kennel, and facilities are designed for students’ success.
It involves working hands-on with animals and on-site and positive learning experiences in their animal-friendly classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, radiography suites, on-site kennels, and surgical suites.
The curriculum covers the following courses:
Semester 1 (112 lecture hours, 240 lab hours):
- Animal Behavior
- Veterinary Medical Terminology
- Veterinary Laboratory Procedures
- Veterinary Nutrition
- Introduction to Veterinary Technology
- Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
Semester 2 (160 lecture hours, 208 lab hours):
- Special Topics: Small Animal Medicine
- Canine and Feline Clinical Management
- Veterinary Clinical Pathology I
- Biology
- General Psychology
Semester 3 (208 lecture hours, 176 lab hours):
- Veterinary Office Management
- Lab Animal Clinical Management
- Veterinary Radiology
- Veterinary Pharmacology
- Equine Clinical Management
- English Composition I
- Contemporary Mathematics
Semester 4 (112 lecture hours, 256 lab hours):
- Special Topics: VTNE Preparation
- Anesthesia and Surgical Assistance
- Clinical-Large Animal Veterinary Technician
- Food Animal Clinical Management
- Exotic Animal Clinical Management
- Introduction to Speech Communication
Semester 5 (5 semester credit hours):
- Clinical-Veterinary Technician
The program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities.
Address: 4669 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77027, United States
Pima Medical Institute - Houston
About the School
Pima Medical Institute is a private educational institution that offers career programs focusing exclusively on healthcare professions.
They were founded in 1972 and have a wide range of certificate, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs in the dental, veterinary, and medical fields.
Over the years, they have helped more than 150,000 students be prepared for their chosen careers in various healthcare fields, including nursing, dental hygiene, radiography, medical assisting, and veterinary sciences.
They are committed to providing quality healthcare education so that their students can become the best healthcare professionals.
Accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, they have multiple locations in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Technician Associate Degree Program provides the knowledge and training necessary to start a career as a veterinary technician.
It covers animal anatomy, medical terminology, dental and surgical procedures of animal care, examination techniques, radiology, and more.
The course length is approximately 18 months.
The curriculum includes the following courses:
Professional Sequence I
- Communications
- Math Applications
- Foundations in Biology and Chemistry
- Introduction to Veterinary Technology
Professional Sequence II
- Food and Fiber Animal
- Diagnostic Imaging for Veterinary Technicians
- Small Animal Nursing for Veterinary Technicians
Professional Sequence III
- Laboratory Animal Science
- Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians
- Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technicians
Professional Sequence IV
- Dentistry Techniques
- Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians
- Surgical Nursing for Veterinary Technicians
- Clinical Surgery and Lab
Professional Sequence V
- Exotic Animal Medicine and Nursing
- Equine Medicine and Nursing
- Emergency Procedures
- Clinic Surgery and Lab
Externship
- Veterinary Technician Seminar
- Externship
Career opportunities for graduates include working in clinics, hospitals, zoos, laboratories, biomedical facilities, animal control facilities, wildlife facilities, and humane societies.
Address: 11125 Equity Dr #100, Houston, TX 77041, United States
Lone Star College – Tomball
About the School
Lone Star College is a community college that provides high-quality and low-cost academic transfer and career training education to over 80,000 students every semester.
Serving the greater north Houston area, they first opened their doors in 1972 and began with 613 students.
Today, they are the largest institution of higher education in Houston and are recognized as a top institution for Hispanics and a top degree producer for minority students.
They consist of eight colleges, two University Centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence, and five satellite centers.
They have a wide range of programs in the following areas of study:
- Arts, Humanities, Communication and Design
- Business and Professional Services
- Energy, Manufacturing, and Construction
- Engineering, Mathematics, and Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Information and Computer Science
- Public Safety and Human/Consumer Services
- Social/Behavioral Sciences and Education
- Transportation and Global Logistics
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, they have locations in Houston North, Kingwood, Montgomery, North Harris, Tomball, University Park, CyFair, and Online.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Technology Program was started in 1988 and has become one of the top vet tech programs in the nation today.
Every year, specifically in the fall, it accepts 36 college entry-level students.
It involves on-campus instruction and clinical (internship) experience at a veterinary clinic or hospital, research hospital, specialty hospital, or other approved clinical site.
Fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, it requires students to complete the Veterinary Assistant, Level 2 Certificate Program to be able to proceed to the Veterinary Technology, AAS Program.
The Program Pathway features the following courses:
Veterinary Assistant, Level 2 Certificate
First Semester:
- Intro to Veterinary Technology
- Veterinary Medical Terminology
- Veterinary Nutrition
- Biology I for Science Majors
- Learning Framework: 1st Year Experience
Second Semester:
- Food Animal Clinical Management
- College Algebra
- Practicum Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician
- Canine and Feline Clinical Mgmt
- Exotic Animal Clinical Management
- Composition and Rhetoric I
Third Semester:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Pharmacological Calculations
- Special Topics in Veterinarian Assistant/Animal Health Technician
The program requires 30 credit hours.
Successful graduates will receive Certificates of Completion and can use their earned credits to the next level.
Veterinary Technology, AAS
Third Semester:
- General Psychology
- Language, Philosophy, and Culture
- Creative Arts
Fourth Semester:
- Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
- Veterinary Clinical Pathology I
- Lab Animal Clinical Management
- Veterinary Pharmacology
- Equine Clinical Management
Fifth Semester:
- Veterinary Clinical Pathology II
- Veterinary Radiology
- Vet Jurisprudence/Ethics
- Clinical – Veterinarian Assistant
The program requires 60 total credit hours.
Students will receive Diplomas upon completion.
Address: 30555 Tomball Pkwy, Tomball, TX 77375, United States
Blinn College
About the School
Blinn College is a public junior college established in 1884 as Mission Institute.
Located in Brenham, TX, with additional campuses in Bryan, Sealy, and Schulenburg, they serve the counties of Waller, Washington, Madison, Grimes, Burleson, and Brazos, as well as portions of Austin and Lee Counties.
They offer academic transfer, workforce training, and continuing education classes online and on campus.
With more than 17,000 students, they are ranked as one of the best when it comes to transferring students to premier four-year universities.
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, they are also recognized nationally for their affordable educational excellence.
They strive to deliver excellent instruction, resources, services, and innovative partnerships for their students and the community to shape future academic, workforce, cultural, and economic leaders.
Their mission statement is “building stronger communities by providing quality, comprehensive education, and empowering students to achieve excellence in their educational careers and personal goals.”
Their core values are Access, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, Innovation, Respect, and Service.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Technology Program is designed to prepare students to work as fully credentialed licensed veterinary technicians.
It offers two Enrollment Options:
- Traditional, two-year program – Courses and labs are completed on the Bryan Campus.
- Blended, three-year program – Lecture courses are completed online and labs are completed on campus.
It involves hands-on training on various aspects of the animal health field through a collaboration with the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
The Course Summary for the traditional, two-year Veterinary Technology AAS Degree Program is as follows:
Pre-Requisites
- General Biology
- English Composition
- College Algebra
Fall Semester 1
- Veterinary Medical Terminology
- Introduction to Veterinary Technology
- Pharmacological Calculations
- Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technicians
- Microbiology
Spring Semester 2
- Canine Feline Clinical Management
- Clinical Pathology I and II
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Interpersonal Communications
Summer Semester 3
- Veterinary Pharmacology
- Anesthesia and Surgical Assist
Fall Semester 4
- Veterinary Radiology
- Exotic Clinical Management
- Food Animal Clinical Management
- Equine Clinical Management
- Introduction to Ethics
Spring Semester 5
- Veterinary Office Management
- Clinicals I and II
On the other hand, the Course Summary for the blended, three-year Veterinary Technology AAS Degree Program is as follows:
Pre-Requisites
- General Biology
- English Composition
- College Algebra
Fall Semester 1
- Veterinary Medical Terminology
- Introduction to Veterinary Technology
- Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technicians
- Microbiology
Spring Semester 2
- Pharmacological Calculations
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Interpersonal Communications
Summer Semester 3
- Canine Feline Clinical Management
- Clinical Pathology I and II
Fall Semester 4
- Veterinary Pharmacology
- Clinicals I
Spring Semester 5
- Anesthesia and Surgical Assist
- Veterinary Radiology
Summer Semester 6
- Exotic Clinical Management
- Introduction to Ethics
Fall Semester 7
- Food Animal Clinical Management
- Equine Clinical Management
Spring Semester 8
- Veterinary Office Management
- Clinical II
Either Enrollment Option requires 20 credit hours of General Education Courses and 40 credit hours of Veterinary Technology Courses for a total of 60 credit hours.
Tuition and fees cost approximately $15,000.
Address: 2423 Blinn Blvd, Bryan, TX 77802, United States
Veterinary Technician Schools by City in Texas
- Austin, TX3 Schools
- Brownsville, TX1 Schools
- Dallas, TX2 Schools
- El Paso, TX1 Schools
- Fort Worth, TX2 Schools
- Houston, TX4 Schools
- McAllen, TX1 Schools
- San Antonio, TX3 Schools