Veterinary Technician Programs to be Offered at Montana Western
New Collaboration with the University of Montana Western Makes Courses Possible
Pima Medical Institute veterinary technician students learn how to X-ray a horse’s leg during class.
DILLON – Pima Medical Institute is proud to announce the introduction of a veterinary technician associate degree and veterinary assistant certificate in collaboration with the University of Montana Western. Classes begin in November.
Pima Medical Institute – founded in 1972 in Tucson, Ariz. – offers both the degree and certificate at several of its campuses, including in Arizona, Colorado, California, Colorado, Texas, Nevada and Washington State. Pima Medical also offers other certificate, associate and bachelor’s degrees in multiple healthcare-related specialties at its many campuses and through its online education.
No other educational institutions in Montana offer a veterinary technician associate degree or a veterinary assistant certificate.
“Students will come from all over the state and beyond to attend these programs,” said Pima Medical Institute Chief Executive Officer and President, Fred Freedman. “This new partnership with the University of Montana Western is strategic in that all parties benefit from the relationship, especially the students.”
Students who enroll in the veterinary technician associate degree or veterinary assistant certificate program will have access to a state-of-the art learning facility, study under instructors with years of professional experience and have access to the university’s facilities, such as housing, dining and recreation.
“There’s already huge interest in these programs,” said University of Montana Western Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Karl Ulrich. “Many of our equine studies students are interested in the programs our collaboration will create as a way to enhance their education.”
With more than 2.5 million head of cattle and an estimated $1.4 billion in annual livestock sales, it only makes sense to increase the number of highly trained veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants within the state of Montana.
“Currently I have to go out of state to recruit vet techs,” said Dr. Rick Scherr, chairman for the Montana Veterinary Medical Association’s Vet Tech Board and founder of Big Sky Animal Medical Center in Great, Falls, Mont. “I often fly to Denver to recruit techs because there aren’t any in Montana. It’s a problem for veterinarians across the state. Adding these programs will really help to fill that gap.”
The veterinary technician associate degree is an 18-month program that teaches students how to become veterinary nurses. The curriculum focuses on animal behavior and care, surgical assisting, laboratory testing and nursing procedures.
The veterinary assistant certificate is a nine-month program that trains students to be skilled in providing post-operative animal care, surgical assistance, teeth cleaning, medication administration, blood draws, lab work and much more.
“We need highly trained people in these roles,” Ulrich said. “Pima Medical has played a vital role in making these programs a reality.”
Both programs will allow students to work with small and large animals in a newly equipped facility on the University of Montana Western’s campus. Students who enroll will be eligible to live on campus, use the university’s facilities, such as the library and gym, and get meals on campus.
In addition, Pima Medical students will work with the Beaverhead Animal Shelter in Dillon to provide animals with services such as spaying and neutering, dental cleanings and lab work. Pima Medical often works with a city’s shelters and humane societies, resulting in a greater level of animal care and increased adoption rates.
Beaverhead Animal Shelter’s director, Susie Brown, is excited to start the partnership with Pima Medical students. The shelter has on average 150 animals a day that are brought in from four counties and beyond.
“It doesn’t matter what it is – a dog, cat, horse, pig, hamster – we take it. We provide a lot of care for these animals, but naturally it takes funding. This partnership with Pima Medical will really help,” Brown said. “Students will get hands-on experience working with animals, and the animals will get the care they need.”
To learn more about Pima Medical Institute, visit www.pmi.edu. The University of Montana Western can be found online at umwestern.edu. To speak to someone about enrolling, call 1–888-442-5998.
