Southeast Tech to Start Veterinary Technician Program
Southeast Tech's Veterinary Technician Facility
Renderings of the new vet tech addition planned for Southeast Tech's northwest Sioux Falls campus. (Photo: TSP Architecture Engineering)
'Something that was needed': Southeast Tech to start veterinary technician program this fall
From Argusleader.com
The closure of Globe University in 2016 left the state of South Dakota without a veterinary technician program.
Considering the number of hog farms and cattle ranches in the state and agriculture's prominent role in the economy, many felt it necessary to find a replacement.
Enter: Southeast Technical Institute.
After being approached by several groups, Southeast Tech Vice President of Academic Affairs Benjamin Valdez said the school's leadership began researching the idea of starting a new program. They met with industry veterinarians, farmers and ranchers, all of whom expressed their support.
"They really felt this was something that was needed," Valdez said.
This fall, Southeast Tech will begin offering a veterinarian technician program, with a new $1.8 million veterinary facility at its northwest campus slated to open in August.
"The people we talked to thought it (was) a phenomenal idea to start this type of program," Valdez said. "So, we've really been working on that back angle of what would make a good veterinary technician."
Program design is being headed up by Dr. Emily Stahl.
Stahl, a mixed animal veterinarian, first connected with Southeast Tech officials last fall when they were out talking to different vets about starting their new program. She provided insight into the initial drafts of the curriculum and facilities, before officially taking over as program director about a month ago.
"Being a veterinarian, you lean a lot on the technicians," Stahl said. "I've worked with some awesome technicians, but I've also had experience working with (unqualified) technicians. It really made me realize how valuable those technicians are. I wanted to do my part in developing them and having them out in the veterinary industry."
Stahl has had a hands-on role in developing virtually all aspects of the program, basing it on what students will need when they start working in veterinary clinics.
The new Southeast Tech facility — which will have a surgical suite, full x-ray room, a clinical skills lab and a lab with four exam tables — was designed by Stahl to give students a good environment to learn in, while also mirroring the equipment most offices are using and the standard flow of animals through the lab area where physical exams are conducted and into the surgery suite and radiology.
"I wanted it to be stuff that they're actually going to be able to be familiar with, so when they go out into practices, they already know how to use that anesthesia machine or they're comfortable with how a clinic is laid out and the flow of things," she said.
"We'll be able to handle a fair number of students and really expose them to all aspects of the veterinary profession," Valdez added.
As for the curriculum, Southeast Tech's vet tech program is a 65-credit associate degree that will prepare students to work on both small (domestic pets like dogs and cats) and large animals.
In addition to the internship course that will provide more hands-on experience, Southeast Tech is partnering with McCrossan Boy Ranch, which will allow students to use their facility to learn the large animal component (i.e. cattle, horses, etc.).
"We're not operating in a little bubble," Valdez said. "We're actually reaching out and using other sources and using the community, while also providing them with a service, as well, so their animals can be tended to and hopefully with their costs reduced."
Once Southeast Tech's porgram is up and running, Valdez said they will apply for accreditation through the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The application process is about 2-3 years long.
"They want to have you actually graduate some students and to see the outcomes and test results," Valdez said. "It's a long process, but it really allows us to do a lot of self-reflection... Where do we need to improve the quality of our instruction and what are we doing really great that we can continue to focus on? (We can) also make sure that we have the proper facilities and proper equipment to deliver a strong program."
Valdez set the program's enrollment cap at about 32 students, with 38 already accepted in (some students will change paths). He said there is currently a wait list of about 25-30 students.
For more information about the veterinary technician program, please reach out to our admissions office at 605-367-6040 or by emailing admissions@southeasttech.edu.
Jan. 6, 2021