Blinn College Veterinary Technology Program partners with the Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley for Barks ’N Books
Sept. 30 event to feature story time, pet crafts with Blinn Vet Tech students
September 25, 2017
The Blinn College Veterinary Technology Program and the Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley are teaming up for a day filled with storytelling and pet crafts.
The inaugural Barks ’N Books will be held Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley (CMBV), located at 4001 East 29th Street in Bryan. Story time with special guest Biscuit the Dog – a well-known children’s storybook character – will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., while dog toy craft time will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Students in the Blinn Veterinary Technology Student Organization will be on hand to read books and assist children with their crafts.
Barks ’N Books continues the partnership between Blinn, the CMBV, and the City of Bryan Animal Center. The three organizations joined together to launch The Family Pet Center, a permanent exhibit at the CMBV that demonstrates the roles of licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians, responsible treatment of animals, as well as the importance of animals to the environment.
More than 10,000 people – including more than 5,700 children – have interacted with The Family Pet Center since its installation earlier this year.
“Through this partnership, we have been able to provide creative, hands-on learning opportunities for families who care for their pets in the Brazos Valley,” said Jabot’ Colvin, CMBV Executive Director.
Blinn’s Veterinary Technology Program hosts at least two additional events at the CMBV each semester, and volunteers at other local animal-related affairs, including Wiener Fest in College Station and the Texas Reds Steak and Grape Festival in Bryan.
“Our profession strives to be heavily involved in community service,” said Dr. Amanda Kieffer, Interim Director for the Veterinary Technology Program. “Our focus is not just about treating animals. It is about educating the community on responsible pet ownership and promoting the knowledge of the human-animal bond at a young age.”
Veterinary technology is one of the fastest-growing professions in the nation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Veterinary technicians assist in diagnosis and surgery, sample collection, sample submission, client communication and research, and support veterinarians in much the same way nurses assist doctors.
Blinn’s Veterinary Technology Program is one of just nine accredited programs in the state that offers veterinary technology training. The College’s partnership with Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences allows Blinn students to get hands-on training in every aspect of the wide-ranging field.
Up to 30 students are admitted to the program each Fall. Once enrolled, first-year students participate in clinical rotations at five different veterinary clinics for one-week stints. Second-year students perform clinical rotations for eight weeks at Texas A&M. Each student is required to participate in one-week clinical rotations at five different veterinary clinics, where they perform the same tasks as a fully-credentialed veterinary technician.
After earning their Associate of Applied Science, program graduates are eligible to take their state and national exams to become fully-credentialed licensed veterinary technicians (LVTs), with an average starting salary of $31,000. While most LVTs work in private practices, graduates also find employment with animal shelters, stables, reproductive facilities, zoos, wildlife facilities, pharmaceutical sales, the military and homeland security.
For more information about Blinn’s Veterinary Technology Program, visit: www.blinn.edu/veterinary-technology
