• Become a Veterinarian Techchat malade image by margouillat photo from Fotolia.com
  
  If you're interested in becoming a veterinary technician, vet tech Internet programs are a convenient way to earn your diploma. The veterinary technologist field is growing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs will increase by 36 percent through 2018. The demand for vets and vet techs will match the increase in pet owners who are willing to pay for the care of pets that they consider part of the family.
  
  

Penn Foster College

• Penn Foster College offers an online Veterinary Technician Associate Degree. First semester classes include biology, animal anatomy and physiology, medical mathematics and computer literacy and applications. During the second semester, you'll study such topics as veterinary office management, diagnostic imaging and veterinary pharmacology. Semester three courses include clinical pathology, animal parasitology, animal diseases and anesthesiology. The last semester will cover animal care, management and nutrition, laboratory animal science and business and technical writing. You'll also be required to complete an externship at a veterinary office, clinic or hospital. Penn Foster provides a toll-free instructor hot-line should you have any study questions.
  
  Penn Foster College
  14300 N. Northsight Blvd., Suite 111
  Scottsdale, AZ 85260
  480-947-6644
  pennfostercollege.edu
  
  

Purdue University

• Purdue University offers an online Associate of Science degree in Veterinary Technology. The course load includes foundation classes, small and large animals, diagnostics and mentorships. The mentorship portion of the curriculum involves working in a veterinary office, clinic or hospital under the supervision of a veterinarian or a veterinary technician. Some of the courses you'll take include anatomy, physiology, pharmacy, small and large animal nursing and health management, dermatology, oncology, anesthesia and laboratory techniques such as imagining, pathology and parasitology. The course material is presented on the Internet as well as with CD-ROM, video and textbook.
  
  Purdue University
  Veterinary Technology
  625 Harrison Street
  West Lafayette, IN 47907
  765-494-7619
  vet.purdue.edu
  
  

U.S. Career Institute

• U.S. Career Institute offers an online Veterinary Specialist course that consists of five instruction packs that you follow consecutively. In the first pack, you'll learn how to examine an animal, provide emergency care and bandage a wound. Grooming, manicuring and bathing are also included in this first lesson. Instruction Pack II will teach you animal, medical and anatomical terminology and the circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems of animals. The third pack covers such topics as vaccinations and handling drugs and medicines. Instruction Pack IV will teach you about the care and handling of exotic animals, disease conditions and x-ray safety. In the final instruction pack, you'll learn about anesthesia for animals, dental care and diet.
  
  U.S. Career Institute
  2001 Lowe Street
  Fort Collins, CO 80525
  866-250-6851
  uscareerinstitute.com