Veterinary technician jobs are growing fast and the demand is expected to grow more than ever. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for licensed veterinary technicians is expected to grow thirty-six percent from 2008 to 2018. The growth rate is a much higher rate than most other occupations. In fact, the demand is so high for a licensed vet tech, that many job openings will remain unfilled because there are not enough qualified people to fill the positions.

Why Is There Such A Need For Licensed Vet Techs?

There is a great demand for veterinary technicians because of the growing number of homes with at least one pet. According to The Humane Society of the United States, thirty nine-percent of homes have at least one dog and thirty-three percent own at least one cat. With so many homes that have pets, there is a need for animals to receive medical and preventive care from veterinarians. As more pets come in for care, veterinarians need more assistance from veterinary technicians.

Pet owners today are also more willing to pay for advanced and specialized medical care for their pets resulting in a growing need for specialized care for animals. With the proper advanced training, vet techs can specialize in some of the following areas of growth:

• Dental care
• Surgical procedures
• Feline medicine services
• Anesthesia
• Animal behavior
• Emergency and critical care

There are many different veterinary technician degree programs that can help you obtain the required training and education to pursue a career in a fast growing industry. With so many different job opportunities, it is evident that a career as a veterinary technician has remained relatively recession proof.