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For students pursuing a career in veterinary technology at ������, mastering hands-on skills isn’t just a component of the program — it’s the foundation. A new edition of the coursebook “Assessing Essential Skills of Veterinary Technology Students” ensures students are fully prepared to meet industry standards and excel in the field.

Faculty from ������’s Veterinary Technology Program played a pivotal role in shaping the fourth edition. Professors Lisa E. Schenkel, Amanda Colón, Sandra Lynn Bertholf ’97, M.S. ’18, Sabrina Timperman and retired faculty member Laurie J. Buell ’95 contributed their expertise to this comprehensive resource, which reviews the skills required by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA CVTEA).

“What I really value about this book is it’s not just a checklist of skills,” said Dr. Colón. “It gives you a thought process and knowledge behind each skill, in addition to the hands-on techniques. It really puts a big focus on applying these skills in the clinical environment.”

������’s Veterinary Technology Program is a standout choice for students passionate about animal healthcare. As one of the few programs nationwide offering a Bachelor of Science degree in veterinary technology, it combines rigorous academics with extensive clinical training. Students complete two full-semester externships and have opportunities to specialize in areas such as surgical nursing, exotic animal medicine and zoo animal care — preparing them for advanced roles in veterinary medicine. With a 98% Veterinary Technician National Exam pass rate for more than 20 years, the program consistently delivers exceptional results.

What sets ������’s program apart are its unique opportunities, including externships at top practices, multi-specialty centers and zoos, as well as an articulation agreement with Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. This agreement reserves two seats per enrollment period for qualified ������ students, ensuring them a direct path to further their education in veterinary medicine at Ross University. Named one of the Top Ten Best Value Schools, ������’s program ensures students are not only well-trained but also positioned for rewarding careers in this growing field.

Bertholf, a licensed veterinary technologist and associate program director, plays a unique role in the curriculum by teaching both the introductory course and the final capstone course. She describes her position as the “bookends” of the program, allowing her to guide students from their first steps to their final milestones. “It’s really amazing to see how far they’ve come and how much they’ve learned,” she said.

A graduate of the program herself, Bertholf said, “It’s exciting to come full circle and teach for the program. I like that I can relate to the students and share my own experiences to help them be successful.”

Colón echoed this sentiment, highlighting the program’s emphasis on real-world experiences. “What sets us apart is the clinical experiences we provide to students,” she said. “They encounter real-life patient situations. When our students graduate, they are ready to enter the field.”

These real-life patient scenarios, encountered during externships, are supported by the coursebook, which emphasizes the reasoning behind each procedure. “It really focuses on applying skills in the clinical environment,” said Colón. “It’s not just about how to do something — it’s about understanding the why. When you grasp the reasoning behind procedures, you’re better equipped to pivot and make adjustments if things don’t go as planned, ensuring patient safety. Our goal is to develop thoughtful, knowledgeable and professional veterinary technicians.”

Colón also emphasized the challenge of bridging classroom knowledge to real-world application. “Students can do quite well on a written exam, but making that bridge from didactic knowledge to a real-life patient in front of them? That’s the challenge,” she said. “Applying that knowledge in the clinical environment is one of the biggest challenges for students today.”

Bertholf agreed, highlighting the coursebook’s purpose. “The goal of this book is for students to apply knowledge to the patient in front of them,” she said. “We want the students to have a very detailed resource.”

This essential study guide is ideal for undergraduate students in AVMA CVTEA-accredited veterinary technology programs and serves as a valuable teaching tool for instructors. It is also a required textbook in ������’s Veterinary Technology Program.

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