National Veterinary Technician Week is October 10 - 16

CONTACT: CHRISTEE WILLIAMS, EXT. 2340

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10/5/99

PENDLETON --- The North American Veterinary Technician Association, Inc. (NAVTA) has proclaimed October 10 – 16 as National Veterinary Technician Week. The event is celebrated annually to recognize veterinary technicians nationwide for their contributions as members of the veterinary health care team.

National Veterinary Technician Week provides veterinary technicians the opportunity to promote their profession to the public and colleagues. This year's theme, Veterinary Technicians – Dedicated to Quality Animal Care, will bring to the public's attention the educational background and technical expertise that veterinary technicians bring to animal health care.

As the trend in veterinary medicine has moved toward multi-doctor practices and high technology, a greater need for well-trained technicians has been created. Tri-County Technical College is the only college in the state that offers an associate degree program in veterinary technology.

Veterinary technicians work closely with veterinarians and other members of the veterinary team to deliver quality animal health care. Their primary responsibilities in a veterinary practice involve animal nursing, administering medications, assisting in surgery, taking radiographs, inducing and monitoring of anesthesia, hospital management, and laboratory duties. Veterinary technicians are also employed in biomedical research, military, sales, industry and education.

Tri-County's student chapter of NAVTA is dedicated to promoting the veterinary technology profession in this community and others. This is accomplished by fundraising events and community service projects such as providing meals and gifts to needy families at Christmas and cash donations to organizations, such as the Oconee County Humane Society and, most recently, the Red Cross for the North Carolina flood victims and the Emergency Animal Rescue Service. In addition, they hold fundraisers to purchase supplies for the Anderson County Animal Shelter and the Veterinary Technology department.

Tri-County's program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and is endorsed by the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians. It offers training in large and small animal clinical and surgical nursing, various laboratory skills, as well as courses in lab animal technology and office management and computer skills.
-30-