Animal Health Technology
What do Animal Health Technologists do?
The Animal Health Technologist (AHT) is an essential member of the veterinary team. AHTs assist veterinarians in many ways, often having more day-to-day contact with animals than veterinarians themselves.
Typical AHT responsibilities include:
- Emergency and intensive animal nursing
- Diagnostic procedures (laboratory)
- Prepare and administer medications
- Sterile prep & assist surgical procedures
- Diagnostic imaging, radiographs/ ultrasound
- Administer and monitor various anesthetics
- Dental prophylaxis
- Wound and bandage care
- Business management, administration
- Physiotherapy/ hydrotherapy
- Public education, client relations
- Nutrition management
- Charting medical records
Where can Animal Health Technologists work?
Graduates of an Animal Health Technology program are required in a wide variety of settings, such as:
- Private veterinary practice
- Zoos, wildlife rehabilitation centres
- Self-employed (ex. animal training, pet sitting)
- Animal behaviorist
- Biomedical research, laboratories
- Animal shelters, humane societies
- Industry sales representatives
- Teaching hospitals, college institutions
- Production farms (cattle feedlots, swine barns)
Education Required
To practice as an AHT in Alberta, you must complete a minimum two-year program of study in Animal Health Technology. Individuals who work as AHTs in Alberta must be active members of Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association and in turn, be registered with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA).
