Learn Veterinary Technology on a Farm!

The Veterinary Technology (AAS) is offered at:

Spring Valley: Mostly in-person

At CMC, Vet Tech students gain real-life experience handling large and small animals at a farm right on campus. The farm provides opportunities not found at most Veterinary Technology Programs, especially training for large animals.

The Colorado Animal Rescue (CARE) shelter located adjacent to the farm provides high-quality care for animals awaiting adoption. This provides students with more opportunities to work with animals in a shelter setting.

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CMC has 11 locations and campuses. Our college district covers 7,500 square miles in Colorado — that's almost the size of New Jersey.

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Program Learning Outcomes are what we expect each student will learn while earning a degree or certificate. Meeting these learning outcomes is how we assess our performance as a college. Our learning outcomes support both important career skills and future success as a student.

Upon completing the Veterinary Technology (AAS) program, CMC students will be able to:

1. Participate in facility management utilizing traditional and electronic media and appropriate veterinary medical terminology and abbreviations.
2. Safely and effectively administer prescribed drugs to patients.
3. Demonstrate and perform patient assessment techniques in a variety of animal species.
4. Safely and effectively manage and maintain patients in all phases of anesthesia.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of routine surgical procedures and related equipment.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of proper handling, packaging, and storage of specimens for laboratory analysis to ensure safety of patients, clients, and staff.
7. Safely and effectively produce diagnostic radiographic and non-radiographic images.
8. Safely and effectively handle common laboratory animals used in animal research.
9. Provide safe and effective care for birds, reptiles, amphibians, guinea pugs, hamsters, gerbils, and ferrets.

Colorado Mountain College Veterinary Technician is an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited Career Technical Education program.

Students gain real-world work experience as part of their education

The Colorado Mountain College Veterinary Technology Program incorporates a six-week work experience externship in the second semester of the second year. Students select their externship site with faculty approval. The primary goal of the externship is to provide the student with a real life, clinical experience in a veterinary medical practice. Secondarily, many of the externs impress their supervisors and receive job offers prior to graduation.

Here's what people are saying about the externship experience:

“I wanted to let you know what a wonderful student Lindsay has been for us so far. She has been punctual and professional as well as helpful and hard working. We are starting to rotate her through the different specialty departments and she has fit in well with everyone so far. I almost always have at least one student here at any given time and so far Lindsay has really stood out as an outstanding student and technician.”

-Beth Woodson, LVT, VTS (ECC)
ER/ICU Manager, Northwest Veterinary Specialists, Clackamus, Oregon

“Brittany has been great!  All of us here at San Juan Veterinary Clinic have thoroughly enjoyed her.  She has continued to show enthusiasm and improvement with her work and skills. Brittany has opened up quite a bit since she started and is not afraid to ask for help, ask questions, and try new things.  Like I said before, I was quite impressed with the technical skills she had coming in to her externship… Now, she has gotten much more comfortable and confident with client interaction and communication. Brittany always has a smile for everyone and upholds a positive attitude continually. I feel she is going to be quite successful in this profession.  I will miss her, as will everyone here at SJVC, when she leaves for school again to finish up her tests and finals.”

-Melody Quammen, CVT
San Juan Veterinary Clinic, Montrose, Colorado

“Heather is amazing. After the first day here many of my techs were asking ‘can we hire her?’ Heather is willing to learn all the time and willing to try everything. WE LOVE HER!!!”

-Nicole Ondracek, CVT
Technician Team Leader
VCA Fort Collins Animal Hospital #553, Fort Collins Colorado

High passing rate for Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)

The CMC Veterinary Technology Program prepares its students well for the VTNE.

For many years this program has become a well-known and respected by veterinary practices across the US. This nationally recognized Veterinary Technology Program combines rigorous academics with hands-on experience in the heart of Colorado's Rocky Mountains.

Students gain broad work experience with many different animals in the teaching hospital, 220-acre farm and nearby animal shelter.

Since the beginning of the Veterinary Technology Program in 1970, more than 95 percent of the program graduates have secured careers in animal health or a closely related field.

Become an important member of a veterinary health team with your Veterinary Technology degree from Colorado Mountain College

Veterinary Technology will train you for a variety of jobs and careers. You will be an important member of the veterinary health team. Many Veterinary Technology graduates find careers assisting Doctors of Veterinary Medicine with treatment, surgery and other hospital functions. Responsibilities include all facets of Veterinary Medicine except diagnosis of cases, prescription of medication and surgery.

Other Veterinary Technology careers include: companion or pet animal clinics; food animal and mixed private practice; medical research; wild or exotic animal practices and zoos; laboratory animals; state and federal government regulatory agencies and military veterinary service. Job availability routinely exceeds the number of graduates.

Since the beginning of the Veterinary Technology Program in 1970, more than 95 percent of the program graduates have secured careers in animal health or a closely related field. Veterinary Technology graduates bring current employment information and networking opportunities back to the program.

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) is an excellent reference for career growth and the advancement of the veterinary technology profession. Another great source of information is the Colorado Association of Veterinary Technicians (CACVT)

Employers may post current job openings on CMC Career Connect.