Skip to main content
Appalachian Today
News and events at Appalachian State University
  • For the media
  • Archives
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Galleries
  • In the Media
  • Grants
  • Speakers
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Galleries
  • In the Media
  • Grants
  • Speakers
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • For the media
  • Archives
  • Contact
  • The university remains open, with emergency management protocols activated and operational modifications and precautions in place. Read the latest updates
View larger image

A veterinary technician interacts with a cat client. Photo courtesy of Banfield Pet Hospital®

App State and Banfield Pet Hospital® announce new online vet tech program aimed at addressing veterinary shortage

First-of-its-kind program will help meet surging demand for pet care

“This partnership with the leading pioneer in preventive health care for animals is synergistic and forward thinking. With graduation and licensure achievement rates that far exceed national averages, our university is uniquely positioned to develop and deliver a signature program that will help advance the profession, elevate the role of the licensed veterinary technicians and address the market demand for skilled, rural veterinary professionals.”

App State Chancellor Sheri Everts

By Elisabeth Wall
Posted Feb. 10, 2021 at 9 a.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University and Banfield Pet Hospital® — the leading provider of preventive veterinary care in the U.S. and part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of practices — have announced a partnership aimed at strengthening the pipeline of licensed veterinary technicians and creating a more sustainable future for the veterinary profession. This is in direct response to a recent study from Banfield, which finds an estimated 75 million pets in the U.S. may not have access to the veterinary care they need by 2030, with an important factor being a critical shortage of veterinary professionals.

“This partnership with the leading pioneer in preventive health care for animals is synergistic and forward thinking. With graduation and licensure achievement rates that far exceed national averages, our university is uniquely positioned to develop and deliver a signature program that will help advance the profession, elevate the role of the licensed veterinary technicians and address the market demand for skilled, rural veterinary professionals.”

App State Chancellor Sheri Everts

As part of the partnership, Banfield made a multimillion-dollar commitment toward the development of a new four-year online degree program at App State for licensed veterinary technicians (LVTs). This will address the market demand — particularly in rural communities — for skilled veterinary professionals.

“App State excels in developing visionary academic programs that address professional workforce shortages in rural communities and help advance industry standards,” said App State Chancellor Sheri Everts. “This partnership with the leading pioneer in preventive health care for animals is synergistic and forward thinking. With graduation and licensure achievement rates that far exceed national averages, our university is uniquely positioned to develop and deliver a signature program that will help advance the profession, elevate the role of the licensed veterinary technicians and address the market demand for skilled, rural veterinary professionals.”

Much like a human health care nurse, LVTs can offer services such as administering vaccinations or checking vital signs in partnership with a doctor.

“As part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of practices, Banfield believes strongly in elevating and recognizing the role of licensed veterinary technicians as critical members of the veterinary team,” said Dr. Daniel Aja, chief veterinary relations and transformation officer at Banfield. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with App State and investing in this first-of-its-kind program that will benefit veterinary professionals, pets and the broader industry as we continue to see the demand for pet care rise.”

App State Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Heather Norris said, “We have assembled an interdisciplinary team of App State faculty to develop a rigorous, signature program that will become a model for developing licensed veterinary professional talent and setting unprecedented industry standards.”

The App State Online program will be housed in the university’s College of Arts and Sciences and will combine Bachelor of Science credentials with preparation for veterinary technician licensure. App State faculty will create the curriculum plan, program and courses. The program’s first class is expected to begin in fall 2022.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data show that in 2020 there were more than 110,000 LVT jobs in the U.S. and project an increase of nearly 20% in the next five years. Industry reports project a gap in the supply of LVTs of more than 50,000 by 2029. Spending on household pets continues to rise — data from BLS and the American Pet Products Association indicate annual sales of pet products and services in the U.S. is nearly $100 billion, and Americans are increasing spending on pet care at rates that exceed increases in household income.

“When veterinary professionals get to practice at the top of their license, hospitals get the best results: Engaged clients and a unified team that delivers superior care,” Aja said. “In support of our purpose — A Better World for Pets — we believe the profession needs to leverage all veterinary professionals to the best of their abilities to ensure pets can get the care they need.”

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

App State Online
App State Online

Online, Hybrid, and Classroom-Based Programs

Recognized as one of the top online education destinations in the country by U.S. News and World Report, App State Online (formerly known as Distance Education) is designed to meet students wherever they are — whether they are seeking a degree, a credential or looking to sharpen their personal and/or professional skills. Through App State Online, Appalachian State University offers innovative, flexible and accredited undergraduate and graduate programs through three modes of teaching delivery: online, hybrid or classroom-based at off-campus centers.

Learn more
Banfield Pet Hospital®
Banfield Pet Hospital®

Banfield Pet Hospital® was founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1955 and today is a pioneer in preventive veterinary care with more than 1,000 general veterinary hospitals in 42 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. More than 3,600 Banfield veterinarians are committed to providing high-quality veterinary care to 3 million-plus pets annually. As part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, Banfield is committed to its purpose — A Better World for Pets™ — because pets make a better world for us.

Learn more

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 20,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

About Banfield Pet Hospital®

Banfield Pet Hospital® was founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1955 and today is a pioneer in preventive veterinary care with more than 1,000 general veterinary hospitals in 42 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. More than 3,600 Banfield veterinarians are committed to providing high-quality veterinary care to 3 million-plus pets annually. As part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, Banfield is committed to its purpose — A Better World for Pets™ — because pets make a better world for us.

“This partnership with the leading pioneer in preventive health care for animals is synergistic and forward thinking. With graduation and licensure achievement rates that far exceed national averages, our university is uniquely positioned to develop and deliver a signature program that will help advance the profession, elevate the role of the licensed veterinary technicians and address the market demand for skilled, rural veterinary professionals.”

App State Chancellor Sheri Everts

App State Online
App State Online

Online, Hybrid, and Classroom-Based Programs

Recognized as one of the top online education destinations in the country by U.S. News and World Report, App State Online (formerly known as Distance Education) is designed to meet students wherever they are — whether they are seeking a degree, a credential or looking to sharpen their personal and/or professional skills. Through App State Online, Appalachian State University offers innovative, flexible and accredited undergraduate and graduate programs through three modes of teaching delivery: online, hybrid or classroom-based at off-campus centers.

Learn more
Banfield Pet Hospital®
Banfield Pet Hospital®

Banfield Pet Hospital® was founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1955 and today is a pioneer in preventive veterinary care with more than 1,000 general veterinary hospitals in 42 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. More than 3,600 Banfield veterinarians are committed to providing high-quality veterinary care to 3 million-plus pets annually. As part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, Banfield is committed to its purpose — A Better World for Pets™ — because pets make a better world for us.

Learn more

Share

Topics

  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Health and Wellness
  • Research
  • Students

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

Share

Topics

  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Health and Wellness
  • Research
  • Students

Other Recent Posts

  • App State coronavirus information
    App State coronavirus information
  • App State champions transfer student success
    App State champions transfer student success
  • 2 App State seniors awarded Gilman Scholarships to study or intern abroad in 2021
    2 App State seniors awarded Gilman Scholarships to study or intern abroad in 2021
  • A ‘diploma in persistence’ for this App State staff member and student
    A ‘diploma in persistence’ for this App State staff member and student
  • App State names inaugural BCBS of NC Endowed Professor in Public Health
    App State names inaugural BCBS of NC Endowed Professor in Public Health
  • US News & World Report names App State Online programs among nation’s best for 2021
    US News & World Report names App State Online programs among nation’s best for 2021
  • Revealing Earth’s story through the geologic record
    Revealing Earth’s story through the geologic record
  • App State’s Paul Meggett named among NC’s top 100 African American attorneys for 2nd consecutive year
    App State’s Paul Meggett named among NC’s top 100 African American attorneys for 2nd consecutive year
  • Recent App State grad offers 4 tips for forming a pandemic pod for work and home life
    Recent App State grad offers 4 tips for forming a pandemic pod for work and home life
  • A look at generations of Black Mountaineers who inspire the Appalachian Community
    A look at generations of Black Mountaineers who inspire the Appalachian Community
  • US Department of Education continues funding for App State’s Student Support Services
    US Department of Education continues funding for App State’s Student Support Services
  • WCC, App State announce Aspire Appalachian Co-Admission Program agreement
    WCC, App State announce Aspire Appalachian Co-Admission Program agreement

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the Media
  • Grants
  • Speakers
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • For the media
  • Archives
  • Contact

Appalachian State University

Copyright 2021 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
ucomm@appstate.edu

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Website manager: montaldi | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat