Veterinary & Animal Science
Passionate about animal care and interested in a healthcare profession dedicated to the well-being of animals?
With HCC's Veterinary & Animal Science Department, you can begin your career as a Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Assistant!
HCC offers a two-year program that results in an Associate of Applied Science degree with a Veterinary Technician option.
HCC also offers a one-year, part-time Veterinary Assistant Certificate program.
A Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) is trained to handle many of the same responsibilities that a Registered Nurse (RN) and other professionals perform alongside physicians. Veterinary technicians serve roles as animal anesthetists, surgical technicians, radiology technicians, medical laboratory technicians, and veterinary dental hygienists. Veterinary technicians employed in specialty practices may become technician specialists in a variety of disciplines such as anesthesiology, internal medicine, nutrition, ophthalmology, emergency and critical care, dentistry, and zoological medicine, among others. These veterinary technician specialists are often involved in teaching and training other veterinary technicians and assistants as well as veterinary medical students during their clinical rotations.
Veterinary assistants support the veterinarian and the veterinary technician in their provision of healthcare and are trained to perform multiple tasks under the supervision of veterinarians and veterinary technicians. The veterinary assistant is trained to assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in the provision of preventative healthcare, in the collection and preparation of laboratory samples, in the restraint and handling of animals, in the feeding, exercise, and care of animals in the clinic, in keeping medical records, in client communication, and in the preparation of equipment and supplies for medical and surgical procedures.
Both veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants can work in a variety of animal healthcare settings, including small animal clinical practices, equine or large animal facilities, in zoo or wildlife medicine, in laboratory animal medicine, or in veterinary referral hospitals and specialty practices. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of both veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants is projected to grow 9 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
HCC's Vet Tech Program has been accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association since 1989
HCC's Vet Assistant Program is approved by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America.
The Veterinary Technician program has selective admissions with one class admitted per year, beginning in the fall.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Obtain eligibility for MTH 104 (can be taken in the spring or summer prior to fall program start)
- Attend an online Health Career Programs Info Session within one year of the application deadline. Contact admissions or follow this link for more information.
- Submit all application materials to the admissions office no later than Feb. 1 for fall admission
- Once accepted to the program, attend the mandatory Veterinary Technician Orientation in late August (date TBD)
- Complete BIO 107 (or approved equivalent course) with a grade of "C" or better.
- Once accepted into the program, submit proof of rabies vaccination, tetanus vaccination, and health insurance coverage prior to the start of classes. Rabies vaccination, tetanus vaccination, health insurance coverage, a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check are required in order to participate in the Veterinary Technician program.
- Observation in a veterinary facility is recommended (but not required) for admission
The Veterinary Assistant Certificate program has selective admissions with one class admitted per year, beginning in the fall.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Attend an info session within one year of application deadline
- Obtain eligibility for ENG 101 (can be taken in the spring or summer prior to fall program start)
- Attend an online Health Career Programs Information Session within one year of the application deadline. Contact Admissions or follow this link for information about these information sessions.
- Submit all application materials to the Admissions office
- Once accepted to the program, attend the required Veterinary Assistant Orientation in late August (date TBD)
- Rabies vaccination is strongly recommended (but not required) and observation in a veterinary facility is also recommended (but not required) for admission
Hands-on training, nationally recognized credentials, and real-world experience
Professional Accreditation and Approval
Our programs meet the highest national standards, ensuring our graduates are prepared for immediate entry into the veterinary field.
AVMA Accredited since 1989
Veterinary Technician A.S. Program
HCC's Vet Tech program is accredited by the AVMA's Council on Veterinary Technician Education & Activities (CVTEA). Only graduates of CVTEA-accredited programs are eligible to sit for the VTNE and become Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVTs) in Massachusetts.
NAVTA Approved Program
Veterinary Assistant Certificate
HCC's Veterinary Assistant Certificate Program is approved by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). Graduates are eligible to sit for the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) exam and earn their AVA credential.
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
We bridge the gap between theory and practice through intensive, hands-on training in diverse environments.
Students gain real clinical experience through HCC's on-campus Service-Learning Community Veterinary Clinic, which offers veterinary wellness exams, spays, neuters, and dentistry. On-campus coursework includes working directly with dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and rodents.
Field Experience and Externships:
Students participate in clinical hours through off-campus rotations and externships, allowing for excellent hands-on experience as well as professional networking opportunities.
- Small, large & exotic animal hospitals
- Clinical and laboratory facilities
- Horses, cattle, alpacas, donkeys, goats, and sheep
- Laboratory animal medicine and research environments.
State-of-the-art simulation
Before entering live clinical situations, students practice on realistic animal models and simulations:
- Dentistry & dental radiography
- Endotracheal intubation
- IV catheterization
- Veterinary anesthesia
- Veterinary CPR
Pathway to a Bachelor's Degree (MASS TRANSFER A2B)
Through our partnership with UMass Amherst, graduates of the HCC Veterinary Technician A.S. program have the opportunity to seamlessly transition into a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Veterinary Technology.
- Timeline: Potentially complete both degrees in just 4 years.
- Benefits: No application fee, eligibility for MassTransfer scholarships, and potential tuition credits.
- Flexibility: While a B.S. is not required for CVT status, this pathway provides a seamless opportunity for those wishing to pursue a Bachelor's Degree to advance their studies.
Flexible Learning for Veterinary Assistants
To support working professionals and busy schedules, the Veterinary Assistant Certificate offers a hybrid format:
- Lectures: Delivered entirely online.
- Labs: Conducted once weekly on-campus for essential hands-on skills.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES 2023-2025
We are proud of our graduates’ success in entering the workforce and their commitment to animal welfare.
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*Unlike most states, certification of veterinary technicians in Massachusetts is voluntary. While we strongly encourage all graduates to sit for the VTNE to advance the profession, many of our students move directly into successful clinical roles without immediate testing, which affects both the number of candidates and reported pass rates.
Resources for current students
Jennifer York
Associate Professor and Chair of the Veterinary & Animal Science Department
jyork@hcc.edu
Dr. Jennifer York is the Chair of the Veterinary & Animal Science Department at HCC. Dr. York graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Resource Management from Pennsylvania State University in 1995. After serving in the Peace Corps, she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in 2004. After graduation from veterinary school, she completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Angell Animal Medical Center, Western New England. She has worked both in small animal clinical practice and shelter medicine. She has interests in wildlife medicine, shelter and community medicine, and high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter. She is a Recover Certified Veterinary CPR instructor.
Dr. York lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband, James, and their kids, Toby and Nora. She loves spending time with her dog Happy and her cats Weeble and Charlotte. In Dr. York's spare time, she enjoys distance running.
Feel free to reach out to her at any time if you have any questions about the programs of the Veterinary & Animal Science department at HCC!
Joshua Hatch, DVM
Assistant Professor, Veterinary & Animal Science Department
Dr. Hatch earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton, Massachusetts, and a Bachelors of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He is a licensed veterinarian who has experience in many aspects of the animal health field.
Dr. Hatch has worked as a private small animal veterinarian in both large and small practices in both Rhode Island and Florida for over a decade. He was previously the staff veterinarian and lead instructor for surgery and anesthesia courses at a veterinary technician program at the Heritage Institute in Fort Myers, Florida, and also served as faculty in Becker College's Veterinary Technician program in Leicester, Massachusetts. Dr. Hatch has worked in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry addressing the need for more FDA-approved products to help alleviate post-surgical pain in small animals. He is passionate about the interconnected aspects of human and animal health and in how developing technologies will continue to influence veterinary medicine, animal care, and the roles our staff will play in the future of the field.
Christine O'Neill, CVT, BSN
Program Veterinary Technician, Veterinary & Animal Science Department
Christine O'Neill is HCC's Department of Veterinary & Animal Science Certified Veterinary Technician. Christine is a graduate of the HCC Veterinary Technician Program. She also has a B.S. in Nursing from the College of Our Lady of the Elms and is a Registered Nurse. Christine served as a clinical instructor in Becker College's Veterinary Technician program beginning in 2012. She has volunteer experience working in wildlife rehabilitation and in shelter medicine. She brings a wealth of experience from human healthcare, animal healthcare, and the vet tech education field to HCC's Vet & Animal Science Department. Her family consists of her, her husband, their menagerie of cats, and her much loved rescue dog, Hannah, who is pictured above, and who you may see on campus from time to time.
Erin Jackson, M.Ed, CVT
Adjunct Instructor and Veterinary Assistant Program Coordinator, Veterinary & Animal Science Department
Erin Jackson is an instructor with HCC's Veterinary Technician program and also is the program coordinator for HCC's Veterinary Assistant program. Erin joined Holyoke Community College as faculty in the fall of 2015. Erin graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2000 with a Bachelor Degree in Animal Science. Upon graduation, she began working as a Veterinary Assistant at Bolton Veterinary Hospital in Connecticut. Through her work at Bolton she moved onto Technicians duties and passed the VTNE in 2005 to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. She continues to work at the practice as a Technician and Outpatient Supervisor. Erin moved on to obtain her Masters Degree in Adult Education from Colorado State University in 2017. Teaching at HCC inspired her to further her own education to benefit her Vet Tech Students.
Erin lives in Connecticut with her husband Chris and daughter Gabrielle. Her household of critters include a multitude of cats, guinea pigs, and chickens along with her dog Chase who can also be found frequently attending class, helping to educate the students. Erin spends her free time at the barn riding horses, which has been her lifelong passion.
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paws-on learning
You will learn state-of-the-art veterinary care techniques – and practice some of them with our very own furry friends.
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passion to career
Turn your passion for helping animals into a lucrative career.
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the anatomy of your future
Veterinary medicine, like medicine for humans, has become radically more sophisticated in the past fifty years. There is an increased need for educated and skilled veterinary technicians to assist the practicing clinician, particularly in specialty/referral centers and emergency/critical care facilities.
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that's a wrap!
HCC's vet tech program provides the complete foundation you need to start a new job as a veterinary technician.
