Veterinary Tech Program Maintains High Standards

Program thrives under new leadership despite pandemic challenges

The Veterinary Technology program at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C^®) continues its march toward academic excellence. Building a bright career path for an emerging generation of veterinary technicians, the program is among the leading veterinary institutes in the state.

The College’s new facility had just opened when Carrie Harviel became program manager near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Harviel hit the ground running, helping expand Tri-C’s outreach into the campus and community. Several new partnerships have been established under her supervision, including partnerships with local shelters and regional government agencies.

"The Veterinary Tech program is well-established at Tri-C and has a reputation for training outstanding veterinary technicians within the local community and beyond," she said. "The national exam passage rate for our graduates is consistently higher than the national average."

Originally accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association in 1998, the program is home to a new state-of-the-art facility and student scholarship in memory of Tri-C President Alex Johnson’s late wife, Daphne, and her commitment to animal health and welfare.

Tri-C leveraged existing technology services and platforms to implement new online services and technologies during the pandemic. For example, video and web conferencing services kept students and professors at a safe distance during on-site classes and labs.

Students are prepared to pursue careers in private practices, emergency clinics, specialty clinics, educational institutions, research facilities, government agencies and zoological parks. They work with companion animals, food animals, horses, laboratory animals and exotic species throughout their time in the program.

"Our new facility, our dedicated faculty and staff and our supportive administration have kept our program thriving," Harviel said. "The demand within our profession for registered, licensed and certified veterinary technicians is very high and likely to increase over time."

May 18, 2022

By Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu