Veterinary Technician Week Proclaimed

Agriculture and Marketing Minister Ernest Fage today officially proclaimed Oct. 11-16 as Veterinary Technician Week in Nova Scotia.

"Veterinary technicians are vital to the veterinary medicine and animal health fields in Nova Scotia," said Mr. Fage. "I am pleased that we are able to dedicate a week to recognize their contribution to the province's agriculture industry."

Bev Sutherland, president of the Eastern Veterinary Technician Association in Nova Scotia, welcomed the announcement. "We want to make the public aware of the profession and educate people about what qualifications and training are needed to become a veterinary technician. In essence, a vet technician performs a role equivalent to a nurse in a hospital."

Veterinary technicians -- animal health and registered veterinary technologists -- have practised in Canada for more than 28 years. Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia have already proclaimed veterinary technician weeks to recognize the contribution made by the profession.

There are currently 70 members in the Nova Scotia chapter of the Eastern Veterinary Technician Association. At the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, 55 students are majoring in animal health technology, a prerequisite to become a veterinary technician. The agricultural college is the only educational institution in Atlantic Canada where the program is offered.