History of Veterinary History of Veterinary TechniciansTechnicians

In the BeginningIn the Beginning

19081908

The Canine Nurses Institute in England makes The Canine Nurses Institute in England makes an organized effort to train veterinary an organized effort to train veterinary assistantsassistants

Veterinary NurseVeterinary Nurse

A veterinarian would A veterinarian would take anyone off the take anyone off the street and teach them street and teach them what they wanted them what they wanted them to know.to know.

These were the first These were the first veterinary assistantsveterinary assistants

19601960

The American Association of Laboratory The American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certifies 3 levels of Animal Science (AALAS) certifies 3 levels of on- the job- trained animal technicians on- the job- trained animal technicians employed in research institutionsemployed in research institutions

Assistant laboratory technician (ALAT)Assistant laboratory technician (ALAT)

Laboratory animal technician (LAT)Laboratory animal technician (LAT)

Laboratory animal technologist (LATG)Laboratory animal technologist (LATG)

19611961

The first animal technician education program The first animal technician education program is established at the State University of New is established at the State University of New York (SUNY) Agricultural and Technical York (SUNY) Agricultural and Technical School at DelhiSchool at Delhi

The U.S. Army forms the Veterinary/Animal The U.S. Army forms the Veterinary/Animal Care Specialist (91T) course at Walter Reed Care Specialist (91T) course at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, DCArmy Institute of Research in Washington, DC

1962-681962-68

Ralston Purina developed the first Animal Ralston Purina developed the first Animal Technician Training Correspondence Course Technician Training Correspondence Course for training laboratory animal technicians in for training laboratory animal technicians in the U.S. the U.S.

19631963

First graduating class of animal technicians First graduating class of animal technicians from SUNY Delhifrom SUNY Delhi

8 students in the class8 students in the class

19651965

The British Veterinary Nurses Association The British Veterinary Nurses Association (BVNA) is established(BVNA) is established

Walter Collins, DVM receives federal funding Walter Collins, DVM receives federal funding to develop a model curriculum for training to develop a model curriculum for training veterinary techniciansveterinary technicians

He produces several guides over the next 7 He produces several guides over the next 7 yearsyears

19651965

The American Veterinary Medical Association The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Executive Board decides officially (AVMA) Executive Board decides officially that the adjective “veterinary” should not be that the adjective “veterinary” should not be used with the nouns “technician” or “assistant” used with the nouns “technician” or “assistant”

nor should the AVMA approve instructional nor should the AVMA approve instructional programs programs

Father of Veterinary TechnologyFather of Veterinary Technology

Walter Collins, DVMWalter Collins, DVM

Fall 1964 - Becomes a Fall 1964 - Becomes a faculty member in the faculty member in the Animal Science Animal Science Technology Department Technology Department at SUNY Delhiat SUNY Delhi

1967 – Became director 1967 – Became director of the programof the program

1965-731965-73

U.S. Army Veterinary/Animal Care Specialists U.S. Army Veterinary/Animal Care Specialists (91T) are assigned to multiple medical and (91T) are assigned to multiple medical and veterinary detachments and are deployed to veterinary detachments and are deployed to Vietnam, where they provide paraprofessional Vietnam, where they provide paraprofessional veterinary care to hundreds of military veterinary care to hundreds of military animals.animals.

They also carry out civic action programs to They also carry out civic action programs to support indigenous livestocksupport indigenous livestock

19671967

The AVMA Executive Board charges its The AVMA Executive Board charges its council on education with establishing criteria council on education with establishing criteria for acceptable animal technician training for acceptable animal technician training programs and its judicial council with the programs and its judicial council with the responsibility for developing a model practice responsibility for developing a model practice actact

Ridgetown College in Ontario establishes a Ridgetown College in Ontario establishes a provincially approved veterinary technology provincially approved veterinary technology program program

19681968

The AVMA Advisory Committee on Animal The AVMA Advisory Committee on Animal Technicians urges all state veterinary medical Technicians urges all state veterinary medical associations to establish advisory committees associations to establish advisory committees on animal technicians. on animal technicians.

23 states comply by 196923 states comply by 1969

19681968

4 new veterinary technology programs are 4 new veterinary technology programs are established in the USestablished in the US

Michigan State UniversityMichigan State University Colorado Mountain CollegeColorado Mountain College East Central Carolina Community College East Central Carolina Community College Nebraska College of Technical AgricultureNebraska College of Technical Agriculture

19691969

The First Symposium on Animal Technician The First Symposium on Animal Technician Training Programs is held at Michigan State Training Programs is held at Michigan State UniversityUniversity

The Canadian Association for Laboratory The Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS) begins national Animal Science (CALAS) begins national certification plans for laboratory animal certification plans for laboratory animal technicians technicians

19701970

The New York State Association of Animal The New York State Association of Animal Health Technicians (NYSAHT) is formed by Health Technicians (NYSAHT) is formed by the graduating class of SUNY Delhithe graduating class of SUNY Delhi

The Canadian Association of Animal Health The Canadian Association of Animal Health Technicians (CAAHT) is formedTechnicians (CAAHT) is formed

19721972

The AVMA House of Delegates votes to The AVMA House of Delegates votes to accredit training programs for animal accredit training programs for animal technicianstechnicians

The Committee on Accreditation of Training The Committee on Accreditation of Training for Animal Technicians (CATAT) is formed for Animal Technicians (CATAT) is formed and takes on this responsibilityand takes on this responsibility

19731973

The first 2 programs that are accredited by the The first 2 programs that are accredited by the AVMA are those at Michigan State University AVMA are those at Michigan State University and Nebraska College of Technical and Nebraska College of Technical AgricultureAgriculture

The Association of Animal Technician The Association of Animal Technician Educators (AATE) is formedEducators (AATE) is formed

19731973

The AVMA House of Delegates passes a The AVMA House of Delegates passes a resolution proposing “registration” but not resolution proposing “registration” but not “licensure” of animal technicians“licensure” of animal technicians

The Committee on Accreditation for Training The Committee on Accreditation for Training of Animal Technicians changes its name to the of Animal Technicians changes its name to the Committee on Animal Technician Activities Committee on Animal Technician Activities and Trainingand Training

19751975

The AATE constitution is adopted and the first The AATE constitution is adopted and the first officers are electedofficers are elected

19761976

CATAT is recognized by the U.S. Office of CATAT is recognized by the U.S. Office of Education as the accrediting body for animal Education as the accrediting body for animal technician training programstechnician training programs

New York State passes the first law licensing New York State passes the first law licensing animal health techniciansanimal health technicians

The first professional journal for veterinary The first professional journal for veterinary technicians is publishedtechnicians is published

19761976

New York State’s licensing exam consisted of New York State’s licensing exam consisted of 2 parts2 parts A written exam, given in Albany, which had to be A written exam, given in Albany, which had to be

passed then,passed then, A hands on practical exam, given at the Veterinary A hands on practical exam, given at the Veterinary

College at Cornell, which consisted of an College at Cornell, which consisted of an identification slide show (fill in the blank) and identification slide show (fill in the blank) and hands on demonstration on live animalshands on demonstration on live animals

19771977

The first written examination for animal health The first written examination for animal health technicians in the state of New York is technicians in the state of New York is administeredadministered

19781978

The first “hands on” practical examination for The first “hands on” practical examination for animal health technicians is administered in animal health technicians is administered in the state of New Yorkthe state of New York

The AVMA adds a continuing education The AVMA adds a continuing education section for veterinary technicians at its annual section for veterinary technicians at its annual conventionconvention

19801980

At the annual AVMA convention, members of At the annual AVMA convention, members of an ad hoc committee composed of an ad hoc committee composed of representatives from the US and Canada representatives from the US and Canada discuss the idea of forming a US-Canadian discuss the idea of forming a US-Canadian veterinary technicians association. veterinary technicians association.

19811981

The North American Veterinary Technician The North American Veterinary Technician Association (NAVTA) is formedAssociation (NAVTA) is formed

The Association of Zoo Veterinary The Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians is formedTechnicians is formed

The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is formed(VHMA) is formed

19821982

CALAS creates a plan for the voluntary CALAS creates a plan for the voluntary registration of laboratory animal techniciansregistration of laboratory animal technicians

NAVTA adopts its first official journal, “The NAVTA adopts its first official journal, “The Compendium on Continuing Education for the Compendium on Continuing Education for the Animal Health Technician” Animal Health Technician”

19841984

NAVTA adopts a national code of ethics for NAVTA adopts a national code of ethics for veterinary techniciansveterinary technicians

The “Compendium on Continuing Education The “Compendium on Continuing Education for Animal Health Technician” is changed to for Animal Health Technician” is changed to Veterinary TechnicianVeterinary Technician

19851985

The AVMA Executive Board establishes the The AVMA Executive Board establishes the Animal Technician Testing Committee, which Animal Technician Testing Committee, which generates the National Technician National generates the National Technician National Exam (NATE) in conjunction with Exam (NATE) in conjunction with Professional Education Services (PES)Professional Education Services (PES)

The Association of Animal Technician The Association of Animal Technician Educators (AATE) changes its name to the Educators (AATE) changes its name to the Association of Veterinary Technician Association of Veterinary Technician Educators (AVTE)Educators (AVTE)

19861986

The first Animal Technician National Exam The first Animal Technician National Exam (ATNE) was given in Maine(ATNE) was given in Maine

19881988

CALAS implements a testing and registration CALAS implements a testing and registration plan for laboratory animal techniciansplan for laboratory animal technicians

The AVMA votes no to a resolution that The AVMA votes no to a resolution that would change terminology from “animal would change terminology from “animal technician” to “veterinary technician”technician” to “veterinary technician”

19891989

The AVMA House of Delegates approves the The AVMA House of Delegates approves the use of the term “use of the term “veterinary technician”, veterinary technician”, which which replaces “replaces “animal technician”animal technician”

This results in the following changes:This results in the following changes: CATAT (the Committee on Animal Technician CATAT (the Committee on Animal Technician

Activities and Training) is changed to the Activities and Training) is changed to the Committee On Veterinary Technician Education Committee On Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) and Activities (CVTEA)

19891989

The Animal Technician Testing Committee (ATTC) is The Animal Technician Testing Committee (ATTC) is changed to the Veterinary Technician Testing changed to the Veterinary Technician Testing Committee (VTTC)Committee (VTTC)

The Animal Technician National Exam (ATNE) is The Animal Technician National Exam (ATNE) is renamed the Veterinary Technician National Exam renamed the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)(VTNE)

19891989

The Canadian Association of Animal Health The Canadian Association of Animal Health Technologists and Technicians is formedTechnologists and Technicians is formed

19901990

NAVTA adopts its official mission statement NAVTA adopts its official mission statement and begins a strategic planning processand begins a strategic planning process

NAVTA produces the “World Of the NAVTA produces the “World Of the Veterinary Technician” videotapeVeterinary Technician” videotape

19921992

In England, Parliament approves a change in In England, Parliament approves a change in the nomenclature from Royal Animal Nursing the nomenclature from Royal Animal Nursing Auxiliaries to Registered Veterinary NurseAuxiliaries to Registered Veterinary Nurse

The Ontario Association of Veterinary The Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians act is passed, recognizing the title Technicians act is passed, recognizing the title Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

19921992

The NAVTA Executive Board declares the The NAVTA Executive Board declares the third week in October to be National third week in October to be National Veterinary Technician week Veterinary Technician week

19931993

NAVTA creates the Committee on Veterinary NAVTA creates the Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties (CVTS) to oversee the Technician Specialties (CVTS) to oversee the development of specialty certificationdevelopment of specialty certification

The first “National Veterinary Technician The first “National Veterinary Technician Week” is celebrated (Oct 16-22)Week” is celebrated (Oct 16-22)

The American Society of Veterinary Dental The American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians is formed Technicians is formed

19941994

The American Association of Veterinary State The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) replaces the AVMA in the Boards (AAVSB) replaces the AVMA in the oversight of the VTNEoversight of the VTNE

Canadian provincial associations agree on Canadian provincial associations agree on complete reciprocity of credentials for its complete reciprocity of credentials for its membersmembers

19941994

The AVMA accredits the first distance The AVMA accredits the first distance learning program in veterinary technology at learning program in veterinary technology at St. Petersburg Junior CollegeSt. Petersburg Junior College

The Japanese Veterinary Nurses and The Japanese Veterinary Nurses and Technicians Association is establishedTechnicians Association is established

19941994

NAVTA grants the first provisional specialty NAVTA grants the first provisional specialty in veterinary technology. The Academy of in veterinary technology. The Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care TechniciansTechnicians

19961996

NAVTA is named co-sponsor of National Pet NAVTA is named co-sponsor of National Pet WeekWeek

19981998

The Northeast Veterinary Technician The Northeast Veterinary Technician Educators Association (NVTEA) is formedEducators Association (NVTEA) is formed

NAVTA holds its first state representative NAVTA holds its first state representative workshop. Attending were representatives workshop. Attending were representatives from 27 states and Canadafrom 27 states and Canada

19991999

Eighty programs of veterinary technology are Eighty programs of veterinary technology are accredited by the AVMAaccredited by the AVMA

The AVMA incorporates language The AVMA incorporates language recommended by NAVTA in the AVMA’s recommended by NAVTA in the AVMA’s model practice act, which delineates the roles model practice act, which delineates the roles of the veterinary technician and veterinary of the veterinary technician and veterinary asistantasistant

19991999

The American Association of Laboratory The American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) creates National Animal Science (AALAS) creates National Laboratory Animal Technician Week Laboratory Animal Technician Week

NAVTA recognizes the Academy of NAVTA recognizes the Academy of Veterinary Technician AnesthetistsVeterinary Technician Anesthetists

20002000

The International Veterinary Nurses and The International Veterinary Nurses and Technicians Association (IVNTA) holds its Technicians Association (IVNTA) holds its annual general meeting in the USannual general meeting in the US

The bylaws of the Veterinary Technician The bylaws of the Veterinary Technician Cancer Society are approvedCancer Society are approved

86 programs are accredited by the AVMA 86 programs are accredited by the AVMA including 2 distance learning programsincluding 2 distance learning programs

20022002

NAVTA’s Committee on Veterinary Technician NAVTA’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties recognizes the Academy of Veterinary Specialties recognizes the Academy of Veterinary Dental TechniciansDental Technicians

The North American Veterinary Technician The North American Veterinary Technician Association changes its name to the National Association changes its name to the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in AmericaAssociation of Veterinary Technicians in America

The first issue of the The first issue of the NAVTA Journal NAVTA Journal is releasedis released

20022002

AALAS and the International Council for AALAS and the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS) work Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS) work together to acknowledge technicians for their together to acknowledge technicians for their role in biomedical researchrole in biomedical research

Laboratory Animal Technician week is Laboratory Animal Technician week is expanded and renamed International expanded and renamed International Laboratory Animal Technician Week Laboratory Animal Technician Week

20032003

103 veterinary technology programs are 103 veterinary technology programs are accredited by the AVMAaccredited by the AVMA

ReferencesReferences

2003 CD-ROM 2003 CD-ROM History Project History Project by Dan Walsh by Dan Walsh and Roger L. Lukens (AVTE historians)and Roger L. Lukens (AVTE historians)

AVMAAVMA

NAVTANAVTA

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