By Jada Butler
News Editor
Ever dreamed of a career as a veterinary technician? In a year or three, you might be in luck, as the LIU Post administration has submitted plans to the NY State Department of Education for a veterinary technician program.
Office of the school of veterinary medicine now located in Winnick Mansion.
A vet technician is the assistant or “nurse” to the veterinarian. Vet techs assist the veterinarian in surgery, administer medications or anesthesia, take x-rays, perform dental and laboratory procedures, keep records, restrain animals, and participate in client education and practice management, according to VeterinarianEDU.org. There are currently 10 veterinary technician programs in NY, and each program has a heavily science-based core curriculum. Students will have to be well-rounded in liberal arts and sciences before beginning the program.
At the university gala at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan on June 15, LIU President Kimberly Cline announced to the hundreds of guests, including alumni and university trustees and administrators, that she had signed off an application for the vet tech program just days prior.
Karin Melkonian, chair of the pre-medical sciences advisement committee, confirmed that an application for the vet tech program had been submitted to the state, yet could not offer any further information. Stacy Gropack, dean of the school of health professions and nursing, stated that they are still awaiting “official approval” from the state, and could not officially publicize the program. Robin Sturtz, program director of veterinary technology according to animal facilities director Christopher McAllister, did not respond to the Pioneer’s inquiries.
It has not been confirmed whether the program will be placed in the school of health professions and nursing. A sign placed outside of an office in the Winnick Mansion read, “Office of the Dean, LIU School of Veterinary Medicine,” though
Gropack clarified that the university proposed a program, rather than a school. No other information was given.
The Pioneer submitted a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request to the state during the summer and is awaiting a response. All records led with the state Department of Education are available upon request to the public for inspection, pursuant to the state FOIL law.
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