These paraprofessionals help veterinarians provide top-level care to their clients and patientsA veterinary technician specialist can purse certifications in equine veterinary nursing, among other options. | Lucile VigourouxLast winter a burnt-out groom in my friend circle in Wellington, Florida, announced she was leaving her position at a show barn. When I asked about her next move, she replied, Im gonna take it easy and just go be a vet tech for Dr. X for a few months before looking for another grooming job.The assumption genuinely stunned methat a veterinary technician position, which on paper requires a two-year college degree, state licensing, and medical competencies, could be seen as a step-down or easy alternative to professional equine grooming.Job postings at equine ambulatory practices do sometimes imply that anyone with good basic horse handling abilities can easily learn the necessary skills. Equine veterinary practices often advertise career opportunities using the title of vet tech, and individuals use it as well, even without formal training, a degree, or certification, while still performing the job competently. Despite ambiguity in job titles and descriptions, typically veterinarians are the first to sing the praises of their passionate, valuable technicians and assistantscertified or not.Lets take a behind-the-scenes look at these individuals who work tirelessly to help vets provide top-level care to their patients.Veterinary Assistant vs. Vet TechLets start by tackling the nomenclature debate between the titles veterinary assistant and veterinary technician. Deborah Reeder, LVT, RVT, VTS-EVN, emeritus consultant and online academy program coordinator for the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians and Assistants (AAEVT), made the parallel and distinction between the two professions in a 2024 article for the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) titled Ethical and Professional Utilization of the Credentialed Veterinary Technician and Assistant.Veterinary technicians and assistants play crucial roles in modern veterinary practice, providing essential support to veterinarians while adhering to state-specific regulations, Reeder wrote. Credentialed veterinary technicians, distinguished by their completion of American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-accredited programs and passage of credentialing exams, are qualified to perform various (health care) tasks under veterinary supervision. However, they are not permitted to diagnose, prescribe, or perform surgery, actions she specified remain reserved exclusively to licensed veterinarians.1In contrast, veterinary assistants, often on-the-job trained, contribute by handling clerical duties, animal care, and restraint but lack the formal credentials of technicians, Reeder wrote. She noted that confusion persists regarding titles and licensure, complicating standardization and public understanding. Unlike nurses in human medicine, who hold the title of registered nurse (RN), credentialed veterinary technicians dont share a single, federally recognized title. Instead, states use different acronyms: licensed veterinary technician (LVT), registered veterinary technician (RVT), or certified veterinary technician (CVT). And not all states require credentialing.The Vet Techs EducationBecoming a credentialed veterinary technician in most states involves completing a two-year AVMA-approved associates degree in veterinary technology, successfully passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), administered by the AAVSB (American Association of Veterinary State Boards), and then applying for credentialing with the state veterinary board or licensing authority. Usually, once theyre certified, licensed, or registered, vet techs must attend continuing education (CE) events annually each year, depending on the state.In the equine industry, many employers value hands-on experience over formal education, a trend that seems to extend to veterinary assistance roles. However, while credentials appear to be more common in small animal practice, some industry professionals say they believe acquiring accreditation can be worthwhile for equine veterinary assistants, too. Completing an accredited veterinary technology program benefits the entire veterinary fi eld, says Eli Olind, LVT, president of the AAEVT. Credentialed veterinary technicians (CrVTs) have a deeper understanding of the why behind the how, with advanced knowledge in pharmacology, diseases, and identifying normal versus abnormal conditions. This results in shorter training periods at new clinics, more effective use in technician appointments, and, for states with board-regulated credentialing, added liability protection for veterinarians and practice owners.Olind considers credentialization a win-win, with the sacrifices being the time (about two years) and the funds ($5,000-$15,000 for in-state tuition) required to achieve it.Licensing and Legislation VaryCredentialing requirements for individuals working in veterinary assistant or tech positions in 2025 remain up to each stateno federal mandate exists. Nonetheless, the industry has seen a shift over the past decade, which Aurora Sochan, CVT, VTS-EVN (veterinary technician specialist in equine veterinary nursing), who owns In Gait Equine, an equine rehabilitation and physiotherapy service based in New London, New Hampshire, says she has witnessed firsthand. More states are moving towards requiring the credentialing of technicians, she says. Fully utilizing (credentialed) technicians generally leads to vastly improved job fulfillment, better compensation, and retention of technicians in the industry.To address the mismatch between qualifications and utilization of vet techs, the AAEVT developed Guidelines for the Utilization of the CrVT, available at AAEVT.org.1 The goal of this educational document is to support CrVTs in practicing at the top of their licenses, Olind says. The document lists running fluids, administering maintenance medications, removing sutures, changing bandages, collecting blood, and performing shock wave, laser, and rehabilitation treatments as tasks CrVTs can handle.In addition to horse handling and care, veterinary assistants often also help with clerical and office duties. | Adobe stockCollectively as a profession, we underutilize veterinary assistants and veterinary technicians when compared to our human (nurse) counterparts, says Michael Fugaro, VMD, Dipl. ACVS, owner of Mountain Pointe Equine Veterinary Services, an ambulatory practice based in Long Valley, New Jersey. He says assistants and techs can provide increased productivity, efficiency, camaraderie, and improved customer experience. Hes only had one CVT on staff and says this employee worked in a managerial position. Assistants make up the rest of his teama common setup in ambulatory practice.Veterinary assistants and technicians both play a huge role in the overall success of a veterinarian, says Fugaros associate Jessica Martin, DVM, cIVCA (certified in veterinary chiropractic). We trust them daily with our safety and that of our patients, and count on them for support and efficiency in our diagnostics and treatments.Vet Techs and Career GrowthSochan dedicated 20 years to the vet tech fi eld, pursuing additional training and VTS-EVN certifi cation. The VTS also offers certifications in anesthesia, behavior, clinical practice, dentistry, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, laboratory medicine, nutrition, ophthalmology, pathology, physical rehab, surgery, and zoological medicine.At a point in her life when she says she needed a sustainable position utilizing her knowledge and skills, Sochan traded in hospital scrubs to pursue a career in equine physiotherapy and rehabilitation. In 2024, following completion of the Equine Rehabilitation Certificate Program (CERP) at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, she established In Gait Equine.Sochan sees her time as a vet tech as invaluable to her success today, noting that employers who understand and value the VTS certification can have greater confidence in a technicians ability to perform advanced procedures, care for critical patients, train other technicians, and educate clients. VTS graduates also have opportunities for teaching, lecturing, publishing, and taking on management roles, she says. Its an asset that should enhance your value as a technician and entitle you to more compensationalthough it does not guarantee it.Compensation GapsThe AAEP has reported equine veterinarians continue to work longer, more unpredictable hours for lower pay than their small animal colleagues. This disparity extends to their support team, affecting equine veterinary assistants and technicians. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the 2024 median annual wage for veterinary technicians and veterinary technologists (those with a four-year bachelors degree) was $45,980, or $22.11 per hour.2 Equine-specific roles often fall on the lower end of that scale. Some equine techs anecdotally report earning $15$18/hour in rural ambulatory settings. The equine veterinary industry continues to advocate for better compensation and work-life balance for animal health professionals, evidenced by opinions voiced in the most recent National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) survey.NAVTAs Survey ResultsRecently NAVTA released results of its 2024 Demographic Survey, providing a look at the current state of the vet tech profession. While not specific to the equine space, the survey underscores common findings related to veterinary technicians across sectors.Results show an emphasis on credentialization. A large majority (83%) of respondents have credentials, most from AVMA-accredited programs. Ninety percent support a standardized national credential, and 93% advocate for protecting the veterinary technician title for those meeting required standards. Forty-eight percent said they feel little distinction exists between credentialed vet techs and uncredentialed support staff.Despite some wage growth, low income remains a top concern, with vet techs average annual income currently reported at $53,759. Thirty-nine percent of respondents cited low pay as the biggest challenge, and 56% called it the most urgent issue. Job satisfaction has declined in the past two years, with 8% reporting being extremely satisfied in 2024, down from 25% in 2022. Eighty-eight percent reported having compassion fatigue. Financial stress, burnout, and limited self-care all compound the issue.Overall, the 2024 survey reveals a devoted but overextended and underpaid workforce. Beckie Mossor, RVT, NAVTA president, said in a press release that this data highlights the critical need for eff orts to support veterinary technicians: By advocating for standardized credentials, better compensation, and enhanced wellness programs, we can help ensure that veterinary technicians are valued and supported in their vital roles.Final ThoughtsEquine vet techs and assistants do much more than handle horses; they support practice success, efficiency, and safety. As demand for credentialed professionals grows and formal training proves valuable, data show these careers remain undervalued and underpaidespecially in equine practice.References1. American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians and Assistants. Guidelines for the utilization of the credentialed registered veterinary technician (CRVT). Accessed June 11, 2025. tinyurl.com/y73dppxt2. Washington (DC): U.S. Department of Labor. Veterinary technologists and technicians. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed June 11, 2025. tinyurl.com/zpca73xhThis article is from the Fall 2025 issue ofThe Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care. We at The Horse work to provide you with the latest and most reliable news and information on equine health, care, management, and welfare through our magazine and TheHorse.com. Your subscription helps The Horse continue to offer this vital resource to horse owners of all breeds, disciplines, and experience levels. To access current issues included in your subscription, please sign in to theAppleorGoogleapps ORclick herefor the desktop version.