Partners with Harcum College
Since 1975, Harcum College has collaborated with Penn Vet at both Ryan Veterinary Hospital and New Bolton Center in an alliance that supports the education and the growth of the veterinary technician field. The Veterinary Technician Program at Harcum College is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The program consists of two years (or four semesters) of classroom learning, but Harcum doesn’t stop there. To graduate from the program, students are required to complete two, three-month practica at both New Bolton Center, Penn Vet's large-animal hospital in Kennett Square, PA, and Ryan Hospital for companion animals, located in Philadelphia. Through this partnership, students are given the important opportunity to use their knowledge in a clinical setting.
During their time at Ryan Hospital, the students rotate through six of the major departments for two-week intervals totaling 12 weeks. The departments include the Emergency Service, Intensive Care Unit, Wards, Anesthesia, Surgery and Radiology.
While at New Bolton Center, the students rotate through the areas of Anesthesia, Surgery, Critical Care, Field Service, General Nursing, Clinical Laboratory and Pathology, as well as several electives, including Dairy and Animal Care.
The nursing staffs at both hospitals are responsible for teaching, guiding, and nurturing our future generation of Certified Veterinary Technicians.
The combination of a stellar education provided by Harcum College in the classroom and the invaluable clinical experience received at Penn Vet has led to hundreds of graduated veterinary technicians over the years.