# Online vet tech program? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 14, 2013, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-vet-tech-program/647212 "2013-01-14T19:56:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2013, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-vet-tech-program/647212/1 "2013-01-14T19:56:24Z")
How do you earn a degree/certificate as a veterinary assistant through an online program? I used to wonder this when Sally Struthers advertised one. I’m seeing others on TV these days. What do they do, mail you a hamster in a shoebox to practice on? ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2013, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-vet-tech-program/647212/2 "2013-01-14T20:01:28Z")
You can get certified as a veterinary assistant, but that would be distinct from a veterinary _technician._ I guess a certified veterinary assistant would get a very nice job cleaning up shitty kennels. You probably wouldn’t get to do any practicing medicine unless you were a Vet Tech. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > What do they do, mail you a hamster in a shoebox to practice on? Do you think so!!! Because…well, n/m. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2013, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-vet-tech-program/647212/3 "2013-01-14T22:56:39Z")
I believe the reasonably-reputable online courses can only be completed if you have access to a veterinarian willing to supervise you, and suitable patients on which to practice. For example, if someone is employed as a vet assistant or receptionist at a vet clinic, and wants to become certified [on the job](http://www.vet.purdue.edu/vettech/). ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2013, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-vet-tech-program/647212/4 "2013-01-14T23:08:13Z")
I wouldn’t have thought it was possible but I know a know a woman who became a Physical Therapist Assistant through an online program - which included having to travel to the school several times for her labs, in addition to the clinicals, where you go practice at a work site (hospital, for example). she believes she got an excellent education and it was a good deal, financially.