Vet Tech Institute of Houston

The program itself is great. You learn more than what is necessary for your typical vet hospital setting and the hands on experience is exceptional.

However, the schedule is very unforgiving and they do not work with you if you have a job or a family. When it's your husbandry week, you're literally forced to show up to school at 4 am sharp and must stay late until about 430 or 5pm, which makes for an exhausting 12 hour day. You're punished academically if you miss for any reason.

Even though you pay 30 grand for your education, the cost of the state and national tests are not included in the tuition so that's an out of pocket expense you should anticipate upon graduation. These tests are required in order to become licensed and make any kind of livable wages.

Overall, I would strongly suggest just working your way up in a clinic and getting your training that way. The pay as a vet tech is pitiful and again, for the amount of student loans you end up with it just isn't worth it. Get a job as a kennel tech and help out the technicians to gain some knowledge and then apply for a tech position when one becomes available at your clinic (trust me, the turn around in vet med is crazy high and a tech position is always available).

Good luck!