About Vet Tech Institute

Learning the right veterinary technician skills is critical for finding a job in the veterinary technician field. The first Vet Tech Institute was part of the Median School of Allied Health Careers, founded in Pittsburgh in 1958. Since then, the Vet Tech Institute has grown to include seven locations across the United States.  

At the Vet Tech Institute, faculty from the seven locations share teaching methods and curriculum improvements. As a result, students at the Vet Tech Institute gain from being part of a larger organization, with the benefits of being in a smaller, local, focused institution.

Throughout 45 years of experience in providing allied health care career training, the mission has remained focused on providing quality education to benefit students, graduates, and health care professionals. 

The Pittsburgh, PA location of the Vet Tech Institute has a reputation that has attracted students from 25 states.  Students benefit from this diversity and also are among peers who share their love for animals.

Graduates of the Vet Tech Institute veterinary technician program have the education and experience that employers are looking for in their employees. For the most recent year, 94% of our available graduates were successfully placed in jobs*.

For the last reporting year**,  92% of our graduates graduated within the normal time for the program. This high rate reflects our committed faculty, hands-on curriculum, and accelerated programs. Compare that number to community colleges graduation rates and you'll see the difference.

The U.S. Department of Education reports that, among first-time, full-time degree- or certificate-seekers attending community colleges:

-11.5% complete in the normal time

-22.0% complete within 150% of the normal time

-28.4% complete within 200% of the normal time.

Further, among bachelor’s degree-seeking students who start full time for the first time at public, 4-year colleges, 29.9% graduate within four years and 54.9% graduate within six years **.

Vet Tech Institute is located in downtown Pittsburgh and has convenient access to public transportation, parking, and recreation. 

Come visit the Vet Tech Institute and see our facilities and meet our animals!

* As of June 30, 2011 for graduates between May 2, 2009 and December 19, 2009
**As of 4-15-11 for cohorts graduating between 7-1-2009 and 6-30-2010
***Knapp, L.G., Kelly-Reid, J.E., and Ginder, S.A. (2010). Enrollment in Postsecondary Institutions, Fall 2008; Graduation Rates, 2002 & 2005 Cohorts; and Financial Statistics, Fiscal Year 2008 (NCES 2010-152). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved July 26, 2011 from http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch.

Barbra Karner, VMD, Medical Director, graduated from Penn State University with a BS in Animal Bioscience, with a portion of her courses  taken at the University of Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia.  Dr. Karner obtained her Veterinary Medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1998 and was honored with multiple awards at that time.  Upon graduation she worked as an Associate Veterinarian at an equine medical practice for 3 years.  She then went into companion animal medical and surgical practice where she stayed as an Associate Veterinarian for 7 years before joining the Vet Tech Institute.  With 10 years in private practice, Dr. Karner understands the important role a veterinary technician plays and strives to ensure that every student reaches his or her full potential.

Carol Stannard, CVT, Program Coordinator, graduated from Median School of Allied Health Careers with an Associate in Specialized Technology Degree.  She is the Program Coordinator and an instructor at the Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh.  She has been working in the veterinary field for almost 30 years, in both large and small veterinary practices and was the office manager for 5 years at Valley Veterinary Service, Inc.  She is certified in Canine Obedience from the National Canine College in Columbus.  Ms. Stannard is an instructor at Vet Tech Institute and teaches courses in anesthesiology, surgical nursing and a course which prepares students to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam.  The combination of Ms. Stannard’s diverse background, her enthusiasm and her outspoken goal of providing high quality education makes her a natural role model for students and an asset to Vet Tech Institute.