PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Banfield Pet Hospital®, the world’s largest veterinary practice, and Penn Foster, a leader in career-focused education, recently announced a partnership for affordable Credentialed Veterinary Technician (CVT) programs. Banfield associates pursuing a CVT degree can now enroll in Penn Foster’s veterinary technician program at a discounted rate.
“Banfield believes in supporting the learning and development of our associates and we know that CVTs are essential to our practice and the profession,” said Jeffrey Klausner, DVM, chief medical officer for Banfield. “We hope this partnership will help more veterinary professionals continue their education and professional development toward becoming a veterinary technician.”
Currently, 400 of the 8,000 students enrolled in Penn Foster’s veterinary academy are Banfield associates. The program, tailored for working adults and fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), includes a hands-on practicum, mentoring and guidance at a full-service hospital. Through this partnership, non-Banfield students can complete this practicum at participating Banfield hospitals.
“This collaboration gives our students access to the practical experience they need to excel in the growing veterinary technician field,” said Jim Hurrell, DVM, director of Penn Foster’s Veterinary Academy. “We look forward to working with Banfield to educate the next generation of CVTs.”
Banfield is also piloting a CVT Development Program to pay a percentage of Penn Foster’s tuition for its veterinary assistants, a program it hopes to expand in 2014, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the need for CVTs will increase 52 percent by 2020.
About Banfield Pet Hospital®
Founded in
Portland, Ore., in 1955, Banfield is the largest general veterinary
practice in the world. In 2007, Banfield joined the Mars, Inc. family of
businesses, and today has more than 830 hospitals across the United
States. More than 2,600 veterinarians at Banfield are committed to
giving pets the highest quality of veterinary care. Banfield hospitals
offer a full range of comprehensive medical services, computerized
medical records, preventive care plans for pets and extended operating
hours. Banfield helps extend the lives of millions of pets each year
through Optimum Wellness Plans®. Visit banfield.com for
more information.
About Penn Foster
Founded in 1890, Penn Foster has been a
leader in career-focused distance and hybrid learning for more than 100
years. Since its inception, more than 13 million people have enrolled in
its high school, career school and college to learn advanced skills,
further their education and better position them for life success.
Today, Penn Foster graduates 25,000 students yearly and enrolls more
than 100,000 new students each year in programs designed to address the
skills gap in middle skilled careers. Penn Foster’s high-quality,
affordable distance education allows students the flexibility to
complete programs around their schedules with 24/7 access to a
supportive online community of students and faculty. For more
information, visit www.pennfoster.edu.