PORTLAND, Ore. — On Friday, Portland Community College (PCC) opened up a new 10,000 square foot barn full of farm animals, where aspiring veterinary technicians can gain hands-on experience before entering the field.
The new, state-of-the-art barn is located at their Rock Creek Campus. PCC said it is needed to address a growing shortage of vet techs.
"We don't have enough veterinary technicians to support our local clinics," said Dr. Ragan Borzcik, the program chair for PCC's veterinary technology program. "Our local clinics are running short-staffed, and they can't see as many pets, which then impacts the community because there are longer wait times."
At DoveLewis Emergency & Specialty Hospital, having enough staffing is critical to delivering high quality care.
"We get to see that dog or that cat or that bird or hamster get to go home with the kid that loves them or the owner that needs them in their life," said Sarah Harris, the patient care director at DoveLewis. "That's the stuff that really feels like magic."
Mars Veterinary Health said by 2030, we will need 40,000 vets and 133,000 vet techs to meet the needs of our nation’s companion animals.
Right now, PCC said they are able to take in 30 students for their veterinary technology program, hoping this new barn will allow them to take in more, as well as host activities with nearby high schools so they reach students early.
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