UC Blue Ash Vet Tech Lab Assistant Earns a First in Ohio

Kelly Vearil is the first person in Ohio to earn a Veterinary Technology Specialty (VTS) in dentistry.

Vearil is a senior lab associate in the Veterinary Technology (Vet Tech) Program at UC Blue Ash College. She was one of just a dozen Vet Tech professionals who were eligible to sit for a national board exam this year. On average, only three or four candidates typically pass the exam.

The process for earning a VTS is rigorous. It includes a two-year mentorship with a specialist in the field, 40 hours of continuing education and a "credentials packet" that requires five case studies and 50 case logs and radiographs.

“Just qualifying to sit for the national board exam is quite an accomplishment,” said Jennifer Wells, DVM, chair of the Veterinary Technology Department at UC Blue Ash. “We are very proud of Kelly for being the first in Ohio to earn this specialty.”

Vearil says she had a very simple reason for advancing her education, “My motivation is always our students. I want to inspire them by setting an example in my profession and my community.”

Dentistry plays an important role in veterinary care. Students in the Vet Tech program at UC Blue Ash learn how to evaluate the teeth of cats and dogs to identify oral medical conditions, clean and polish teeth, and take oral radiographs. These procedures all work together to better support the overall health of the animal.

Of the thousands of Vet Tech professionals in the U.S., only 57 are credentialed with a VTS in dentistry. This is a key reason Vearil has been asked to present at the National Veterinary Dental Forum in Atlanta later this year (Nov. 13-15).

Vet Tech students learn how to provide general wellness care for animals, including vaccinations, diagnostic testing and surgery support. They pursue opportunities in a variety of veterinary venues, including veterinary offices; industrial and medical research institutions; zoos; and the military. More information about the Vet Tech program at UC Blue Ash is available at

www.ucblueash.edu

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UC Blue Ash College is a regional college within the University of Cincinnati. It offers one of the best values in higher education with access to a nationally recognized UC education in nearly 50 degrees and certificates, as well as tuition that is about half of most colleges and universities. The college is located on a scenic 135-acre wooded campus in the heart of Blue Ash, Ohio. To learn more, call 513-745-5600, visit us online at www.ucblueash.edu, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.