AAAHT CAREER INFORMATION

What is an AHT?
An Animal Health Technologist (AHT) is a person who has successfully completed a minimum two-year program of study in Animal Health Technology. In Alberta, this program has been in existence since 1974. By assuming patient care and technical duties, the AHT enables the veterinarian to develop as a diagnostician, increase their patient load and better their health care services.

In Alberta there are four AHT programs:

Olds College

NAIT

Lakeland College

Grande Prairie Regional College

These are the only four AHT programs recognized and accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) in Alberta. Entrance requirements to the programs vary slightly from college to college. A grade 12 diploma with Math, English, Chemistry and Biology is required. Related experience such as volunteer work at a vet clinic or work on a farm is necessary.

The program of study includes the following:

Clinical Laboratory Skills

Hematology

Body Fluid Analysis

Clinical Chemistry

Microbiology

Laboratory Mathematics

Quality Control

Operation and Maintenance of Laboratory Equipment

This portion of the training is comparable to the Medical Laboratory Technologist training, with the exception of studying animal specimens, rather than human.

AAAHT Career Information AAAHT Membership Information AAAHT Board of Directors

Where do Animal Health Technologists work?
Many AHTs will be found working in a private veterinary clinic where they generally enjoy a variety of responsibilities. However, because of the diversity of training and skills, an AHT may be employed in many other areas of the animal health industry. The following are examples of where AHTs work:

Universities and Research Institutions

Diagnostic Laboratories

Humane Societies and Pounds

Zoos and Wildlife Sanctuaries

Government Services

Agriculture and Veterinary Laboratories

Boarding Kennels

Pet Stores

Feedlot Operations

Horse Boarding and Training Centres

Ranching and Dairy Companies

Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Companies

Animal Food Companies

As you can see, an Animal Health Technologist (AHT) is a highly trained professional working in the animal health industry with a wide variety of employment opportunities from which to choose!

How do you register as an Animal Health Technologist in Alberta?

Once you've decided that Animal Health Technology is the career for you and you have completed your training, visit the Register in Alberta as an Animal Health Technologist page to find out what is required of you before you start work in Alberta.