What is the difference between AHT and VT?

The titles: Animal Health Technologist/ Veterinary Technologist/ Veterinary Technician, are acknowledged as a similar training designation. Some associations also recognize a category of RAHT or RVT.

The education/training or employment requirement considered to be ideal is graduation from a Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) accredited program.

Completion of a zoology or biology course will not allow you to gain AHT/VT status.

Animal Health vs Veterinary?

When Animal Health Technicians first became a recognized profession the terminology used was AHT. Some associations in Canada have since changed their name to VT for a couple of reasons. One is the belief that the term ‘Animal Health’ does not portray exactly what a VT does. When the word veterinary is used, it is believed that it better states what field applies to this profession. But, some associations believe that AHT’s do not just work for veterinarians, thus they kept this term. Some associations cannot legally use the word veterinary in their title due to provincial veterinary legislation.

Technologist vs Technician?

Again this is objective, there is the general belief in some educational institutions that: Technology classifies someone that is trained to recognize reasoning behind various tasks as well as how to perform a procedure and has 2-3 years of training vs Technician classifies someone that is trained in a procedure but does not necessarily have an extensive background and has 1 -2 years of training.

Webster’s dictionary definition of:
Technology - the application of scientific knowledge to serve man in industry, commerce, medicine and other fields.
Technical - expert; derived or relating to technique.
Technique - a technical procedure or method of doing something.

In Canada, the use of technician or technologist in the AHT/VT field is recognized as the same.

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  2008-10-08