What's Happening in Portland, OR…

Portland Community College (PCC) is replacing the barn currently in use at its Rock Creek Campus with a new building designed for training veterinary techs.

PCC conducts one of only two Veterinary Technology Programs in the state; the whole of the Pacific Northwest only has five such programs. The demand has grown for vet tech across the county, as veterinary clinics as well as animal shelters scrambled to fill positions even before the pandemic. The new “barn” is expected to increase the number of technicians in the pipeline to address this shortage.

The new facility will include improved teaching space and a higher quality shelter for the farm animals used in the program.

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Funds from the PCC bond measure of 2017 is funding the Vet Tech Barn redevelopment, which is expected to be completed and ready for use by fall of 2023. In addition to extra feeding areas and an expanded animal shelter in the main barn, the new building will also have classrooms and restrooms as well as office and storage space.

Since 1992, The Veterinary Technology Program at PCC has received full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association. The work of veterinary technicians is supervised by licensed veterinarians. It is projected by the Oregon Employment Department that the demand for veterinary technicians in Portland and the surrounding area will increase by 23 percent through 2029.