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Veterinary Technology

  • Starting Cost: $22,463*
  • Apply By: August 17, 2026
  • Classes Start: August 24, 2026
Apply Now
Listen

Veterinary Technology is a rewarding profession that combines a passion for animals with medicine. Veterinary technicians play a vital role in supporting veterinarians and ensuring the well-being of animals in veterinary clinics, hospitals, research facilities, and other settings.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has granted Ridgewater College’s Veterinary Technology program full accreditation. The program has been on full accreditation since 1993.

Students learn skills in:

  • Surgical nursing and anesthesia
  • Laboratory and imaging techniques
  • Clinical pharmacology, physiology and anatomy
  • Patient animal care and kennel management
  • On-site Paws and Claws Preventive Care Clinic
* Tuition/fees and additional costs are approximate and based on 2025-26 school year.
  • 75 credit degree
  • In person on Willmar campus
  • Start in fall
Apply Now
Request Info
Financial Aid

Program Delivery

  • In person
  • Willmar Campus
  • M–F (8 am–4 pm)
  • Fall start only

Program Cost*

Tuition/Fees

  • AAS: $17,474

Additional Costs

  • Books: $2,216
  • Laptop, supplies, and scrubs: $2,773

Program Highlights

  • Admissions Criteria
  • Career Placement Statistics
  • Paws & Claws – On-site preventative care clinic
  • Veterinary Technology Partners

Awards & Certificates

Veterinary Technology AAS

Visit Us Online or In Person

Apr 14

Agriculture Group Orientation and Advising

Willmar
Jun 23

2026 Titan Machinery Diesel Camp

Willmar

Careers & Jobs

  • Veterinary Technician
  • Clinical practice
  • Specialty field
  • Research facilities
  • Practice manager

Faculty

Dr. Jennifer Anderson

Dr. Jennifer Anderson

Program Director, Department Chair
Dr. Jennifer Anderson
Call Email

Dr. Jennifer Anderson

Program Director, Department Chair

Office:  C43 – Willmar

Education history – Degrees and institutions:

B.S; 1996; NDSU – Animal and Range Sciences Chemistry Minor
DVM; 2000; U of Mn, College of Veterinary Medicine

Applicable career history:

Mixed animal veterinarian with South 71 Veterinary Clinics 2000-2003

Professional acknowledgments/honors:

Golden Apple Award
PTK March 2010
Pier-To-Pier Award, February 2012

Year started teaching at Ridgewater:

2003

Amy Bakker, LVT

Amy Bakker, LVT

Veterinary Technology Lab Assistant
Amy Bakker, LVT
Call Email

Amy Bakker, LVT

Veterinary Technology Lab Assistant

Office room number & campus:

C46 – Willmar

Education history – Degrees and institutions:

AAS Degree, Veterinary Technology, Ridgewater College

Year started teaching at Ridgewater:

2001

Dr. Noah Barka

Dr. Noah Barka

Veterinary Technology Instructor
Dr. Noah Barka
Call Email

Dr. Noah Barka

Veterinary Technology Instructor

Office Location:  C47, Willmar Campus

Phone:  612-405-8122

Education history – degrees and institutions:

BS – 2000; University of Minnesota, College of Agriculture
DVM – 2004; University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine

Applicable career history:

Laboratory animal veterinarian with Medtronic, Inc.; 2004-2023

Year started teaching at Ridgewater:

2023

Rachael Desens, LVT

Rachael Desens, LVT

Veterinary Technology Instructor
Rachael Desens, LVT

Rachael Desens, LVT

Veterinary Technology Instructor
Email
Roxanne Graham, LVT

Roxanne Graham, LVT

Program Director, Accreditation CVTEA Liaison
Roxanne Graham, LVT
Call Email

Roxanne Graham, LVT

Program Director, Accreditation CVTEA Liaison

Office room number & campus:

C-46 – Willmar

Education history – Degrees and institutions:

B.A. degree -Governor’s State University, University Park, Illinois

A.A.S. degree-Veterinary Technology, Willmar Technical College

Applicable career history:

Veterinary Technician educator since 2000
Co-Director of Veterinary Technology at Ridgewater College since 2020

Julie Hemen

Julie Hemen

Veterinary Technology Lab Assistant
Julie Hemen
Call Email

Julie Hemen

Veterinary Technology Lab Assistant

Education History – Degrees and Institutions:
AA – University of Minnesota Waseca 1991

Applicable Career History:
Mixed Animal Practice – South 71 Veterinary Clinic

Professional Acknowledgements/Honors:
Golden Apple Award
Pier-to-Pier Award

Year Started:
1995

 

Beth Husman, LVT

Beth Husman, LVT

Program Director, Department Student Support
Beth Husman, LVT
Call Email

Beth Husman, LVT

Program Director, Department Student Support

Office Location:  C Building, C44A, Willmar Campus

Education history – degrees and institutions:

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology, Ridgewater College, Willmar, MN, May 1999
Bachelor of Science Degree, Journalism Major, Art Minor, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, December 1991

Applicable career history:

Co-Program Director of Veterinary Technology at Ridgewater College, 2020 – Present
Veterinary Technician Educator, 2000 – Present
Certified (MN) and Registered (SD) Veterinary Technician, June 2000 – Present
Certified EMT-Basic, Raymond Ambulance, Raymond, MN, June 2008 – April 2013
Bayer Animal Health Communication Project, November 2011
Veterinary Technician Faculty Development Program
Artificial Insemination Certification, 21st Century Genetics, January 1999

Professional acknowledgments/honors:

Yearly Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2010 – Present
Excellence in Leadership Award, Veterinary Technology, Ridgewater College, 1999
Who’s Who Among American College Students Award, 1998-1999

Year started teaching at Ridgewater:

2000

Dr. Kari Keehr

Dr. Kari Keehr

Veterinary Technology Instructor
Dr. Kari Keehr
Call Email

Dr. Kari Keehr

Veterinary Technology Instructor

Education History:

BA: 2000 – Minnesota State University-Moorhead.

Major: Biology Minor: Chemistry

DVM: 2004 – Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Track: Food Animal

Applicable Career History:

2004-2005: Food Animal Veterinarian with Cashton Vet Clinic, Wisconsin.

2005-Present: Food Animal Veterinarian with Waconia Vet Clinic, Minnesota

Year Started Teaching at Ridgewater: 2022

Debi Petersen-Ahrendt, LVT

Debi Petersen-Ahrendt, LVT

Veterinary Technology Lab Assistant
Debi Petersen-Ahrendt, LVT
Call Email

Debi Petersen-Ahrendt, LVT

Veterinary Technology Lab Assistant

Office room number & campus:

C-46 – Willmar

Education history:

University of Minnesota, Waseca in 1989

Year started teaching at Ridgewater:

1994

Sheena Rudenick, LVT

Sheena Rudenick, LVT

Veterinary Technology Lab Assistant
Sheena Rudenick, LVT

Sheena Rudenick, LVT

Veterinary Technology Lab Assistant
Call Email
Kim Tensen

Kim Tensen

Faculty Administrative Assistant
Kim Tensen

Kim Tensen

Faculty Administrative Assistant
Call Email
Jolene Zuidema, LVT

Jolene Zuidema, LVT

Veterinary Technology Lab Assistant
Jolene Zuidema, LVT

Jolene Zuidema, LVT

Veterinary Technology Lab Assistant
Email

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