According to the Centers for Disease Control, Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. Humans, like most other mammals, are susceptible to the Rabies virus. Those who work in the veterinary field are at high risk of exposure to the Rabies virus. As a student in UC Blue Ash’s Veterinary Technology Program, you will be exposed to many animals that could potentially be harboring the Rabies virus.
The CVTEA/AVMA (the accrediting agency for the program) requires that you protect yourself with a prophylactic series of injections prior to entrance into the selective admission clinical course for Veterinary Technicians. Therefore, all students entering the clinical portion of the Vet Tech Program after May 15, 2022 must complete the Rabies pre-exposure vaccination series prior to handling any dogs, cats, or ruminants and/or participating in any clinical placements.
Students should be aware that the Vet Tech Program functions on a model of cooperative care with local humane societies and farms to provide necessary animal preventative care, diagnostics, treatments, and surgery. Students who do not receive the Rabies vaccination may not be able to complete required portions of the Vet Tech Program and therefore may not be able to graduate.