2022 Vet Tech grad works as a CLA for her former program
Sarah Vinson, CVT, 44, has received the Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) Alumna of the Year Award for 2024–2025. Sarah completed her Veterinary Technician Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) at DCTC in 2022.
“I am truly honored to be selected for this award,” she said. “My amazing teachers here at DCTC helped me become the best vet tech I can be. My goal has always been to pay this forward into the veterinary technician community.”
Sarah started working as a certified veterinary technician (CVT) at Vet Partners Apple Valley before she graduated from DCTC. Her work in the veterinary-hospital setting is centered on providing comprehensive patient care and treatment for small animals. Her responsibilities include administering anesthesia, monitoring surgery patients, performing dental cleanings and radiographs, administering medications and vaccines, completing in-house lab testing, filling prescriptions, collecting blood from patients, working with Avimark software, and much more.
In January 2024, Sarah took on the role of certified lab assistant (CLA) for the college’s Vet Tech program. She assists vet tech instructors during hands-on procedures with live animals and helps with grading homework. She delivers student support by answering questions and offering guidance/explanations on assignments and tasks.
“In relation to animals we have on campus, my duties include assisting with medical exams, administering medications, performing treatments, collecting samples, running laboratory tests, providing nursing care, assisting with animal restraint, equipment maintenance, maintaining cleaning standards, and record keeping,” she added.
Sarah earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Political Science with a Minor in Speech Communications at the University of Georgia in 2001. She worked as the finance and children’s director at Crossroads Church in Lakeville, Minnesota. Her volunteer work includes previously serving as the adoption coordinator at Protecting Paws Animal Rescue.
During her time as a student in the Vet Tech program, she belonged to the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society and also served as treasurer and then president of the college’s Student Chapter of National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (SCNAVTA). She became a member of the Minnesota Association of Veterinary Technicians (MAVT) after graduating from DCTC.
Sarah Vinson, CVT: Work philosophy
Sarah Vinson, CVT
“I prioritize animal care through continued learning, collaborative teamwork, client education, showing compassion and empathy while practicing ethical veterinary medicine.”
Sarah Vinson, CVT
Class of 2022
Alumna of the Year Award 2024–2025
Dakota County Technical College
Meri Kosman, CVT, LATG: Nominator perspective
“As a student, Sarah took on a leadership role, organizing and leading multiple SCNAVTA events, demonstrating her passion for mentorship and service. Sarah’s dedication to both her professional and personal communities makes her a standout candidate for the Alumna of the Year Award.”
Meri Kosman, CVT, LATG
Interim Program Director
Veterinary Technician Program
Dakota County Technical College
(Nominated Sarah for the annual award.)
More about Sarah…
Sarah and Jeff
Albus
Originally from Lawrenceville, Georgia, Sarah graduated from Central Gwinnett High School, Class of 1998. She has been married to her husband Jeff for 21 years. Jeff works as a category director at the Best Buy corporate office in Richfield. Sarah and Jeff have two sons Alex, 19, and Carter, 17. The family has two two dogs, Gracie and Albus, and two cats, Link and Luigi. The family has fostered around 25 dogs for a local rescue organization.
“All of my animals are rescues, so it’s kind of hard to say what breeds they are,” Sarah said. “We did DNA tests for the dogs, and Gracie’s came back as a beagle-chow. Albus’s came back as white Swiss shepherd, AmStaff [American Staffordshire terrier], boxer, and Doberman mix. Albus is also deaf— he was born that way—and we train him/communicate with him using sign language. For the cats, Luigi is a domestic medium-haired cat. Link is a ragdoll mix.”
In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, relaxing on the beach, going to local festivals in the summer, reading, and volunteering to help animals.
Sarah and her family reside in Lakeville, Minnesota.
Sarah family gallery
Honorable Mention Alumni of the Year Award 2024–2025 Nominees
Ashley Sarne, Class of 2023
Erick Howatt, Class of 2023
Madelyn Lundquist, Class of 2023
Sarah Vinson • Q & A
Sarah Vinson, CVT
What inspired you to choose veterinary science as your career field?
My passion to help animals.
What did you enjoy most about your vet tech studies at DCTC?
Passionate and knowledgeable teachers dedicated to inspiring students.
Three words that describe you as a certified veterinary technician (CVT):
COMPASSIONATE. ADAPTABLE. EMPATHETIC.
What advice would you give nontraditional students thinking about going back to college to a bring about a career change?
It is never too late to learn something new and follow a dream or passion.
What do you like best about your job as a CVT?
Collaborating with coworkers who are also passionate about animal welfare.
What person has influenced your life the most and why?
My husband Jeff. Our relationship has always been one of mutual respect, partnership and support. When the children were old enough for me to go back into the workforce full-time, Jeff supported me going back to school to become a certified vet tech and pursue my passion.
If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?
To find a way for all the people in the world to have their basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing met.
One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:
REDISCOVERY
Sarah Vinson • 12 Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: Walking my dogs
Place you would most like to visit: England- Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Taking my children to Disney World for the first time and experiencing their joy and wonder.
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Share with my family 2) Help friends with financial concerns 3) Open an animal sanctuary
- Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: Docuseries Chimp Empire
- Time period you would explore if you could time travel: 1980s as an adult
- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Take care of my parents and my husband’s parents as they age as well as they took care of us growing up.
Your national bird if you were your own country: Flamingo- Dream occupation: Owner of an animal sanctuary
- Person you would most like to meet: Mother Teresa
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: Playing a musical instrument
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Kindness to others—so many large issues start at this basic concept.
Learn more about the Veterinary Technician program at DCTC by contacting:
Admissions
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266
Room 2-110
Veterinary Technician program
Because the Veterinary Technician program is academically rigorous, you need to be a highly motivated individual to succeed. You must have a better than average ability to master a large course load of scientific and medical materials in a relatively short period of time.
Courses are taught by experienced veterinarians and veterinary technicians using state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that allow for extensive hands-on training with a variety of animal species. After you complete the American Veterinary Association accredited coursework, you will apply your skills by completing a 300-hour internship at an approved veterinary medical facility.
The Veterinary Technician curriculum adapts to meet and serve the needs of all DCTC students. We ensure equal access to our program, and we strive to provide an equitable classroom and online learning environment with access to information for all. We respect and acknowledge the diverse backgrounds and cultures of our students and allow for the opportunity to share experiences, backgrounds, and cultures.
To be eligible to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), you must graduate from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. The AVMA has specific criteria that accredited programs are required to follow; the AVMA criteria are met by the Veterinary Technician program via specific coursework throughout the curriculum. To progress in the Veterinary Technology program, you must achieve at least a “C-” grade in all courses.
Employment in this field typically requires successful completion of the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) licensing exam.
HESI Assessment Exam information
The Veterinary Technician program requires students take the HESI Assessment exam. For more information about the exam, including test dates, times, locations and preparation materials, and instructions on how to create an account and pay for the HESI Assessment, visit the HESI Assessment Exam page. Once the exam fee has been paid, you must contact the Testing Center to indicate the exam date.
Accreditation notice
Following review of the progress report for Dakota County Technical College veterinary technology program, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) elevated the Program to Full accreditation effective November 9, 2024.
VTNE Data
July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2024
- Pass rate: 86.11%
Admissions requirements
- Meet all college admission requirements.
- Complete all first semester Veterinary Technician General Education requirements with a final grade of C- or higher.
- A completed Rabies preexposure vaccination series.
- HESI assessment exam.
- Complete a job shadow at a veterinary facility (4-6 hours).
- Complete job shadow reflection.
- Complete a Veterinary Technician program application.
Work environment
Veterinary technicians play an integral role on a veterinary medical team. Their training and knowledge allow them to work with and support veterinarians, scientists, and researchers in numerous environments, including:
- General practice
- Emergency medicine facility
- Research facilities
- Diagnostic laboratories
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Animal control
- Humane organizations
- Local and state health departments
Veterinary technicians are qualified to deliver numerous skills, including:
- Patient care
- Client education
- Advanced nursing procedures
- Anesthesia maintenance and monitoring
- Surgical assisting
- Laboratory testing
- Emergency care
- Dental prophylaxis
- Radiographic imaging
- And more…
LEARN MORE…
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians is a Bright Outlook Occupation. 🌞
Reported job titles
- Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)
- Emergency Veterinary Technician (Emergency Vet Tech)
- Internal Medicine Veterinary Technician (Internal Medicine Vet Tech)
- Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
- Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)
- Veterinarian Technician (Vet Tech)
- Veterinary Laboratory Technician (Vet Lab Tech)
- Veterinary Nurse (Vet Nurse)
- Veterinary Technician (Vet Tech)
- Veterinary Technologist
WAGES
Minnesota
Workers on average earn $46,370
10 percent of workers earn $36,820 or less
10 percent of workers earn $57,320 or moreUnited States
Workers on average earn $43,740
10 percent of workers earn $30,180 or less
10 percent of workers earn $59,310 or more2023 Wage Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Trends: Minnesota
Employment(2020): 3,250 employees employees
Projected employment (2030): 6,220 employees
Projected growth (2020–2030): 5%
Projected annual job openings (2020–2030): 460Occupational Trends: United States
Employment (2023): 191,500 employees
Projected employment (2033): 208,200 employees
Projected growth (2023–2033): 9 %: Much faster than average
Projected annual job openings(2023–2033): 15,000Visit O*NET OnLine for comprehensive information about the occupation:
Veterinary Technologists and TechniciansSOURCE: O*NET OnLine: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
