Monaca, PA – Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) is proud to announce that its Veterinary Technology Program has officially been granted Initial Accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), marking a significant milestone for the program and CCBC’s School of Health Sciences.
At its April 23 meeting, the AVMA CVTEA granted Initial Accreditation to the CCBC Veterinary Technology Program, which launched in Fall 2024, following its review of the report of evaluation from a January 21–22, 2026 site visit along with the program’s action plan response.
“This achievement reflects the dedication, expertise, and hard work of our faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners who have worked tirelessly to build a high-quality veterinary technology program,” said Tina Gallup, dean of the school of health sciences. “Initial accreditation from the AVMA CVTEA affirms that our program meets rigorous national standards and prepares students for successful careers in veterinary medicine and animal care.”
The accreditation process included an extensive evaluation of curriculum, facilities, clinical experiences, student outcomes, and program operations. The CVTEA’s decision recognizes CCBC’s commitment to delivering comprehensive, hands-on education that prepares graduates to enter the workforce as skilled veterinary technicians.
CCBC’s Veterinary Technology Program has also benefited from strong partnerships with regional animal care organizations and veterinary facilities that provide students with valuable clinical and experiential learning opportunities. Clinical partners include Center Animal Clinic, Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh, Beaver County Humane Society, Brunton Dairy, Kindred Spirits Rescue Ranch, Rabbit Wranglers, Big Rock Veterinary Hospital, Ready Yourselves Youth Ranch, and Hidden Hill Horse Farm.
“This accreditation milestone is an exciting step forward for our Veterinary Technology program and for the students who are passionate about animal health and care,” said Taylor Lester, program director and lead faculty. “Our team has worked incredibly hard within the first two years to build a program that combines strong academic instruction with hands-on clinical experience, and we’re proud to offer students an accredited pathway into the veterinary profession.”
Programs granted Initial Accreditation are required to continue demonstrating compliance with accreditation standards through ongoing reporting and outcomes assessment. CCBC will submit its next progress report to the CVTEA in Spring 2027, and the next full accreditation site visit is scheduled for 2031.
The college’s Veterinary Technology program provides students with the knowledge and practical experience needed to support veterinarians in a variety of clinical settings, including animal hospitals, specialty practices, laboratories, shelters, and research facilities. Students gain experience in areas such as animal nursing care, laboratory procedures, surgical assisting, radiology, anesthesia, and client communication. The first six graduates of the program earned their associate degrees at Commencement on May 7.
For more information about Veterinary Technology training at CCBC, visit https://ccbc.edu/veterinary-technology/.
