Great Falls College MSU’s Veterinary Technician program has received a $250,000 workforce training grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

The grant is part of USDA’s agriculture and food research initiative investing in training at community colleges through its education and workforce development program area.

The vet tech program is new for the college and the grant helped develop an online curriculum cover the cost of initial accreditation, attend conferences, and purchase software, simulation models and online library materials, according to Julie Barnwell, health sciences division director at GFC.

The college’s vet office program is midway through its first semester with 26 students, according to the college.

University looking at starting veterinary medicine school in Great Falls [2023]

During the first semester, students acquire an understanding of the office duties and communication skills needed as they earn a certificate of technical studies in veterinary office. They also are learning the foundational knowledge needed to be successful in the veterinary technician program, according to the college.

The students will officially apply to the vet tech program as they finish the veterinary office certificate and will continue taking the classroom portion of the program online and will pair with approved veterinary partners for the required hands-on skills.

The USDA grant will also help the college bring approved vet partners to Great Falls for training, Barnwell said in a release. The grant will also help the college provide video equipment students need to film their hands-on assignments for instructors to review.

The college started the program after hearing from vets that there was a shortage of vet techs in Montana and the college needs vets to help grow the next generation of those vet techs, according to a release.

Late last year, Great Falls Development Alliance was working with Roseman University of Health Sciences, which was interested in evaluating the need for a veterinary school in Great Falls.

Brett Doney of GFDA told The Electric on Nov. 6 that the vet school is on hold but are working on other health related higher education possibilities.

In the longterm, Doney said GFDA is excited about the potential for a vet school in Great Falls, but in the meantime, the USDA grant was a boost for the colleges new vet tech program.

Great Falls College is celebrating vet tech week this week.

For questions about the program or those who are interested in becoming an approved veterinary partner, contact  Annie Bryan, vet tech program director, at annie.bryan@gfcmsu.edu or 406-771-5155.