YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Eastern Gateway Community College is adding a new program to their campuses in Youngstown and Steubenville.

EGCC announced the addition of a veterinary technician associate degree program Thursday.

The program will begin during the Fall 2021 Semester but students can apply for the program and begin taking prerequisites in January.

Vet Techs assist veterinarians with care of companion, large and exotic animals. EGCC is partnering with Angels for Animals in Canfield for clinical experience for students.

"For us, there is no better job in the world than working with animals. Their unconditional companionship not only delights us, but inspires us to offer them exceptional care every day," said Diane Less, co-founder of Angels for Animals. "We are excited to partner with Eastern Gateway Community College to prepare students in our area to enter this amazing field."

The vet tech program includes 13 hours of prerequisites and a variety of field experience in clinic or hospitals settings, large animal farms, or adoption shelters.

This is the second new program to be offered at EGCC in 2020 after social work classes began in Fall 2020.