Emily Lemp, a sophomore veterinary technology student at Arkansas State University-Beebe, received a scholarship for an essay she submitted this fall. In addition to the scholarship, Lemp was one out of six in the nation to receive a perfect score on the essay.
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) announced that twenty veterinary technician students across the nation were each awarded $2,500 in tuition assistance as part of the new Tuition for Technicians (T4T) Scholarship Program offered by the NAVTA and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA, Inc.
“We are so very excited that Emily received this scholarship and proud of her achievement. The scholarship will certainly help her with tuition and resources to complete her educational goals,” said Dr. Kristie Coley, director of the veterinary technology program at ASU-Beebe.
Lemp said the essay was on the topic of what being a veterinary technician means and how this career will evolve as time goes on. She wrote about her experience as a zookeeper and how she will use her veterinary technician certification to ultimately work in zoo medicine and exotic animal care.
“I think that writing this essay really helped me realize that I still have a lot to offer to this industry despite my lack of clinical experience, and I can only get better with the knowledge and skills instilled from the vet tech program,” Lemp said.
Lemp received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in biological science with a minor in anthropology. She had an interest in zoology and began working at the Little Rock Zoo to get experience and learn more. She has worked in various areas of the zoo, including caretaker for zebras, anteaters and eastern black rhinoceros.
Lemp became interested in the ASU-Beebe veterinary technology program after working closely with zoo veterinary staff as a keeper. “This program is the only American Veterinary Medical Association accredited program in the state and the zoo’s curator of animal welfare graduated from the program, which further drove me to apply,” Lemp said.
“I have received great support throughout the program, and I have learned so much about the veterinary technician profession,” Lemp said. “This program has dedicated professors who are very accessible to students. They want you to succeed and do everything they can to help you achieve your goals. The main goal of the program is to teach us to provide the best medical care to patients and this program does that by making sure students are equipped with the tools to make that happen.”
Additionally, Lemp recently attended the Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians (AZVT) and was able to purchase online convention recordings, such as the treatment of pyometra in endangered snow leopards, elephant cross matching for blood transfusions, and the difficulties faced in zoo dentistry. “The scholarship has given me a peace of mind to not worry about tuition and focus on my studies,” Lemp said.
For students who are considering entering the program, Lemp advised them to study hard. “It is rigorous learning but well worth all the effort. Instructors are invested in the students to succeed and will help you, but students have to put in the work,” Lemp said.
Lemp’s essay will be published in the NAVTA journal in January 2023. Here is an excerpt from her essay: “Animals need us to act as their voice. I hope to return to the zoo field after earning my stripes in private practice as a CVT. Ultimately, my overarching career goal is to help animals under my care not only meet their basic needs but help them surpass those basic needs and thrive.”
The ASU-Beebe veterinary technology program began in Fall 2007 and graduated the first class in 2009. Full accreditation was awarded in 2014. The American Veterinary Medical Association Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA CVTEA) -accredited programs in veterinary technology must meet the standards of accreditation of the CVTEA to ensure the quality of the educational experience and the assessment of student knowledge and skills.
Boehringer Ingelheim is a research-driven group of companies dedicated to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of innovative health care products. NAVTA is a US-based not-for-profit membership community of more than 8,500 credentialed veterinary technicians, as well as veterinary assistants and other veterinary support staff involved in veterinary care.
