From Classroom to Clinic: Animal Hospital of Stateville and Iredell-Statesville Schools Foster a Skilled Vet Tech Pipeline
Published: July 31, 2025
Animal Hospital of Statesville (AHS) is an 8-doctor, AAHA accredited, progressive veterinary practice. It has provided medical care for animals in Iredell County and the surrounding areas since 1974. AHS is dedicated not only to administering excellent care, but also to educating the next generation of veterinary professionals. The Animal Hospital offers several training pathways, including a pre-veterinary school externship, a veterinary technician pre-apprenticeship, and a veterinary technician Registered Apprenticeship.
The pre-apprenticeship, sponsored by Iredell-Statesville Schools, is available to students who are 16 or older. In addition to its partnership with AHS, Iredell-Statesville Schools also offers pre-apprenticeship tracks through Harbor Point Animal Hospital and Aloha Veterinary Hospital. Todd Williams, Executive Director of Industry, Trade, and Business Development, Iredell-Statesville Schools, views the vet tech program as a logical step for individuals interested in the veterinary field. “It gives the students an opportunity to explore the career path. It also shows them the options available to them to continue their educations.”
Exceptional veterinary technicians must possess more than a love for animals to have successful careers. They require strong constitutions in the face of distressing situations, empathy and professionalism when communicating with pet owners, and sharp technical skills to provide high-quality medical care. These are all qualities AHS instills in its vet tech pre-apprentices and apprentices.
As part of the pre-apprenticeship program, students complete a 135-hour seated course and 300 hours of on-the-job learning at AHS or another participating employer. Under the guidance of experienced mentors, the students receive comprehensive instruction in more than 70 essential skills. Upon program completion, students are eligible to sit for the Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) credentialing exam.
Williams praises the collaboration between the school system and AHS. “It’s very exciting when you have employers like these folks [AHS] who are willing to go that extra mile and train the future workforce.” Students who wish to continue to pursue Veterinary Technician careers can advance into Animal Hospital of Statesville’s Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).
The program offers students the chance to gain valuable, hands-on work experience while attending college courses in veterinary technology. Upon program completion, apprentices sit for state and national boards, earning certification as Registered Veterinary Technicians. They also receive Journeyworker credentials—portable, nationally recognized certifications of occupation master.
Diane Sprinkle, a Registered Veterinary Technician at AHS, became visibly emotional when reflecting on her experience mentoring pre-apprentices and apprentices. “When they tell me they want to go on either to tech or vet school, I feel like I’ve made a difference in that child’s life, and I just love that and showing them things for the first time.”
The pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship have proven beneficial to both Iredell-Statesville students and AHS, “I’ve been here [at AHS] for 39 years,” Laura Baker, Business/Finance Administrator, Animal Hospital of Statesville, explains. “Before we implemented the program, kids would call and ask to shadow. We had our own checklist of things for them to learn, but we were working on a case-by-case basis. When we partnered with the school for the pre-apprenticeship, it was more structured, easier to follow, and gave us a way to get our name out into the schools… students don’t get actual experience talking to clients or treating patients in school. So, when they come here to complete the clinical hours, they really are gaining skills they couldn’t have through regular classes.”
Partnerships like that between AHS and Iredell-Statesville Schools will serve as models of success as the demand for skilled veterinary technicians continues to grow. It was because of the pre-apprenticeship’s success that AHS decided to register their veterinary technician apprenticeship. By investing in future professionals today, AHS ensures a skilled, knowledgeable workforce for tomorrow. Together with Iredell-Statesville Schools, the Animal Hospital of Statesville is preparing students for long-term success while introducing them to the various educational opportunities available to them.
About ApprenticeshipNC: Recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship to act on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor, ApprenticeshipNC is the State Apprenticeship Agency authorized to register apprenticeship programs tailored to meet employers’ needs.
About Iredell-Statesville Schools: With more than 20,000 students, Iredell-Statesville Schools ranks among the 20 largest school districts in North Carolina. Its teachers represent a wealth of knowledge, with the average teacher in its district having 15 years of teaching experience. Iredell-Statesville Schools is committed to innovation and continuous improvement. In addition to traditional school settings, the district provides a wide range of exciting educational opportunities through our choice programs specifically designed for unique student needs.
About Animal Hospital of Statesville: Animal Hospital of Statesville has served Statesville, Mooresville, Iredell County and the surrounding area since 1974. It is an 8-doctor, AAHA accredited, progressive veterinary practice where Pets are Family, too.
Photo Credits: Animal Hospital of Statesville
Program Spotlight written by Margaret Spainhour, Communications Assistant, ApprenticeshipNC