Not just for the dogs, birds, or cows. MSC officially opens new Veterinary Tech program

On November 15, students, staff, and local community members gathered at Mat-Su College (MSC) to celebrate the newest program to be offered at the school as the ribbon was cut for the new Veterinary Technology Program, the first of its kind offered in the state.

“We are just so thrilled that everyone came to celebrate all the people who did the hard work to make this program happen,” said Mary Katherine Harmon, Director of Academic Affairs for MSC. “We celebrate as a state and a community for having the first-ever vet-tech program that we get to house here in our community.”

Dr. Marie Gardner, MSC Director, thanked the first cohort of students in the program, as well as faculty and staff, past and present, including former director Talis Holberg and Frank Weber, Dean of the Community and Technical Campus, for their continued work to get the program up and running.

“It started with research and getting this program approved, and now…it’s developing curriculum and developing lesson plans and contacting and fostering partnerships with everyone,” she said during the ribbon cutting.

Dr. Judith Montalbano, the program director for Veterinary Sciences thanked the University of Alaska Anchorage for their support and the Board of Regents for approving the program.

“It’s the celebration for everybody in the veterinary community, the celebration of nearly 20 years of work coming to fruition,” says Dr. Montalbano. The program has long been sought by many staff and students who were interested in pursuing the Vet Tech field, but would have to leave the state to complete their education before returning to Alaska.

“It’s been something we’ve talked about for so long. Alaska has been the only state that did not have a Vet Tech program.” Dr. Montalbano also said that groups like the Mat-Su Animal Shelter and the Alaska Veterinary Medical Association have been a tremendous support for the program, but it doesn’t just stop there.

“All veterinarians and veterinary technicians in Alaska overwhelmingly love the fact that this program has been started and is supportive.”

The two-year program offers students the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology. The program began during the 2024 fall semester, with its first cohort of students, among them Kayla Walker.

“It’s really exciting to be part of the first class,” says Walker. She has been working in the veterinary field for ten years but knew there were gaps in knowledge she needed. After moving to Alaska in 2022, she found out the school was starting the program and jumped at the chance to be in the new program. And while she has yet to decide if she wants to work with large animals or small, Walker says the program is allowing her the opportunity to explore.

“This program is for small animals and pets, but it’s also for the wildlife…I get to learn about exotics, birds, reptiles, horses, cows, and small animals.” She says that while it is a lot, she knows that students will get out of the program exactly what they put into it.

“That’s how I know I’m going to be successful.”

Dr. Montalbano suggests that anyone interested in the 2026 cohort begin talking to advisors early.

“If you think you want to be part of the class that starts in 2026, talk to them now and start getting prepared now. This will allow them to get the applications ready now and be successful.”

For more information about the Vet Tech program, see matsu.alaska.edu/academic-programs/veterinary-medicine