Vet Tech Institute of Indiana

06/04/2026

A Great Catch by the Radiography Team

What began as a routine radiography case quickly turned into an exciting learning opportunity for students Abi Covert, Edith Morales-Hernandez, Avery Hirt, and Shelby Emerick during lab.

The group was positioning a patient for a VD abdominal radiograph when Avery noticed something unusual while handling the patient. The dog’s left leg appeared noticeably shorter than the right. Although the students were focused on
obtaining quality abdominal images, the difference in leg length stood out enough to raise questions.

After the abdominal radiograph was taken, a small portion of the proximal femur was visible on the image and appeared abnormal. Because the patient was already sedated, additional radiographs of the hips and stifles were taken so Dr. Ritz could furtherevaluate what the students had noticed.

The additional images revealed that the patient had suffered an old fracture in the past that had alreadyhealed. The injury had healed in a way that caused
the difference in leg length, explaining the asymmetry the students had observed while positioning the patient.

05/25/2026

05/15/2026

Student Voices - Mia Myers - 07DV25

chose veterinary medicine as my career because of my deep passion for animals and my strong concern for their health and well-being. From a young age, I felt a natural connection to animals and wanted to be someone who could help them when they are sick or injured. This passion grew over time as I learned more about how important proper care and medical attention are to an animal’s quality of life. I am driven by the desire to advocate for animals who cannot speak for themselves and to ensure they receive the compassion and treatment they deserve.

Veterinary medicine allows me to combine my love for animals with my interest in science and medicine, creating a path that is both meaningful. I am also inspired by the opportunity to educate pet owners about
proper care and preventative health, helping animals live longer, and healthier lives. Even though, the field can be challenging and emotionally demanding, I am committed to overcoming those difficulties because of the impact I can make. Ultimately, I chose this path because I want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals and the people who care about them, while continuing to grow and learn throughout my career.

05/14/2026

What is SCNAVTA?

SCNAVTA is the student chapter of NAVTA (National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America).
They focus on building leadership skills, promoting the veterinary technician profession through community service, fundraising and helping students stay connected to what is happening in the field.

Check out the photo from our April meeting!

05/13/2026

Mrs. Hix happily cuddles with her favorite snake, Mrs. Dixon’s ball python, Grindylow, also known as “G.”

G made a special visit to campus during Exotics class as part of reptile week, helping demonstrate the unique anatomy of snakes. He also served as an ambassador for his species, showing students just how calm and gentle they can be.

Fun Fact #1: Live prey feeding poses significant risk in captivity. Feeding live rodents is strongly discouraged, as rats and mice can bite, scratch, or seriously injure a snake. In some cases, unattended prey has caused severe wounds or even death. For this reason, pre-killed or frozen-thawed prey is considered the safest and most humane standard in captive care.

Fun Fact #2: Ball pythons exhibit “balling” as an anti-predator behavior. Rather than striking, they coil tightly with the head protected at the center, reducing vulnerability to predation.

05/12/2026

Catching up in the parking lot together during a break from class are 07DV25 students Emily Dean, Luanne Gilliam, and Avery Hirt.

05/12/2026

A successful visit to Ashley’s Snack Spot for their weekly snack was embarked upon by 07DV25 students Mariana Williams, Edith Morales-Hernandez, and Asia Gibson-Thomas.

05/11/2026

In the breezeway... Mrs. Dixon, Mrs. Stout and some students!