Pierce College vet tech program socializes furry companions for later adoptions
July 7, 2026
Looking to adopt a pet? Part of the vet tech program trains and socializes animals for adoptions. The adoption event on May 7-10 was set to coincide with National Pet Adoption Week.
The students in the vet tech program spend the school year from September to June studying animal behavior classes. “We do a rotating three-week schedule, teaching the dogs basic commands: sit, stay, and the word ‘no,’ “ said Kat Pettengill, one of the vet tech students.
The program spent the year training beagles, Treeing Walker coonhounds and lab/mastiff mix dogs. There are also 14-15 cats that are waiting to be adopted as well.
Many of the dogs were already adopted by vet tech staff that bonded with the dogs throughout the year, including this dog named Hercules.
Many of the dogs were already adopted by vet tech staff that bonded with the dogs throughout the year, including this dog named Hercules.
The animals in the program come from local shelters and come with all shots up-to-date and paperwork.
“Our main goal with working with the animals is preparing them for adoption and having them ready to go to good, loving homes. There is no fee for the adoption, but we do have $20 fee to cover the transfer of ownership as the pets are all chipped,” Kat said.
“All the animals we train throughout the school year are all adopted out,” Pettengill said. “Sometimes there are one or two stragglers and those are normally fostered by us in the program.”
Taking care of a dog or cat is similar to taking care of a human child: they have to be bathed, fed, get checkups and sometimes require regular medications. The most important thing is a good loving home.
Choosing a dog or cat to be your next family member should not be taken lightly; several factors have to be determined: How will the dog or cat fit into the already formed family structure? Who will be responsible for care and clean up accidents and daily feedings? And most importantly, will it have the love and attention it deserves?
The vet tech program set up adoption tables at various times throughout the spring quarter where prospective “fur parents” can see pictures and read bios about the current dogs and cats in the program and decide which one would be the best fit for their family. Vet tech students are on hand at the tables to answer any questions about the animals and/or adoption process and requirements.
Hercules, Anthony Zyla, Shanley Willers, and Molly Dahl sit at the table that had binders with pictures and information about the cats available for adoption. The cats were down in the kennels of the vet tech area.
More information can be found on the Vet Tech page at www.pierce.ctc.edu/vet-tech-pet-adoption
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Helios is a very shy cat and was hiding under the kennels.
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Some treats brought Helios out from under the kennels.
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Leo was being held by Erika Lam, who is one of the vet tech students.
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Draco was being held by Jocelyn Mitchell, who is one of the vet tech students.
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Draco was reaching for a treat.
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Draco was named after Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter.
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The Vet Tech program has cats and dogs that the students work with throughout the year.
