Employees of Pathway Vet Alliance, a network of more than 300 U.S. veterinary practices, can earn a veterinary technician associate degree at no cost if certain conditions are met.
The two-year program is offered through the online Penn Foster College. Seventy-five people working for either Pathway Vet Alliance or its sister chain, Thrive Affordable Vet Care, enrolled this fall.
“We’re looking to create more ways to provide tools for upward mobility within our organization and opportunities to earn more,” said Bob Murtaugh, DVM, MS, Pathway’s chief professional relations officer. “Quite frankly, I don’t know of any other organization in the veterinary industry that is offering this type of program at the scale that we are.”
In the end, Pathway covers the tuition.
“In order to be considered for the program, team members must have an endorsement from their local leadership, identify a mentor, and complete an essay and questionnaire,” the company reported. “Upon being selected, Pathway or Thrive then provides payment for the tuition to the school up front, with a small amount deducted from employee paychecks thereafter until the cost is paid for. Upon graduation, and after completing two years with Pathway or Thrive, 100% of the tuition will be fully reimbursed to the team member.”
Additional educational partners are under consideration, Dr. Murtaugh said.
Pathway Vet Alliance previously announced the rollout of other employees benefits starting in 2021.
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