An untapped clinical resource may already be on staff, research suggests

Part of the answer to veterinary medicine's access-to-care strain may already be working in the clinic, according to a Penn Foster report produced in partnership with The Harris Poll. Penn Foster points to credentialed veterinary technicians as a skilled resource many practices have yet to fully tap.¹

The report, released October 22, 2026, combines 2 surveys conducted in June 2026: one of 509 US pet owners and one of 206 veterinary technicians. According to Penn Foster, the findings suggest access-to-care problems aren't solely a product of workforce shortages. The company frames technician utilization as a lever practices can pull to boost efficiency, hold on to staff and see more patients.¹

The skills are already in the building

Most technicians surveyed said they are qualified to independently handle vaccine administration and follow-ups (80%), routine wellness exams (78%), and client education and care plans (69%). More than half (55%) of credentialed technicians said their clinical skills are underutilized.¹

Seventy-one percent of technicians said they support a tiered care model that includes technician-led visits as a way to improve access and affordability.¹

“Credentialed veterinary technicians are educated and trained to take on a broader range of clinical responsibilities, yet many practices aren't fully utilizing those skills,” said Meghan Wells, DVM, an instructor in Penn Foster's Veterinary Technology program, in the release.¹

Clients are ready to book

Pet owners in the survey place high value on credentialed technicians, with 77% rating them extremely or very valuable. Nearly two-thirds (65%) said they had scheduled—or would be interested in scheduling—an appointment directly with a credentialed technician, even without seeing a veterinarian.¹

Of the pet owners surveyed, 57% said they had spent more on pet wellness products and services over the past year. At the same time, 36% reported having delayed or skipped veterinary care entirely. Twenty-eight percent said they had waited 3 weeks or longer for an appointment when booking or had been unable to get one at all. On the practice side, 76% of credentialed technicians said current staffing structures create limits on appointments.¹

What's holding practices back

According to technicians, the biggest obstacles to using their full skill set come from inside the clinic. The top responses were a clinic culture that views technicians primarily as assistants (44%), clinic policies and protocols (42%), and veterinarian trust and comfort levels (38%).¹

Penn Foster suggests these barriers may also contribute to retention challenges, noting technicians want more chances to apply their training, take on advanced responsibilities and keep growing professionally.¹

The release points to Elevated Veterinary Solutions, a New Jersey–based veterinary care group, as one practice group investing in its credentialed technicians through both clinical responsibility and compensation.¹

“One of the biggest opportunities in veterinary medicine is already inside the practice: credentialed veterinary technicians,” said Torie Madore, CEO of Elevated Veterinary Solutions, in the release.¹ “We've seen firsthand in our own clinics that when we invest in technicians and trust them to own a greater share of responsibility, it improves efficiency, supports retention and elevates the experience for clients and patients alike.”

The Harris Poll conducted the technician survey online June 8 to 15, 2026, among 206 US veterinary technicians aged 18 years and older.¹

References

1. New Penn Foster research suggests better utilization of veterinary technicians could expand access to care. News release. Penn Foster. October 22, 2026. Accessed October 22, 2026. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-penn-foster-research-suggests-better-utilization-of-veterinary-technicians-could-expand-access-to-care-302917173.html