Welcome to the Vet Tech Institute at Fox College in Tinley Park (Chicagoland)

All of our students and faculty share a passion for animals. It's that unique blend of shared passion and shared goals that create a family like atmosphere and creates the strong bonds of friendship. When you visit us you can see this connection in action.

We are proud of our experienced faculty. Our faculty members include:

Maritza Aquado, CVT, graduated from Vet Tech Institute at Fox College in 2016 and has a diverse background in veterinary medicine, with experience in general practice, emergency and critical care, orthopedic specialty, and diagnostic services. Ms. Aquado is excited to be able to share her experiences and assist students with career placement as an externship coordinator and instructor. She enjoys providing students with guidance in personal confidence and career building. When not working, Ms. Aquado enjoys being adventurous and spending time with her family and two dogs.

Eric Bergsten, DVM, Program Director, graduated from the University Of Illinois College Of Veterinary Medicine with High Honors and has more than 30 years of college teaching experience. He also has experience as a clinician in private practice, as an emergency relief veterinarian, as a member of the Illinois Veterinary Emergency Response Team, and as a volunteer veterinarian in Africa, South America, and Australia. Now, he especially enjoys teaching courses in Clinical Medicine, Anesthesia, and Large Animal Medicine. Dr. Bergsten enjoys spending free time with his wife, working as a community volunteer, and winning cooking competitions with his two adult children when they’re home for the holidays.

Leanne King, DVM, graduated with honors from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, Dr. King spent eight years practicing small animal medicine in the western suburbs of Chicago. During that time, she developed an interest in the fields of internal medicine and dentistry. She then worked in higher education for two years before joining the Fox College family as faculty. When Dr. King is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing board games, hiking, and listening to audiobooks.

Elizabeth Koeppen, RVT, came to Fox College after over twenty years in general practice and three years as the Director of Lake County Sheriff's Animal Control and adoption center located in northwest Indiana. Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Mrs. Koeppen graduated from Parkland College School of Veterinary Technology in Champaign, Illinois. In her personal time, Mrs. Koeppen enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters, and four cats. She also loves traveling, yoga, and watching her daughters play softball.

Stefanie Miller, CVT, is our Kennel Manager, supervising and leading students in the care of the onsite animals and serving as the staff supervisor for the Fox College Adoption Committee. She is also the chairperson of our Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, which ensures that all USDA standards are being met. Ms. Miller graduated from the JJC Veterinary Medical Technology Program with honors in 2018. She went on to work in equine practice for almost 5 years. Outside of work, she enjoys watching football and spending time with her cat, Beavis.

Lindsay Moore, CVT, graduated from Vet Tech Institute at Fox College in 2015 and then worked in general practice for 6 years. While working, she completed her bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Biology. Mrs. Moore is excited to be able to combine her two passions (animals and teaching) as an instructor at VTI. She enjoys working with students while teaching hands-on classes, including Clinical Laboratory and Animal Technology. When not working, Mrs. Moore enjoys spending time with her family and dog, Buddy.

Libby Payne, CVT, brings hands-on experience to Vet Tech Institute, having worked in emergency medicine (ER/ICU) as well as with Oncology, Dermatology, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Ophthalmology, and Surgery. A graduate of VTI, Ms. Payne returned to share her knowledge and love of animals with our future CVTs, first as a lab assistant and now as a full-time instructor. At home, she cares for one rat (Dolly), one cat with special needs (Teddy), and two dogs (Sadie and Pam). Ms. Payne usually teaches Clinical Medicine (small animal nutrition), Surgical Nursing, Anesthesia, and Clinical Laboratory courses. Outside teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband and family, playing board games, and practicing color guard routines.

Miranda C. Woodhouse, CVT, came to Vet Tech Institute after sixteen years in a busy, high volume general practice, including eight years as the Practice Manager. A graduate of Joliet Junior College’s veterinary technician program, Ms. Woodhouse has had a longtime passion for animals, cars, and books. After school, she shares her life with her adult children and a menagerie of dogs, cats, birds, fish and reptiles.

Martha Wray, CVT, brings experience in emergency, surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, and critical care to Vet Tech Institute, her alma mater. She is also strongly intereste in aquatic veterinary medicine and volunteered at the Shedd Aquarium for two years. Ms. Wray usually teaches Animal Technology, Clinical Laboratory, Clinical Medicine, Radiography, and Terminology courses. Outside of school, Ms. Wray enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband, their cat (Nugget, a DSH), and two dogs (Fabio, a Tibetan Spaniel, and Arya, a Terrier mix).

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Student Housing

The Vet Tech Institute at Fox College works closely with distance students to help them find roommates and affordable housing options. Some options are close enough that you can walk to school, some require a short drive.

Typical housing features include:

Apartment style living
Each student has their own bedroom
Option to be paired with roommate
Some locations have swimming pools and fitness rooms
On-site laundry facilities
Relatively close to school

Learn more about our student housing options by requesting more information or visiting us.

VTNE Information

July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023

Number of First-Time Test Takers	229
3 Year Average VTNE Pass Rate for First-Time Test Takers	60.3%

Animal Care Duty

Vet Tech Institute at Fox College maintains an on-site kennel housing dogs, cats, and rodents. An important part of education provided by the Veterinary Technology program is learning hands-on the duties and responsibilities of animal care and sanitation. Therefore, all veterinary technology students are assigned to participate in kennel duty shifts before and after classes and on weekends. The number of assigned weeks depends on the number of students.

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Credit Transfer Policies

Students With Disabilities

Title IX Information

Did You Know

Sea otters hold each other's paws while they sleep so they don't drift apart.

Catalog

The school catalog contains specific information about school policies. You can find information on admissions policies and practices, contact information for accrediting and state licensing agencies, information on tuition and fees, refund policies and other consumer information.

Accreditation

Our Veterinary Technology program is currently accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The address and telephone number of the American Veterinary Medical Association are 1931 N. Meacham Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173, (847) 925-8070.

Fox College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate's degrees and diplomas. The address and telephone number of the Higher Learning Commission are 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504, (800) 621-7440. The Higher Learning Commission is listed as a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. You can verify our status by going to www.foxcollege.edu. Go to the footer on the page and you can click the box that says "Higher Learning Commission" to see the details of our institutional accreditation.

Chicago - Tinley Park