Instructor: Kathy Nuttall, BS, CVT

Course Description: This course is designed for juniors and seniors with an interest in animal care and nursing. The program offers students the opportunity to explore different avenues of the veterinary profession. This course is offered as a one year veterinary assisting or a two year veterinary technician program. The first year is an introduction to veterinary medicine. This includes: surgical assisting, anatomy/physiology, dentistry, bandaging, and laboratory procedures. The second year covers critical care nursing, anesthesiology, radiology, and pharmacology.

Course Objectives: Students will perform clinical laboratory procedures, administering of medications, surgical assisting, monitoring anesthesia, caring for hospitalized patients, taking radiographs, and provide client education.

Course Expectations: Students will be working with large animals, exotic animals, and small animals. Students will be expected to take care of school animals on weekends and holidays on a rotating schedule. Externships at local veterinary hospitals are a part of the program. Students will be responsible for transportation to these clinics and off-site labs during the year.

High School Credit: Four (4) high school CTE credits or as your 3rd science – AAS

Concurrent Credit: Fundamentals of Equine Science and Management, USU 2 credits

Educational Opportunities: Students have the opportunity to further their education at community colleges and/or universities upon completion of this program. Students that have the desire to continue in the field of science or veterinary medicine will need to complete a college degree.

Possible Careers: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to work as a technician in veterinary hospitals, shelters, military, industry, biomedical research, diagnostic laboratories, veterinary supply sales, and zoo/wildlife facilities.

Misconceptions: This course is a college oriented program that teaches students the skills needed to perform critical care nursing skills. This is not a basic animal husbandry or grooming program.

Classes required for entrance: Biology and Algebra I

Recommended Classes: Biology Agriculture Science and Technology, Medical Terminology, and Anatomy and Physiology

Program Length: Full year

Eligibility: Junior and Seniors based on entrance exams, GPA, attendance and strength of schedule.

Costs/Fees: Fundamentals of Equine Science and Management – USU concurrent

Textbooks (optional) $200, Workbook $20 (required)

HOSA membership (optional) $30

Stethoscope/Scrubs required