Introduction to the role of the veterinary technician in the field of veterinary medicine. Topics include medical terminology, client communication, basic animal care and behavior, medical documentation and basic nursing skills. This course also focuses on an introduction to the various opportunities within the veterinary healthcare profession, as well as history and physical examination, normal temperature, pulse and respiration values for various species, breeds of animals, sanitation, and veterinary ethics.

The course will introduce students to concepts related to working in and managing a veterinary practice. Emphasis will be on team and client communication, conflict resolution, team building, interpersonal and professional interaction as well as facilitating a job search, interviewing and cover letter and resume creation.

A general survey of the function and anatomy of mammals. The emphasis is on introductory topics of cell and tissue structure and function, anatomical terminology, as well as the eye, the ear, and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, respiratory, digestive, circulatory, urinary, endocrine, neurological and female and male reproductive systems.

Introduction to veterinary nursing, animal husbandry and the natural behaviors of domestic animal species. Course emphasis is on providing safe and effective patient assessment and care and in developing the observation, husbandry and management skills needed to safely and humanely restrain patients during clinical procedures. Topics include the technician’s role in diagnostic procedures, treatments, patient assessment, preventative medicine, and client and team communication.

Biology and laboratory identification of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that cause infectious diseases in animals. Emphasis will be placed on the collection of specimens for culture, the isolation and identification of pathogenic organisms, and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Topics include identification of causative agents of diseases, classification and nomenclature of bacteria, morphology and physiology of bacteria, bacteria and disease, laboratory procedures in bacteriology, gram positive and gram negative bacteria, spiral and curved bacteria, actinomycetes organisms, fungi and virology.

Biology and life cycles of selected protozoan, helminth, and arthropod parasites of veterinary importance. Emphasis will be placed on laboratory procedures for the identification of common parasites of domestic and laboratory animals. Topics include common internal and external parasites of domestic animals, large and small animal parasite life cycles and methods of identification of the commonly encountered parasites of domestic animals.

This course will cover care, treatment and management of veterinary patients. Topics will also include client education, preventative medicine programs and the role of the veterinary technician in a clinical setting.

This course covers gross anatomy and physiology of domestic mammals, with a clinical focus for students planning to enter the veterinary technology field. Mammalian anatomy is approached in a functional and systemic way in laboratory sessions. Students use anatomical models and preserved specimens of a variety of species to study gross anatomy of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, urogenital, endocrine, and special sense organ systems.

Introduction to common animal diseases and the immune response. Topics include the importance and transmissibility of common animal diseases and basic immunological principles involved in prophylaxis, treatment and recovery. Emphasis is placed on most common diseases of most common domestic animal species. Upon course completion, the student should be able to communicate with clients regarding the pathogenesis, immune response and prevention of the most common animal diseases and should be able to assist with formulation of immunization schedules for various species of animals.

This course is an introduction to veterinary diagnostic imaging and is designed to instruct the veterinary technician student in the basic principles of imaging necessary to perform imaging tasks within a veterinary hospital. Topics include introduction to radiography, the radiograph machine, general principles of positioning, radiographic protocol, safety measures, technique charts, quality control, introduction to ultrasonography, patient preparation, and equipment controls.

This course is designed to give the student exposure to veterinary drugs and teach the importance of exact calculations, proper administration, and the danger and recognition of reactions and overdosage. Topics include introduction and principles of pharmacology, antimicrobials, disinfectants, drugs affecting the nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems, anti-inflammatories, antiparasitics, euthanasia solutions, and pharmacy and inventory control.

This course introduces students to common laboratory techniques and diagnostic methods. Topics include the basic laboratory, hematology, bone marrow and blood cytology, urinalysis, clinical chemistry, function tests of the liver, kidney, pancreas, and thyroid, diagnostic cytology, post mortem examinations and principles of asepsis and the practice of sterile technique.

This course introduces the student to principles of anesthesia and surgical nursing. Topics include an introduction to anesthesia, patient evaluation and preparation, pre-anesthetic considerations, local anesthesia, assessing the depth of general anesthesia, injectable anesthetic drugs, inhalation anesthesia. Upon course completion, the student should be able to properly anesthetize and monitor animals under anesthesia.

This course will introduce students to concepts related to large animal medicine. Topics include the livestock and equine industry and the various species of large animal livestock. Emphasis will be placed on livestock terminology, breeds, production systems, basic management practices, preventive medicine, lameness examinations and conditions, necropsy procedures, animal products, behavior, handling and restraint, safety, operation of cattle chutes and equine stocks, nutrition, dentistry, and physical examination and patient care for the large animal patient.

This course presents the fields of laboratory animal research and zoological medicine, as well as the care and management of exotic pets. Topics include husbandry, animal behavior, nutrition, identification, restraint, common clinical conditions, nursing procedures, and preventive health care.

This course will emphasize the skills and knowledge required to excel in a veterinary clinic. Topics will include key features of diagnostic sampling, sample submission, clinical pathology, anesthesia, nutrition, dermatology, dentistry as well as the basic principles in emergency treatment of animals. Emergency topics include emergency equipment and drugs, initial assessment and examination, patient triage, evaluation and treatment, shock, cardiac arrest, respiratory emergencies, fluid therapy, blood collection and transfusion, emergency treatment of specific conditions, poisonings, and large animal emergencies. Labratory required.

This course provides the student an opportunity to gain supervised, practical experience working in veterinary clinic or similar setting.

This course provides the student an additional opportunity to gain supervised, practical experience working in veterinary clinic or similar setting.

This course provides the student an additional opportunity to gain supervised, practical experience working in veterinary clinic or similar setting.