Veterinary Technology Program | Pikes Peak State College

Why Choose Veterinary Technology at PPSC

Veterinary medicine is a dream job for animal lovers. The Veterinary Technology program prepares you to be job-ready for work in a variety of medical practices, research, conservation, wildlife rehab, and livestock health. PPSC currently offers a Veterinary Assistant Certification.

You will be job-ready for entry-level positions in a general practice, emergency and critical care, specialty practice, or research as well as in conservation, wildlife rehab, and livestock health.

What you will study
PPSC's Veterinary Technology programs educate and empower you to work in the veterinary healthcare field. Graduates will be trained to professionally and ethically interact with patients, clients, and other veterinary healthcare professionals.

You will study a variety of topics, including radiology and imaging, humane restraint technique, pharmacology, parasitology, laboratory procedures, surgical procedures and nursing, exotic animal care, large animal nursing and care, and more.

Upon completion of the Veterinary Assistant program, students will be able to:
Comprehend the role of the Veterinary Assistant.
Demonstrate proper handling and restraint techniques of various animal species.
Demonstrate exam room procedures and patient data collection.
Apply communication skills and customer service skills.
Demonstrate the knowledge of pharmacy procedures to include, but not limited to, filling medications, inventory control and vaccine administration.
Adhere to safe and professional laboratory skills and techniques.

Upon graduation as a Veterinary Assistant, you will be qualified to take vitals and do initial assessment with animal caregivers, maintain patient records, assist vet techs with diagnostic tests, maintain medical supplies, set-up supplies and equipment for medical procedures, and care for animals after surgery.

Veterinary Technology Classes You Might Take

Here are some classes you could take here at PPSC

VET 1002 | Veterinary Medical Terminology

Introduces the student to the structure of veterinary medical terms with emphasis on using and combining the most common prefixes, roots and suffixes. Includes terms related to major body systems, oncology, psychiatry, as well as clinical laboratory and diagnostic procedures and imaging. Class structure provides accepted pronunciation of terms and relative use in the veterinary specific setting.

VET 1003 | Veterinary Assistant Restraint & Handling

Introduces students to basic animal care skills and clinical procedures common to a veterinary assistant in practice. Laboratories provide practice in restraint, grooming and physical exam techniques.

VET 1009 | Applied Companion Animal Behavior

Explores the topic of companion animal behavior and learning theory through critical reviews of behavioral literature and its implications for applied techniques in behavior and training. This course provides an understanding of how animals learn, how we can improve inter-species communication to reduce fear, stress, and anxiety, and how to apply this knowledge to the everyday treatment of animals under veterinary care.

VET 1020 | Office Procedures & Relations

Presents common veterinary office procedures including administration, professional etiquette, client relations, career development and job searching skills. Enrichment of computer skills in relationship to current veterinary management software will be emphasized.

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Program Learning Outcomes

1. Perform common veterinary office procedures.

2. Perform basic nursing care for animal patients.

3. Complete common laboratory and diagnostic imaging procedures.

4. Apply behavior modification techniques.

5. Handle and examine animal patients.

6. Demonstrate safe placement and removal of small animals into and from cages.

7. Demonstrate proper table top restraint on small animals.

8. Demonstrate safe application of a muzzle on a dog and cat.

9. Demonstrate correct placement of an Elizabethan collar on a dog and cat.

10. Collect and record in a medical record a body temperature, pulse (heart rate), respiratory rate and body weight from a small animal.

11. Demonstrate correct nail trimming technique for a cat, dog, or bird.

12. Demonstrate the external method of anal sac expression.

13. Demonstrate external cleaning of ear canals on a dog or cat.

14. Administer a pill by hand to a dog or cat.

15. Identify and recall common dog and cat breeds, common small animal gender terms and anatomical terms.

16. Prepare vaccines and list proper vaccine protocols for small animals.

17. Describe the common routes and methods of drug and vaccine administration that the veterinarian and/or veterinary technician may choose.

18. Characterize and classify normal and abnormal small animal behaviors.

19. Describe and name common small animal diseases and medical conditions.

20. Demonstrate a basic grooming, dipping and a therapeutic bath of a small animal.

21. Prepare and describe normal and prescription small animal diets.

22. Demonstrate proper cleaning and disinfection of cages and kennels.

1st Semester Plan

Introduces you to the structure of veterinary medical terms with emphasis on using and combining the most common prefixes, roots and suffixes. Includes terms related to major body systems, oncology, psychiatry, as well as clinical laboratory and diagnostic procedures and imaging. Class structure provides accepted pronunciation of terms and relative use in the veterinary specific setting.

Introduces you to basic animal care skills and clinical procedures common to a veterinary assistant in practice. Laboratories provide practice in restraint, grooming and physical exam techniques.