Upon completion of the Veterinary Assistant Certificate, 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.

Students who receive their Veterinary Assistant Certificate will be qualified to:

• Take vitals and do initial assessment with animal caregivers
• Maintain patient records
• Assist Veterinary technicians with diagnostic tests
• Maintain medical supplies
• Set-up supplies and equipment for medical procedures
• Care for animals after surgery

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.