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Considering A Career As A Veterinary Assistant?
Classes
Mar 29, 2020

Having a love of animals means you have compassion for their well-being and want them to live a full happy life.  If you want to make sure that all animals have a great opportunity, you need to be in Veterinary Medicine.  One way to do that is becoming a Veterinary Assistant.  Sno-Isle TECH has a perfect program to get you started as a Veterinary Assistant, and help animals have a long happy life.

About the Class

The Veterinary Assisting Program is the start you need for an animal-related career. The skills and theory needed to become veterinary assistants are taught in the Sno-Isle TECH class, as well as investigating other careers and advanced schooling available in the veterinary field.  Students can expect to gain experience through classroom activities and daily handling of the resident animals.  The class and information offer a realistic setting on campus that models worksites in the veterinary industry.  Students will use their classroom knowledge and skill during an internship at a local animal care facility during the second semester.  All health class students will need to declare proof of insurance before starting in an internship.

 

Meet the Instructor

Jennifer (Jenny) Kuehn, LVT leads the Veterinary Assisting course at Sno-Isle TECH.  She offers the skills needed to work in a hospital setting assisting doctors and technicians. The environment for the class is based on a true veterinary hospital.  Students will learn to help and care for animals when they are sick and need medical attention.  Students will practice daily on state of the art equipment, which can be seen in the industry.

 

Veterinary Assisting Program Background

The Veterinary Assisting class is taught twice daily, Monday through Friday during the school year.  The morning session is from 7:55am to 10:25am, while the later session is from 11:10am to 1:40pm.   The VA class offers 3.0 credits per year and an equivalency of Laboratory Science.  The program is designed to prepare students for animal related careers and/or college preparatory courses to further their education in applied sciences.  Prerequisites to the course are successful completion of biology & health.

The Veterinary Assistance program has resident animals living at the facilities throughout the school year. They are the responsibility of the students 7 days a week.  This class is rigorous and fast-paced, which provides students an opportunity to work with a wide variety of animals, tools of the trade, and diagnostic equipment. The classroom environment will simulate procedures performed in the veterinary hospital, pet care, kennel, and stable facility.

Students will demonstrate knowledge of the program safety requirements and safety regulations and how they apply to the veterinary industry. They will also understand the duties of a veterinary assistant, recognize a wide variety of breeds within major animal species, animal nutrition & husbandry, anatomy & physiology of multiple species, animal restraint, head to toe assessment on animal patients; physical exam, signalment, and patient history, basic grooming, preventive care, animal nursing, pharmacology, end of life care, laboratory procedures, and surgical nursing.  In addition, students will understand medical records handling, learn how to master communication skills in a professional & team setting, resume, cover letter & reference development, job search and 21st Century skills.

Course Materials include:

  • Elsevier’s Veterinary Assisting Textbook, 2nd edition, by Margi Sirois
  • All Creatures Great & Small, paperback edition), by James Harriot.
  • The Language of Medicine, 11th edition, by Davi-Ellen Chabner (2nd year only)

Required Materials For Veterinary Assisting:

  • Solid colored scrubs (matching tops & bottoms) everyday and must have them on the first day of school. The scrubs need to be a 2-pocket V-neck style.
  • Scrub pants will need to be hemmed so they do not touch the floor, for safety & disease control. Scrubs must be a solid color – no patterns or designs.
  • A watch with a second hand.
  • Slip resistant shoes – athletic shoes are fine.
  • Rubber boots are optional for working in the barn facility.
  • An I.D. Badge will be provided by Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center.
  • A 1” binder (with cover pocket), plastic sleeve protectors (30 minimum), and computer paper will be provided by Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center.
  • School Supplies: 2” binder or equivalent, flash drive, paper, notebooks, pens; blue ink and correction colors, calculator, access to a computer/printer.
  • Other items students may need include hair ties (for long hair.)

Certificate Opportunities:

  • CPR/First Aid
  • Precision Exams – 21st Century Skills
  • Precision Exams – Veterinary Assisting
  • Precision Exams – Medical Terminology (second year students only)

Like the veterinary industry, the Veterinary Assisting program at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center is a challenging and rewarding class. This is a “tough class” and the expectations for students are set high in all areas of the program: professionalism, leadership and team work as well as academics. With the care of live animals, the Sno-Isle TECH program is unique and requires a higher level of attention to detail and dedication than what could be found in a traditional high school setting.  Don’t miss your chance to get started as a Veterinary Assistant and launch your career in the industry.  For more information on the Sno-Isle TECH program, click here.  If you’re ready to sign up and get started, register now!  Classes for the next semester are filling fast, and you don’t want to miss out.