Veterinary Nursing

This is an introductory course for veterinary assistants. Students will gain knowledge and hands on experience in a variety of topics including: completion of front office procedures for the veterinary hospital; breed identification; recognition of animal behavior and demonstration of common restraint methods; understand infection control and isolation procedures; perform basic tasks such as vaccine/medication administration and husbandry procedures; obtain patient history and perform physical examinations with data recording.

This is an introductory course for veterinary assistants. Students will gain knowledge and hands on experience in a variety of topics including: completion of front office procedures for the veterinary hospital; breed identification; recognition of animal behavior and demonstration of common restraint methods; understand infection control and isolation procedures; perform basic tasks such as vaccine/medication administration and husbandry procedures; obtain patient history and perform physical examinations with data recording.

An externship allowing students to observe companion, food and equine practices. Students will observe all aspects of a working clinic. Externships will allow valuable exposure to the reception area, treatment and surgical areas, radiology, laboratory, kennel and stables.

This course includes large animal husbandry, restraint techniques, diseases, nursing and herd health management. The student will acquire the knowledge and skills through lecture and laboratory. Special topics include anatomy, reproduction, and nutrition and will be discussed as they relate to each species.

This course consists of three sections: anesthesia, surgical nursing and dental procedures. The anesthesia section includes an overview of pharmacology, the use and application of anesthetic agents, the physiological effects of anesthetic agents, monitoring procedures, pain management, and basic anesthetic protocol. The surgical nursing section includes the understanding of sterile techniques including the methods by which sterilization is achieved, appropriate behavior in a surgical setting, care of equipment and instruments, and the roles of the operating room staff. The dental section includes a basic understanding of dental anatomy, instrument identification and function, dental exams and cleaning, personnel safety and client education.

This course is designed to instruct veterinary nursing students on the pharmacology and physiology of drugs, rules on filling prescriptions, and handling, storing, and documentation of controlled substances. Emphasis will be placed on classification of drugs, route and methods of administration of drugs, calculating dosages, and physiological action on the systems of the body.

A course in the normal and therapeutic nutritional needs of various species of animals. Topics include components of food, calculating energy requirements, digestion, and life stage needs.

This course includes the study of internal and external parasites of domestic animals. The student will learn identification, life cycles, routes of transmission, prevention and treatment protocols for the various parasites. Laboratory techniques used for identification will be covered in detail. The student will also learn the importance of public health safety, including procedures and protocols.

This course is designed to introduce to the veterinary nursing student the roles and responsibilities of the receptionist, office manager, and hospital managers with regard to the veterinary facility. The course will introduce basic management procedures common in a veterinary clinic with respect to a veterinary technician/veterinary nurse. Topics covered include: basic communication techniques, record keeping, filing, computer software, resume construction and interviewing techniques.

This course is designed to introduce to the veterinary nursing student the roles and responsibilities of the receptionist, office manager, and hospital managers with regard to the veterinary facility. The course will introduce basic management procedures common in a veterinary clinic with respect to a veterinary technician/veterinary nurse. Topics covered include: basic communication techniques, record keeping, filing, computer software, resume construction and interviewing techniques.