Certificate in Veterinary Assistant
You’re about to learn how you can train at home for a rewarding career as a Veterinary Assistant. Make you career dream a reality! Just think, in as little as two years, you can earn a certificate from Queens College Continuing Education Program. And you can earn it at home, in your spare time, without attending classes!
Work with animals! The Veterinary Assistant Program can help you make a difference. Your abilities can keep animals healthy, nurse them when ill — even save their lives! Train quickly and conveniently.
As a Veterinary Assistant, you’ll be an important part of a professional veterinary staff. You might work at a veterinary hospital, animal shelter, kennel, or laboratory. And you’ll have the confidence that comes with doing important work and doing it well.
Now you can be a part of this rewarding profession – all you need is ambition, the desire to succeed, and the skills you’ll learn from the Veterinary Assistant Certificate Program.
Program Outline
Instruction Modules
Your program consists of eleven Instruction Modules designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you'll use in your new career.
Here's how it works
Your first Instruction Module will be sent immediately after your enrollment has been accepted. Other Instruction Modules will follow as you complete your exams, so you will always have training materials to work with. Here is an overview of what you'll learn and the order in which you'll receive your lessons:
- Instruction Module 1
- Learning Strategies
- The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our web site; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
- Introduction to Animal Care
- Career opportunities in animal care; certification; animal care skills.
- Instruction Module 2
- Behavior
- Types of animal behavior; role of the Veterinary Assistant in behavior counseling; common animal behavior problems.
- Handling and Restraint
- Handling and restraint of dogs, cats, birds, horses, and other animals. Transporting animals.
- Video:
- "Handling and Restraint"
- Instruction Module 3
- Introduction to Veterinary Terminology
- Anatomical and veterinary procedure terminology; metric items and abbreviations.
- Introduction to Digestive System
- Body and organization; the digestive system; accessory digestive organs.
- Skeletal ,Muscular, and Integumentary Systems
- Skeletal system and joints; the muscular system; muscle groupings; the integumentary system.
- ISupplement: Your Guide to Medical Terminology
- Reference: Clinical Anatomy & Physiology for Veterinary Technicians Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary
- Audiocassettes:Pronunciation Guides
- Learning Aid:Flash Cards
- Instruction Module 4
- Respiratory and Circulatory Systems
- The respiratory system; the cardiovascular system; blood and other bodily fluids.
- Reproductive and Urinary Systems
- The reproductive system; the urinary system.
- Nervous System, Sensory Organs, and Endocrine System
- The nervous system;the sensory organs; endocrine system.
- Learning Aid: Anatomy Charts
- Instruction Module 5
- Nutrition
- Nutrients; pet foods, methods of feeding; anorexic animals; dietary management.
- Genetics, Reproduction, and Aging
- Classification by breeds; reproductive cycles, gestation; aging.
- Avian and Reptile Anatomy
- Functions of the major body systems; components of avian body systems.
- History and Physical Examination
- The chart; systems history; observation, palpation, auscultation, client education.
- Video: "Physical Examination and Bandage Care"
- Instruction Module 6
- Pathology
- Signs of disease, common diseases of animals; prevention; immunity; zoonoses.
- Immunology
- Vaccination; vaccination schedules; adverse reaction to vaccines
- Emergency Care
- Common emergencies; wounds; fractures; exposure; triage; shock; crisis intervention.
- Wound Care Management
- Types of wounds; healing; wound care; bandaging techniques; casts and slings.
- Learning Aids:
- First Aid Slide Guide
- Flash Cards
- Instruction Module 7
- Clinical Parasitology
- Types of parasites; ectoparasites and endoparasites; testing for parasites.
- Small and Large Animal Nursing, Parts 1 & 2
- Administering oral medications; assisting with administration of injections; nursing newborns; geriatric care.
- Veterinary Pharmacology
- Introduction to veterinary pharmacology; techniques of drug administration; types of drugs.
- Video: "Small Animal Nursing"
- Learning Aids:
- Narrative Guide for Photo Cards
- Internal and External Parasite Photo Cards
- Animal Disease Photo Cards
- Flash Cards
- Instruction Module 8
- Radiology, Parts 1 & 2
- Safety; radiology; ultrasonography; caring for equipment.
- Instrumentation and Principles of Aseptic Technique
- Small and large instruments; surgical packs; cleaning and sterilization; patient preparation.
- Surgical and Anesthetic Preparation
- The Assistant's role; animal surgery; surgical preparation; assisting with anesthesia administration; post surgical clean-up.
- Laboratory Animal Procedures
- Animal welfare regulations; lab research animals; basic care procedures; lab cleanliness and orderliness.
- Supplement: Work Experience Option
- Video: "Radiology, Anesthetic, and Surgical Preparation"
At this point in your program, you'll be able to choose three of the four optional Instruction Modules.
The options are:
- Option A
- Veterinary Practice and Administration
- Interpersonal Communication
- General Accounting Practices
- Veterinary Practice Procedure
- Examine hunting breeds; different training methods; hunting and field tests.
- Supplement: Successful Job Seeking
- Option B
- Cat Breeds
- Cat Shows and Training
- Breeding and Cattery Management
- Understanding Cats
- Navigating agility courses as a sport, speed and accuracy in competition; communication between dog and master.
- Textbook: Simon & Schuster's Guide to Cats
- Video: "A Video Guide to American Pedigreed Cats"
- Learning Aid: Cat Breed Chart
- Option C
- Dog Breeds
- Dog Shows and Training
- Breeding and Kennel Management
- Understanding Dogs
- Textbook: Simon & Schuster's Guide to Dogs
- Video: "Show Handling I - Basic"
- Learning Aid: Dog Breed Chart
- Option D
- Horse Breeds
- Horse Shows and Training
- Stable Management
- All About Horses
- Textbook: Simon & Schuster's Guide to Horses and Ponies
- Video: "The American Show Jumping Series by Olympic Medalist Greg Best - Volume I: Basic Jumping"
- Learning Aid: Horse Breed Chart
You must be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED to enroll in this program.
We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Learn the skills you need to become a Veterinary Assistant with at-home, at your own pace, with Queens College Continuing Education Program.
With the help from Penn Foster Career School Fitness, Queens College Continuing Education Veterinary Assistant Certificate Program can help you achieve your dreams — new career, better salary, and the satisfaction that comes with helping your clients look and feel better. Train quickly and conveniently through distance learning.
- You'll learn how to
- Obtain animal health histories and records.
- Assist in surgical procedures.
- Wash, feed, and care for animals, and much more.
- Provide specialized nursing care.
And you’ll learn it all at home — no classroom needed! You’ll get valuable information about animal-related issues from care and handling to veterinary practice and administration.
Start a rewarding career in a growing field. Why take a Veterinary Assistant training program? With the right credentials, you can:
Be an important part of a professional veterinary staff.
Work at a veterinary hospital, animal shelter, kennel, or laboratory.
While you'll work independently, you won't be alone. Expert instructors and support staff - dedicated to helping you complete your coursework — are just a phone call or an e-mail away.
Career Outlook
Your New Career
With people taking in household pets more now than ever before, the demand for skilled Veterinary Assistants is on the rise. Work for a clinic or on a farm. Penn Foster Career School training can give you the skills you need to start the exciting career you've always wanted.
The U.S. Department of Labor Predicts that the demand for Veterinary Assistants is to rise by 26% by the year 2012!* That means jobs will open up for workers with the right skills. With hard work and dedication, one of these great jobs can be yours.
In as little as one year, you could have the skills you need to enter this exciting and rewarding career field.
Your New Skills .
Earn your Certificate at home in as little as one year by studying just an hour a day for your new career. You'll learn the important skills you need to be a Veterinary Assistant:
You'll learn every important part of being a Veterinary Assistant
You'll learn how to handle and restrain animals, large and small.
You will learn the basics of first aid, routine and emergency care, as well as veterinary nursing procedures.
This program will teach you the fundamentals of cat, dog, and horse breeding, assisting in birth, and how to raise animal young.
* Growth figures represent a ten-year period ending 2012. Source: "National Industry-Occupation Employment Matrix," a publication of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
