Veterinary Assistant

Program Overview

The Veterinary Assistant Program is housed at Central High School in District 301. It is a 3-year program available to students entering 10th grade. Students will gain hands-on experience working with live animals in the classroom and during clinical hours in a veterinary office.

Click below to view the Veterinary Assistant Orientation powerpoint presentations.

Vet Assistant Orientation (English)

Vet Assistant Orientation (Spanish)

Course Descriptions

Introduction to Agricultural Science

9th – 10th Grade or Department Chair Approval / 1 Period / Prerequisites: None

The Agriculture Science Program consists of three integral components: classroom instruction, participation in the FFA, and completing an agriculture science project. Classroom topics for this course will cover the basic concepts in all areas of agriculture that include the following: animal science, plant and soil science, horticulture, agribusiness, mechanics, and alternative energy.

Veterinary Assistant 1

11th Grade or Department Chair Approval / 2 Periods / Prerequisites: Intro to Agricultural Science with a C or better in both semesters

Topics covered include: Small and companion animal industry, large animal industry, animal health, veterinary office practices, animal restraint in the vet clinic, anatomy, and physiology. A class dissection of a small mammal is included, but an alternative project can be completed instead. Students in this class will be responsible for providing their own transportation to complete their externship hours at a local vet clinic/animal facility that has been assigned to them as a class component.

Veterinary Assistant 2

12th Grade or Department Chair Approval / 2 Periods / Prerequisites: Veterinary Assistant 1 with a C or better in both semesters

This course further educates each student in the topics related to veterinary science. Topics include: veterinary medicine, animal ethics and welfare issues, animal nutrition, anatomy, physiology, animal CPR, and veterinary lab procedures, and office management. At the successful conclusion of this course and program, students will have the opportunity to sit for the national veterinary assistant exam. Students in this class will be responsible for providing their own transportation to complete their externship hours at a local vet clinic/animal facility that has been assigned to them as a class component.