Veterinary Assistant Specialist Program

Our Veterinary Assistant Specialist program prepares you for a rewarding career working as a veterinary assistant in a veterinary hospital, animal shelter, zoo, university or other environment that requires a background in animal sciences.

Veterinary Medical Terminology

Veterinary Medical Terminology provides a visual approach to learning medical terms and understanding the basics of veterinary medicine. A systematic process of breaking down medical terms into their component parts allows readers to comprehend the root medical concepts and apply critical thinking skills when faced with new and unfamiliar medical terminology. Case studies exemplify how medical terminology would be experienced in an actual veterinary practice.

The software provided with this course makes review of the concepts fun through the use of interactive games and audio pronunciation of the terms.

Prerequisite(s): None

Veterinary Assistant

Veterinary Assistant training can help you make a difference in the lives of animals and the people who love them. Our course prepare you for a rewarding career working as a veterinary assistant in a veterinary hospital, animal shelter, zoo, university or other environment that requires a background in animal sciences.

This course provides a well-rounded, complete approach to learning the skills required in the field of veterinary assisting. The course begins with basic skills such as veterinary medical terminology and office procedures, and progresses to more advanced skills such as nursing care and radiology. There are sections covering companion animals, large animals, and exotic animals. Clinical scenarios are provided in this course to help demonstrate application of the skills to real world practice.

NOTE: This program DOES NOT License, Certify, or Register Veterinary Technicians in any state through the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

Prerequisite(s): None

Veterinary Medical Terminology

Veterinary Medical Terminology Module 1
Introduction to Medical Terminology

• Anatomy of a Medical Term
• Prefixes & Suffixes
• Combining Vowels & Forms
• Analyzing Medical Terms
• General Pronunciation Guidelines
• Positions & Planes
• Grouping Things Together
• Labeling a Diagram
• The Skeletal System
• The Muscular System

Veterinary Medical Terminology Module 2
Common Anatomical Terms

• Two Words, Same Meaning
• Common Anatomical Terms for Equine
• Common Anatomical Terms for Cattle
• Common Anatomical Terms for Goats
• Common Anatomical Terms for Sheep
• Common Anatomical Terms for Swine
• Common Anatomical Terms for Dogs
• Common Anatomical Terms for Cats
• The Digestive System
• The Urinary System

Veterinary Medical Terminology Module 3
Body Systems - Part 1

• Function of the Cardiovascular System
• Structure of the Cardiovascular System
• Pathology & Procedures of the Cardiovascular System
• Function & Structure of the Respiratory System
• Pathology & Procedures of the Respiratory System
• Function & Structure of the Integumentary System
• Pathology & Procedures of the Integumentary System
• Function & Structure of the Endocrine System
• Pathology of the Endocrine System
• Procedures of the Endocrine System

Veterinary Medical Terminology Module 4
Body Systems - Part 2

• The Reproductive System
• The Estrous Cycle
• Mating, Pregnancy, and Birth
• The Nervous System
• Central Nervous System
• Peripheral Nervous System
• Function & Structure of the Eye
• Mechanism of Hearing
• Mechanism of Equilibrium
• Pathology & Procedures of the Ears

Veterinary Medical Terminology Module 5
Systems & Diseases

• The Hematologic System
• The Lymphatic System
• The Immune System
• Oncology
• Laboratory Terminology
• Pathogenic Organisms
• Types of Diseases
• Endoscopy
• Imaging Techniques
• Pharmacologic and Surgical Terms

Veterinary Medical Terminology Module 6
Dealing with Specific Animals

• Anatomy, Breeding, & Vaccinations
• Dogs & Cats
• Descriptive Terms
• Horses, Donkeys, Mules, and Ponies
• Terms for Unsoundness in Horses
• Ruminants: Cattle, Sheep, Goats, and Camelids
• Pigs and Swine Management Terms
• Birds, Poultry, and Pet Bird Terms
• Rodents, Ferrets, and Rabbits
• Reptiles and Amphibians

**Outlines are subject to change, as courses and materials are updated.**

Veterinary Assistant

Veterinary Assistant Module 1
Practice Management and Client Relations

• Veterinary Medical Terminology
• Veterinary Abbreviations
• Medical Records
• Scheduling and Appointments
• Computer and Keyboarding Skills
• Veterinary Office Management
• Communication and Client Relations
• Veterinary Ethics and Legal Issues

Veterinary Assistant Module 2
Dogs, Cats, Avian & Pocket Pets

• Dog Breed Identification
• Cat Breed Identification
• Avian Breed Identification
• Pocket Pet Identification
• Veterinary Terminology
• Behavior & Basic Training
• Basic Health Care & Maintenance
• Common Diseases & Parasites
• Restraint & Handling

Veterinary Assistant Module 3
Rabbits, Reptiles, Fish, Wildlife & Cattle

• Rabbit Identification
• Reptile & Amphibian Breed Identification
• Ornamental Fish Identification
• Wildlife Management & Rehabilitation
• Zoo & Exotic Animals
• Laboratory Animal & Research Animal Management
• Beef & Dairy Cattle Breed Identification
• Veterinary Terminology
• Behavior & Basic Training
• Basic Health Care & Maintenance
• Common Diseases & Parasites
• Restraint & Handling

Veterinary Assistant Module 4
Equine, Swine, Sheep, Goats, & Poultry

• Equine Breed Identification
• Draft Animal Breed Identification
• Swine Breed Identification
• Sheep Breed Identification
• Goat Breed Identification
• Poultry Breed Identification
• Aquaculture Identification
• Veterinary Terminology
• Behavior & Basic Training
• Basic Health Care & Maintenance
• Common Diseases & Parasites
• Restraint & Handling

Veterinary Assistant Module 5
General Anatomy & Disease Processes, Part 1

• The Structure of Living Things
• The Musculoskeletal System
• The Digestive System
• The Circulatory System
• The Respiratory System
• The Endocrine System
• The Renal System

Veterinary Assistant Module 6
General Anatomy & Disease Processes, Part 2

• Reproductive System
• The Immune System
• The Nervous System
• The Sensory System
• Animal Nutrition
• Microbiology
• Parasitology as Disease Processes
• Treating Disease

Veterinary Assistant Module 7
Animal Behavior & Veterinary Safety

• Animal Behavior
• Common Behavior Problems
• Veterinary Restraint & Handling
• Restraint Equipment
• Veterinary Safety
• OSHA Guidelines & Regulations
• Veterinary Sanitation
• Aseptic Techniques

Veterinary Assistant Module 8
Clinical Procedures

• The Physical Examination
• The Patient History
• Examination Procedures
• Hospital Procedures
• Evaluating Emergency Situations
• Grooming Procedures
• Veterinary Assisting Procedures
• Administering Injections
• Socialization & Exercise of Patients

Veterinary Assistant Module 9
Laboratory, Radiology, Pharmacy, & Surgical

• Laboratory Procedures
• Veterinary Laboratory Equipment
• Radiology Procedures
• Radiation Safety
• Pharmacy Procedures
• Dispensing Medications
• Surgical Assisting Procedures
• Surgical Suite Maintenance
• Postoperative Patient Care

**Outlines are subject to change, as courses and materials are updated.**