Veterinary Office & Animal Care Certificate

Information Session

Please join us at the New Westminster Campus, from 6:00 - 7:00pm at one of these sessions and learn more about this excellent career training program. A brief presentation will be followed by a question and answer period.

These sessions are offered at no charge, please register by calling Laury DeBow at 604-527-5607 or email debowl@douglas.bc.ca.

Information Sessions 2010:

Date:	Thursday, October 14, 2010
Time:	6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Rooms:	4241

Date:	Thursday, November 25, 2010
Time:	6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Rooms:	4241

Program Purpose

The purpose of the Veterinary Office & Animal Care (VOAC) certificate program is to develop the career ready skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to perform the multifaceted duties of veterinary assistants. The program focuses on small animal (domestic) assistant training and the essential practical skills training will take place off campus at animal shelters, veterinary clinics and rescue agencies.

The Veterinary Office & Animal Care certificate program is designed to assure that:

• Douglas College is the first choice for students seeking a career as veterinary assistants
• Graduates will feel confident that they possess the all the necessary skills and attitudes to be successful in their new career
• Graduates will be the first choice by the animal care community for employment

The VOAC Certificate program has incorporated the Douglas College signature by:

• Basing the curriculum on the development of skills, knowledge and abilities essential to students' work such as: independent learning and information literacy, communication (oral, written and interpersonal), critical and creative thinking, teamwork and computational and technical skills
• Providing "hands-on" training and "real world" assignments, case studies and practicums that are guided by the ethics of practice
• Supplying balanced and varied learning modes and methods
• Creating a learning environment that enhances student success
• Committing to seek verification of applied skills standards through external agencies and advisory boards

The program was designed for Douglas College by a practising Veterinarian in consultation with the animal care community.

Admission Requirements

Will include all of the following:

• Grade 12 graduation or equivalent
  • Completion of English 11 with a grade of C or better
  • Completion of Biology 11 with a grade of C or better
• 18 years of age or older by the end of the VOAC Program
• Keyboarding speed of 20 words per minute
• Possess basic computer skills:  be able to use email, open/close files and create a document
• Submission of handwritten essay detailing the reasons why the applicant wishes to enter the program and personal ability as it relates to the program
• Submission of signed form(s) proving a minimum of two days of observation in one or more veterinary clinics, detailing the procedures observed. This will provide the applicant with a realistic view of responsibilities of the Veterinary Office & Animal Care assistant
• Submission of completed medical/personal assessment form
• Attend a VOAC Info Session

Other Criteria

When offered a seat in the program the following criteria must be satisfied:

• Proof of current Tetanus immunization.
• Purchase a laboratory coat or scrubs (available at the Douglas College Bookstore).
• Bring 4 GB flashdrive/memory stick to first class of "Veterinary Administrative Procedures I".

Please note: The admission package contains all forms. To receive a package, please call Laury DeBow at
604-527-5607 or email: debowl@douglas.bc.ca.

Tuition and Textbook

Tuition for this program is $5900. Eligible for BC Student Loans.

Textbook required:

• Principles and Practice of Veterinary Technology, Margi Sirois, Second Edition © 2004

Program Outcomes

At the end of the program, the successful student should be able to:

Perform and understand the duties of a veterinary team member in a small animal clinic/hospital or related field (animal shelter, rescue organization).  

In the front office setting

• Book appointments, perform receptionist and bookkeeping duties, operate veterinary software, as well as offer nutritional, patient care and grief counselling.

In the examination room, treatment area, surgery or kennel

• Make a basic assessment of a patient's status, whether for a wellness exam, or in an emergency situation.
• Identify common small animal breeds, and be able to handle and restrain animals safely.
• Promote good health and hygiene by demonstrating adequate grooming skills and knowledge of external parasite control.
• Understand basic veterinary terminology, with applications to anatomy, physiology, and numerous small animal disease processes.

In the laboratory (under veterinarian supervision)

• Operate a binocular microscope, prepare for and perform common basic laboratory tests, and use and maintain most laboratory and clinical diagnostic equipment.
• Assist the veterinary technician during the following: taking standard X-rays, administering anaesthesia to a patient, and during dental and surgical procedures.
• Label, develop and fix X-rays.

In the operating area (under veterinarian supervision)

• Handle and maintain surgical instruments, as well as wrap and sterilize surgical packs.
• Demonstrate familiarity with common surgical procedures including small animal spays and neuters, and offer important homecare instructions.

Program and Course Structure

Please note: the program will be offered at the New Westminster Campus.  Six months (24 weeks), 640 hours. Classes are Monday - Friday from 8:30am-2:00pm.

NEW WESTMINSTER CAMPUS - Fall 2010 intake:
Application deadline: August 13, 2010

September 7 - November 15, 2010

• Grooming Handling and Restraint
• Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology & Terminology I
• Veterinary Care I
• Veterinary Nutrition
• Veterinary Administrative Procedures I

November 16, 2009 - December 23, 2010
Christmas Break - December 24, 2010 - January 3, 2011
January 4, 2011 - January 31, 2011

• Veterinary Laboratory Procedures
•  Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology & Terminology II
•  Veterinary Diseases
•  Veterinary Care II
•  Veterinary Administrative Procedures II

 February 1, 2010 - February 21, 2011

• Practicum (3 weeks) & Follow-up

NEW WESTMINSTER CAMPUS - Spring 2011 intake:
Application deadline: January 31, 2011

March 7 - May 20, 2011
 

• Grooming Handling and Restraint
• Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology & Terminology I
• Veterinary Care I
• Veterinary Nutrition
• Veterinary Administrative Procedures I

Semester Break  May 24 - May 27, 2011

May 30 - August 5, 2011

• Veterinary Laboratory Procedures
• Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology & Terminology II
• Veterinary Diseases
• Veterinary Care II
• Veterinary Administrative Procedures II

August 8  - August 26, 2011

• Practicum & follow-up

Instructors

All instructors are current in their field and will continue to practice on non-teaching days.

Dr. Claire Kavanagh	Veterinarian	4 courses
Janice Werger	Registered Animal Health Technologist	2 courses
Carrie Hudson	Registered Animal Health Technologist	4 courses

Course Calendar Descriptions

Grooming, Handling and Restraint

This course is designed to enable the student to identify various breeds of small animals and understand the necessary components of handling and restraint. Personal safety is emphasized. The recognition and prevention of aggression in small animals is included. Basic grooming procedures such as shaving, bathing, dematting, and brushing, as well as trimming nails, cleaning ears, and expressing anal glands will be demonstrated. External parasite control and the products utilized will be introduced.

Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology & Terminology I

This course is designed to teach the veterinary medical language by the study of prefixes, suffixes, root words, and pronunciation of words. Common veterinary medical abbreviations will also be covered. Anatomy and physiology are included in order to increase the understanding of the veterinary medical vocabulary. The knowledge and usage of correct terminology will better enable the veterinary care assistant to communicate with veterinarians, animal health technicians, and most professionals in the medical field.

Veterinary Care I

This course will enable the student to ascertain a medical history, and determine and record the vital signs of a patient, as part of a physical examination. As well, normal small animal behaviour, pain assessment, caring for a hospitalized animal, homecare and euthanasia will be covered. The student will be taught to recognize situations requiring emergency procedures. The student will be familiarized with common veterinary pharmaceuticals and dosages, as well as methods of administration. Fluid therapy and other vital veterinary therapeutics will be introduced

Veterinary Nutrition

This course is designed to enable the student to understand the principles of nutrition, with regards to feeding for all life stages of the small animal. The importance of good nutrition, major nutrient components, interpretation of the ingredient list, and classification of feeding methods will be emphasized. Various types of formulations will be discussed. The use of prescription or specialty diets will be introduced with regards to feeding the healthy, orphaned, diseased, or geriatric patient.

Veterinary Administrative Procedures I

This course is an introduction to Microsoft Word, and a brief introduction to Microsoft Windows and PowerPoint. With Microsoft Word students will create documents used in a veterinary setting. Students will also use Microsoft Word to prepare job search documents in preparation for their practicum and will begin the process of compiling a career portfolio. Employability Skills will be stressed throughout the course.  This is a "hands-on" course in which students will integrate computer skills with document formatting.  AviMark Veterinary Software will be introduced.

Veterinary Laboratory Procedures

This course is designed to enable the student to perform basic clinical or lab procedures including the use and management of veterinary lab equipment. Students will be introduced to the handling and care of diagnostic equipment, as well as the materials and methods required to perform common diagnostic tests. Understanding and usage of the major disinfectants will be covered. The proper documentation of laboratory requisition forms and results, as well as blood and other specimen handling will be demonstrated.

Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology & Terminology II

This course is designed to further the necessary language skills of the veterinary care assistant. It includes the endocrine, gastrointestinal, neurological, muscular, urinary, sensory, and reproductive systems. The medical vocabulary necessary for communication in the areas of anesthesiology, surgery, and radiology will be covered.

Veterinary Diseases

This course will introduce the student to several causes of disease, and the differentiation between bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi. Various modes of disease transmission, preventative medicine, identifying types of vaccines, and small animal vaccine schedules are included. A brief overview of the causes, clinical signs, treatment, and prevention of common diseases of several body systems will be covered.

Veterinary Care II

This course will introduce the student to several critical areas of veterinary practice. The veterinary radiology component will include the methods and positioning necessary to take a proper X-ray, as well as the chemicals required to develop one. Veterinary anesthesia, including sedation, induction, maintenance and monitoring will be discussed. The veterinary dentistry component consists of learning the normal dentition of the juvenile & adult small animal , basic dental homecare and prophylactic dental care in hospital. The surgical component begins with the care and handling of surgical instruments, preparation of surgical packs, sterilization techniques, and preparation and post-op care in the operating room. The spay and neuter operation will also be explained.

Veterinary Administrative Procedures II

This course is designed to introduce the student to the administrative duties and procedures required in a veterinary clinic/hospital setting. Topics covered will include reception skills, appointment scheduling, telephone techniques, inventory control, filing, record management, interpersonal skills, stress management, conflict resolution, and grief counseling and Employability Skills. These procedures will be taught and learned using hard copy documents and, where applicable, popular veterinary software programs (AviMark and Cornerstone).

Practicum

The practicum is an important component of the program. It is where you will further hone your acquired skills in an animal care practice for three weeks. This valuable experience will greatly improve your employability and will, if your performance warrants it, supply you with a reference for launching your new career. Some of our graduates have been hired from their practicum placements.

The practicum is mandatory for graduation. To be eligible you must successfully complete all the coursework and demonstrate employability skills throughout the program.