Do you love learning about and caring for animals? Learn more about animals, animal welfare, and how to become a veterinarian through 4-H club activities. Then, if you are interested in becoming a veterinary assistant, you can go through a veterinary assistant preparatory training to prepare for a future career as a vet tech.
If you are interested in a career as a veterinarian, start with your veterinary assistant certificate! To receive your veterinary assistant certificate through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Veterinary Medicine, you must complete 100 lessons and 500 hours of apprenticeship. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the exam for certification through the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA).
A few things you will learn and do in this project are: Animal nutrition,Handling and restraining animals,Helping with animal examinations and treatments,Infectious diseases of animals,Non-infectious diseases and Aiding with surgery.
You will also have an opportunity to attend a 4-H veterinary science camp.
Resources
- Youth Veterinarian Summer Camp
- Veterinary Science: Preparatory Training for the Veterinary Assistant by Floron C. Faries Jr., (contains 75 core lessons and 25 clinical lessons and Teacher keys)
- One Health Science & Technology by Heather L. Simmons (contains 25 One Health lessons and Teacher keys)
- Laboratory Science & Technology by Heather L. Simmons (contains 25 laboratory science lessons and Teacher keys )
Extension Veterinary Medicine- 4-H Program
This program provides the training and experience needed to receive a veterinary assistant classification. Students who finish the program are eligible to take the CVA certification from the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. If you are interested in getting a degree in veterinary science, this program is a great start. There are several program tracks, ranging from clinical to laboratory. Once you have finished the core 100 lessons you may begin studying in your chosen track. The course culminates with a apprenticeship. View the Extension Veterinary Medicine Website to learn more.
Contests
Veterinary Science Skill-a-thon
This contest tests your veterinary knowledge and skills you have learned throughout the project. In order to apply you need to be involved with a Texas 4-H club and enrolled in a structured veterinary science program. Visit the State Roundup webpage to learn more.
