Certificate of Completion of 4-H Veterinary Science Curriculum
The curriculum of the 4-H Veterinary Science Project includes lessons, activities, and job training (volunteer or salaried). Certificates of Completion are presented with Veterinary Assistant designation to all students who successfully complete the 5-year curriculum of 100 lessons, 50 activities, and 500 to 1500 work hours in job-training positions. The student who completes the curriculum is classified as a Veterinary Assistant (not certified) and receives a Certificate of Completion and possibly in addition an Award of Excellence, which is based on performance.
Acceptable level to receive the Certificate of Completion is 100% completion of the scheduled and assigned lessons and activities and over 60% completion of lesson questions, activity reports, and work hours. Performance above 70% is encouraged in completing questions, reports, and work hours. Certificates and awards may be presented each year for the year completed; for Year 1, Year 2 and so forth.
Private veterinary clinics are the common places for job-training positions for the students but other places with employed veterinarians may be considered, such as animal shelters, farms and ranches, drug companies, research centers, rehabilitation centers, veterinary technician schools, zoos, slaughter plants, livestock auction sales and major livestock shows.
Work hours (800-2400) are not forced or required for Certificates of Participation, but expected of the students in order to receive a Certificate of Completion. The number of work hours for each year is not a set number of hours, but rather, depends on the age of the student. The student and veterinarian document the hours in volunteer or salaries job-training positions. Whether in volunteer or salaried positions, annual goals of students for work hours are:
