The information that is given regarding these questions are for an education basis only. You should consult your veterinarian before any action is taken. We appreciate your continued support for this program.

Q: My daughter wants to participate in the 4-H Vet Science Program? Who do I need to contact if this program is not established in my county?

A: You will need to contact your local county agent and see for sure if the program is not established. From there you and the agent need to contact Sarah White at 979-845-4353 or swhite@cvm.tamu.edu. Once your agent and Sarah have visited, an orientation meeting may be scheduled to implement the project. More information can be found at http://aevm.tamu.edu.

Q: Can adults participate in the Veterinary Assistant Program that is offered for 4-H students?

A: The referenced veterinary science publications are designed for a teacher to teach student(s) in a veterinary assistant career track enrolled classes of a County 4-H Project, a High School Ag CoOp Program, a High School Ag Science Course, or a Community Education Project and can be utilized in a self-study program. The curriculum includes text instruction in the class and experience training in the work environment. Initial completion of the curriculum prepares the student to be employed as a non-certified veterinary assistant (VA).

The Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) offers certification of adults by providing additional educational course material and requiring work hours to complete for levels of certified veterinary assistants (CVA). For this program, go to website, http://www.tvma.org, click Hospital Personnel, Certified Vet Asst, and CVA Training & Certification Program.

Information pertaining to formal studies offered by institutions for Veterinary Technician (VT) and Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) Programs by resident teaching and distance learning is also available at the Hospital Personnel click on the TVMA website. Veterinary Technicians are registered by American Veterinary Medical association (AVMA), and complete information on veterinary technology institutions and curricula is available at http://www.avma.org by clicking AVMA Educational Resources and Vet Tech Programs.

Q: Do you become certified after completion of the 4-H Veterinary Science Curriculum?

A: On completion of the 4-H Veterinary Science Curriculum, a Certificate of Completion is printed by the county and presented to the 4-H’er. Anyone who excelled is also presented an additional certificate or plaque printed by the county office, Certificate of Completion in Excellence or Award of Completion in Excellence. In order to become a certified veterinary assistant one must take a test and pass.

Q: Can I become a certified veterinary assistant?

A: Certification application can be pursued before or after graduation from high school. The 4-H Veterinary Science Curriculum meets the education requirement for this field. Certification of Veterinary Assistants is by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA). In order to find out more go to the TVMA website at: http://www.tvma.org. From here click on “Hospital Personnel” on the homepage and “Certified Veterinary Asst” on next page for answers to questions and phone number/email address for application to apply. The work hour requirements under a supervising veterinarian are required. The requirements are 90 days full-time (720 hours). There is a few to take the exam of $125. Test is administered by a veterinarian or 4-H leader and returned to TVMA for scoring. Once certified, the certification is good for one year. After the year is up the individual must become re-certified, however, no exam is involved.

Information pertaining to formal studies offered by institutions for Veterinary Technician (VT) and Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) Programs by resident teaching and distance learning is also available at the Hospital Personnel link on the TVMA website. Veterinary Technicians are registered by American Veterinary Medical association (AVMA), and complete information on veterinary technology institutions and curricula is available at http://www.avma.org by clicking AVMA Educational Resources and Vet Tech Programs.

Q: How can we add new kids to an already existing program?

A: There are several options that are available to the adult leader of the group. The adult leader just has to decide which is more beneficial to the entire group. The following are several options available

1.      A new Year 1 group can be formed for new members to begin Year 1 with the adult leader overseeing this group and having an adult volunteer taking on the work of grading papers.

2.      Start a new group with new leaders.

3.      When a second group is not available, new members can attend some of the Group Lessons scheduled for the Year 2 group and attend some Group Lessons scheduled for Year 1. These Year 1 group lessons are scheduled on other evening (if several new members) or the same evening (if few new members) before or after a group lesson for Year 2. These may be taught by a Year 2 student or by the speaker. This continues throughout the 5 years. Group activities may be for Year 2 with individual activities having Year 1 emphasis.

4.      Year 1 could be self study for lessons and activities with help of parents and tutors while participating in Year 2 group. He new members complete Year 1 by the end of their first or second year.

5.      Skip Year 1 and not receive a certificate of completion. At the end the student receives a certificate of participation

There are just a few ways to work around this situation. If you have any questions please call us at 979-845-4353

Q: How can I become the project leader of the 4-H Veterinary Science Project?

A: To become the project leader of the 4-H science group you must visit with your county extension agent. They will be able to help you fill out the appropriate leader forms

Q: Are the "certificate of excellence" awarded yearly or at the end of the 5 years?

A: They are awarded yearly to recognize those students who are doing outstanding work.

Q: Is the certificate of completion awarded yearly or at the end of the project?

A: The Certificate of Completion is awarded at the end of the project. The county is responsible for printing the certificates there at the office.

Q: Where do I get the certificates to give to the students?

A: There is not a standard certificate that is used. You county agent can help you find certificate paper and print them for you.

Q: Can I become a Certified Veterinary Assistant through the 4-H Veterinary Science Project?

A: No. The 4-H Vet Science Project has nothing to do with the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) certification process. They are two separate projects. The vet science project is just to get the title of vet assistant and a certificate of completion (which is through 4-H). The hours worked, homework, projects, etc are used to help the student gain knowledge on the subject of veterinary medicine. If a student decides that they want to become a certified vet assistant, it is through TVMA, not 4-H. In order to do this students have to have 500 clinical (hands on, actually doing stuff) hours that the veterinarian records. The veterinarian administers the exam to the student.

The hours are different between the two programs. With the 4-H vet science project, they can shadow the vet, clean kennels, etc and count those hours at the vet clinic towards their 500 hours. The hours required for TVMA are actual clinical/skill hours.

Q: Can I still be in the 4-H Veterinary Science Project if I am a sophomore or junior in high school? How do the work hours fit in?

A: Yes. But you’ll have to double up on hours and on the lessons as well. They have the same requirements: Complete all 100 lessons, 50 activities, questions, activity reports and work 500 hours. Just because they have less time to do this does not mean that they don't have to complete it.

Q: What happens if I miss a group lesson or activity?

A: If you miss a group lesson or activity, you then have to complete that assignment as an individual lesson. The reason for having group lessons is so that a "subject matter expert" can come in and teach the material. We realize that other things come up sometimes and that students will not always be able to make the lessons. If you miss group activities, you can complete the activity on their own or with other individuals who miss as well.

Q: When can we start the project? Does this project follow the same 4-H year that is Sept. thru August?

A: You can start the project whenever you feel like it would be the best time. Once an orientation meeting has been conducted in the county, it is up to the project leader and the Extension agent to set the time for the next meeting. This project does not have to follow the typical 4-H year, but it can.

Q: Do all meetings have to have a professional speaker? If we don't have one lined up, can a leader give the lecture and go over the lesson?

A: By all means yes! If you are having difficulty finding someone to come and teach the lesson, a leader can teach the lesson. Both Dr. Faries and Angie Dement will come back to the county once a year to teach a lesson. Just give us a call as well.

Q: Do kids have to write something after each activity they do?

A: It depends on the activity if they have to write something up. For instance, the dog and cat quiz bowl at the animal shelter may not require any write up. It all depends on the county and what they have set up as guidelines. You do have to have a way to make sure that they are learning at least 60% of the material though.

Q: Is it 60% of completion of the questions or 60% correct answers?

A: It is 60% of the questions answered correctly. Remember, the answers can be found in the book.

Q: Are certificates awarded each year? Who supplies those, A&M or the club or at the county achievement banquet?

A: Certificates of participation, excellence etc. can be awarded annually to make sure that we are recognizing those individuals. This is also a good way that we can keep their interest in the project. The certificates will come from the county/club. The 4-H Vet Science Program does not have any set certificates that have to be used. Other counties have just gone down to an office supply store and purchased the paper that already looks like a certificate and writes or types in the name. There is no "official" certificate.

Q: Are certificates awarded each year? Who supplies those, A&M or the club or at the county achievement banquet?

A: Certificates of participation, excellence etc. can be awarded annually to make sure that we are recognizing those individuals. This is also a good way that we can keep their interest in the project. The certificates will come from the county/club. The 4-H Vet Science Program does not have any set certificates that have to be used. Other counties have just gone down to an office supply store and purchased the paper that already looks like a certificate and writes or types in the name. There is no "official" certificate.

Q: Have other groups developed some type of student "tracking" chart or spreadsheet that you know of? We're thinking it would be wise to keep tabs on attendance, hours completed, lessons completed, etc....?

A: Yes, other groups have developed a method of keeping up with the lessons and activities complete and I highly encourage it. On our website under “Forms” there is a grade sheet that can be used to track homework and activity grades for the entire 5-years.

Q: What type of documentation do we have to provide TAMU concerning the 4-H student's completion of the program or do we just keep our own records for each student?

A:  There is no official documentation that you have to provide to Extension Veterinary Medicine.  The leaders and the county keep track of all homework, hours and activity reports.

Q: Are the "certificate of excellence" awarded yearly or at the end of the 5 years?

A: They are awarded yearly to recognize those students who are doing outstanding work.

Q: Is the certificate of completion awarded yearly or at the end of the project?

A: The Certificate of Completion is awarded at the end of the project. The county is responsible for printing the certificates there at the office.

Q: Where do I get the certificates to give to the students?

A: There is not a standard certificate that is used. You county agent can help you find certificate paper and print them for you.

Q: Can I become a Certified Veterinary Assistant through the 4-H Veterinary Science Project?

A: No. The 4-H Vet Science Project has nothing to do with the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) certification process. They are two separate projects. The vet science project is just to get the title of vet assistant and a certificate of completion (which is through 4-H). The hours worked, homework, projects, etc are used to help the student gain knowledge on the subject of veterinary medicine. IF a student decides that they want to become a certified vet assistant, it is through TVMA, not 4-H. In order to do this students have to have 500 clinical (hands on, actually doing stuff) hours that the veterinarian records. The veterinarian administers the exam to the student.

The hours are different between the two programs. With the 4-H vet science project, they can shadow the vet, clean kennels, etc and count those hours at the vet clinic towards their 500 hours. The hours required for TVMA are actual clinical hours.

Q: Are certificates awarded each year? Who supplies them, A&M or the club?

A: Certificates of participation, excellence etc. can be awarded annually to make sure that we are recognizing those individuals. This is also a good way that we can keep their interest in the project. The certificates will come from the county/club. The 4-H Vet Science Program does not have any set certificates that have to be used. Other counties have just gone down to an office supply store and purchased the paper that already looks like a certificate and writes or types in the name. There is no "official" certificate.

Q: Are certificates awarded each year? Who supplies those, A&M or the club or at the county achievement banquet?

A: Certificates of participation, excellence etc. can be awarded annually to make sure that we are recognizing those individuals. This is also a good way that we can keep their interest in the project. The certificates will come from the county/club. The 4-H Vet Science Program does not have any set certificates that have to be used. Other counties have just gone down to an office supply store and purchased the paper that already looks like a certificate and writes or types in the name. There is no "official" certificate.

Q: For the Vet Science Project can a student receive volunteer hours for working cattle? Working at an auction barn?

A: Students must work with veterinarians in areas of their work whether in clinic or field settings. They must be associated with the veterinarians. If by working cattle a veterinarian will be present, then yes this will count. If no veterinarian is present then it does not count towards the hours needed. As for the auction barn, as long as a veterinarian is there and they are working together then yes, this will count.

Q: Is there a sample Waiver of Liability form that can be used so the students can work/volunteer at a clinic?

A: There is a Waiver of Liability form that may be found on our website at http://aevm.tamu.edu under “Forms”.

Q: When should younger kids (3^rd and 4^th graders) start worrying about work hours?

A: The younger kids could potentially wait to start working their hours if they are having a difficult time finding a clinic to start working at. The hours are just a suggestion, but in order to receive the title of Vet Assistant, they must work a minimum of 500 hours.

Q: How many hours do the students work?

A: The students must have a minimum of 500 hours for the entire 5-year project. However, if they work over 800 hours, students are eligible for an award of excellence.

Q: Can I still be in the 4-H Veterinary Science Project if I am a sophomore or junior in high school? How do the work hours fit in?

A: Yes. But you’ll have to double up on hours and on the lessons as well. They have the same requirements: Complete all 100 lessons, 50 activities, questions, activity reports and work 500 hours. Just because they have less time to do this does not mean that they don't have to complete it.

Q: Does the leader need to keep track of all kids' volunteer hours?

A: On our website, there is a blank hours worked form that the students can download and print off and keep track of their hours. The form has a place for the veterinarian’s name, clinic, hours worked and a signature. The leader can collect these once a month and log the number of hours that the students worked.

Q: One parent just called me and is having a hard time finding a vet. clinic who will let her 9-year old volunteer. Maybe the young kids can participate in the program and wait until they get older to start volunteering?

A: That is definitely an option. In order to receive the Certificate of Complete they have to have at least 500 hours. They can do that in a year or two. Maybe for now the best thing is to let them just wait for a couple of years and then start working on the hours.

Q: Can you give me some details on the hours of service required too? I see that 8-10 year-olds are expected to give about 6 hours a month. Is that a hard-fast rule or can we adjust it on our end? Are there many vets who would allow a kid that young to help at their clinic (for liability reasons)?

A: The hours on the ppt are just a suggestion. As long as they work the minimum of 500 for the entire 5 years they can receive the title of vet assistant. There are some vets that are allowing the younger kids to shadow/volunteer at the clinics. Just have the kids take a copy of the brochure (which they can download off of our website) to the vet and explain why they need to work there.

Q: Does my county have a copy of the Veterinary Assistant Handbook?

A: All counties were sent a copy of the handbook in 1996, however we realize that they could possibly have been lost. You can purchase new books for your county through our website (http://aevm.tamu.edu) which is linked to IMS.

Q: Do we need to order all the books at the same time?

A: The books do not all have to be ordered at the same time. The county can place one big order or students can order then on their own. It really just depends on how the county wants to handle the situation. You can order the books through IMS at http://aevm.tamu.edu and clicking on “Handbook Information”.

Q: Do I as a parent need to order the answer key?

A: Unless you are a project leader or assistant, there really is no reason to order the answer key.

Q: Can a registered Vet Tech receive CE for speaking to a group for the vet science project?

A: Unfortunately the can not receive CE because it does not meet the requirements for credit. However, an acknowledgment of the individual teaching the lesson can be made by writing a letter to them and include the program agenda for their career ladder documentation.

Q: My 4-H group is planning a behind the scenes tour of a zoo with the zoo veterinarian. Are there any questions or topics that we might need to ask him?

A: This is great exposure for the kids to see exotic animals in confinement and allows for them to emphasize an area that can be to learn programs to maintain healthy animals in unnatural environments by providing proper nutrition and preventing transmission of disease agents. These two programs are developed in all domestic and wild animal species by relating animals to animals and animals to the environment. They can learn the common problems in this type of environment. The veterinarian can explain what the every day work in a zoo is like. The veterinarian can present what the employment market is for veterinarians in zoo animal practice, research and teaching.

Q: What happens if I miss a group lesson or activity?

A: If you miss a group lesson or activity, you then have to complete that assignment as an individual lesson. The reason for having group lessons is so that a "subject matter expert" can come in and teach the material. We realize that other things come up sometimes and that students will not always be able to make the lessons. If you miss group activities, you can complete the activity on their own or with other individuals who miss as well.

Q: Do all meetings have to have a professional speaker? If we don't have one lined up, can a leader give the lecture and go over the lesson?

A: By all means yes! If you are having difficulty finding someone to come and teach the lesson, a leader can teach the lesson. Both Dr. Faries and Angie Dement will come back to the county once a year to teach a lesson. Just give us a call as well.

Q: Do kids have to write something after each activity they do?

A: It depends on the activity if they have to write something up. For instance, the dog and cat quiz bowl at the animal shelter may not require any write up. It all depends on the county and what they have set up as guidelines. You do have to have a way to make sure that they are learning at least 60% of the material though.

Q: Is it 60% of completion of the questions or 60% correct answers?

A: It is 60% of the questions answered correctly. Remember, the answers can be found in the book.

Q: Has the date been set for the CVM Open House?

A: The date for Open House is usually decided upon in January. Once a date has been set an email will be sent out to all existing vet science project as well as posted on the Extension Vet Med website.

Q: When you were here you mentioned that you or Dr. Fairies would return to teach one lesson per year, does the introduction lesson count as our lesson for this year?

A: No, the orientation lesson does not count as a lesson. Dr. Faries and myself will both be more than happy to come and help teach another lesson each year if you have difficulties finding people to help.

Q: My daughter shows a lot of interest in becoming a vet. She loves animals and would like to know what kind of schooling and training it takes to become a vet?

A: In order to answer this question, you need to visit http://www.cvm.tamu.edu or call 979-845-5051 for information pertaining to academic requirements and selection criteria for admission to the professional curriculum. Information on a youth program, 4-H Veterinary Science, is available at http://aevm.tamu.edu.

Q: Can you tell me about what college courses that I must take in order to be a Veterinarian? I also want to know if there is someone that I can contact about specializing in surgery. 

A: I refer you to http://www.cvm.tamu.edu for information pertaining to academic requirements and selection criteria for admission to the professional curriculum. You can also call 979-845-5051 to schedule an appointment for counseling. Information on a youth program, 4-H Veterinary Science, is available at http://aevm.tamu.edu. The scheduled annual events of Open House and Veterinary Enrichment Camp at the College will be of interest to you. Career counseling is available during the Open House. Specializations as in surgery are normally pursued by DVM graduates in 3-year residency programs following the 4-year professional veterinary program. The pre-veterinary program is an average of 4 years for completion of the prerequisites for admission application to the veterinary program.

Q: What is the difference between a "vet tech." and a "vet tech assistant"?

A: First off there is no such thing as a vet tech assistant. There is a vet tech (Associate's degree) and a vet assistant (this project with no formalized schooling). Both titles have to potential to be either certified or registered. With the vet assistant, individuals can go through the veterinarian that they are working with to petition TVMA (Texas Veterinary Medical Association) and take a test and become a "Certified Vet Assistant". For individuals who take the path of a vet tech, they must complete their associate's degree. Upon completion they can petition the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) and take a test and can become a registered vet tech (RVT).

Q: Do you recommend the Cornell ERP vet. science curriculum set? A page with that info is attached to the paperwork. It is $100. Who would pay for that?

A: The material that was included in that handout is supplemental. I know that the Nebraska material is geared more for the younger group. I would evaluate the different age groups that are in the club and work from there. If you have some 3rd to 4th graders, I would have a separate group for them (they meet at the same time as the other group) but have them work on the Nebraska material. Then when they hit 5th grade start them on the vet assistant handbook. This is a little easier adjustment for them. As for the Cornell material, I have not seen that material so I can not make any decisions on it. If you have the handbook, that is all the material that they will need for this project. If you do purchase the Cornell material, it would be from your own pocket.

Q: Are we still able to order that Smith Kline Beecham "Careers in Vet. Med." video?

A: To the best of my knowledge yes. But once again, this is just supplemental and is not truly necessary for this project. We attach those pages just so you can see what else is out there if you want to purchase more.