4-H Program

The Veterinary Science Certificate Program provides 4-H students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a veterinary assistant. Students who complete the program receive Veterinary Assistant (VA) classification and are eligible for CVA certification through the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA).

How the Program Works

• 4-H students (ages 12-18) enroll in the county 4-H Veterinary Science Certificate Program and complete the program in 3 to 5 years.
• Students complete the curriculum and apprenticeship in their chosen career track.
• Students who complete both curriculum and apprenticeship receive Veterinary Assistant (VA) classification in their chosen career track.
• Graduates of this program are eligible for certification through the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) by examination.

Career Tracks (students complete 75 core lessons and 25 lessons in their chosen career track for a total of 100 lessons)

1. Clinical track (companion, livestock, and exotic animal health) – classification Veterinary Assistant (VA) clinical
   Student completes 75 core and 25 clinical lesson found in Veterinary Science: Preparatory Training for the Veterinary Assistant.
2. One Health track (animal, human, and environmental health) – classification Veterinary Assistant (VA) One Health
   Student completes 75 core lessons found in Veterinary Science: Preparatory Training for the Veterinary Assistant and 25 laboratory lesson in the One Health Science & Technology supplement.
   
3. Laboratory track (animal health research and diagnostics) – classification Veterinary Assistant (VA) Laboratory Science
   Student completes 75 core lessons found in Veterinary Science: Preparatory Training for the Veterinary Assistant and 25 laboratory lessons in the Laboratory Science & Technology supplement.

Curriculum:

Print editions: available through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Bookstore

• Veterinary Science: Preparatory Training for the Veterinary Assistant by Floron C. Faries Jr., (contains 75 core lessons and 25 clinical lessons)
• One Health Science & Technology by Heather L.  Simmons (contains 25 One Health lessons)
• Laboratory Science & Technology by Heather L. Simmons (contains 25  laboratory science lessons)
• Teacher keys are available for each book

Web-Based Teacher Resources: available through Texas A&M AgriLife Conference Service and hosted at Extension Campus. The Web-Based Teacher Resources are intended for use with the print editions and include:

• Teacher-led videos for each lesson
• PPT slides sets with student note sheets
• Set of a question and activity handouts
• PPTs using inexpensive models to teach clinical skills
• Videos depicting clinical skills
• Teacher key and curriculum guide
• Grade and apprenticeship log sheets

You may view all the web-based curriculum resources on the TAMU AgriLife Extension Conference Services website at: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu

Apprenticeship

Students track and  complete a minimum of 500 clinical skill hours in an apprenticeship role under the supervision of a:

• Veterinarian, RVT, LVT (clinical track) in veterinary practice
• One Health professional (One Health track) regulatory, environmental, animal, or human health related industry
• Laboratory professional (laboratory track) diagnostic or research laboratory
• Students may download the application form and level I clinical skills checklist from the TVMA website at:
•  http://www.tvma.org < Certifications < CVA < CVA Applications and Checklists > for 4H Programs