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| The preparatory training for the veterinary assistant provides a sound platform for students who wish to become a veterinary assistant or pursue an associate, undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree in veterinary science. |
| Graduates receive Veterinary Assistant (VA) classification by successfully completing a course of study (100 lessons, lesson questions, and 50 activities) in veterinary science along with an apprenticeship (500 hours, clinical or non-clinical) in veterinary medicine. |
| Students may choose from the following career tracks: – Veterinary assisting in clinical practice (pet, livestock, and exotic animal health care) – Veterinary assisting in laboratory practice (animal health research and diagnostics) – Veterinary assisting in One Health (integrated animal, human, and environmental health) |
| Print editions are available through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Bookstore. |
| Web-Based resources are available through Texas A&M Conference Services and hosted at eXtension Online Campus. |
| To satisfy the apprenticeship component, student must be accepted into a VA trainee position, paid or unpaid, in a clinical or nonclinical career field of the veterinary profession. |
| After sufficient observation hours, student must gain a minimum of 500 hands-on work hours acquiring the skills and competencies necessary to complete the certificate program. Completion of the clinical skill hours fulfills the apprenticeship requirement. |
| High School Implementation: Curriculum: 1 year (10th grade) Apprenticeship: 2 years: (11th and 12th grade)
Certificates: |
| Upon completion of the curriculum and apprenticeship, graduates are eligible for state certification by examination through the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA). |
| For assistance or for more information: Joe W. Mask, PhD Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases (IIAD) joe.mask@ag.tamu.edu (979) 845-4353 |
