Common Course Outline

Course discipline/number/title VT 1110: Introduction to Veterinary Technology

Catalog Description

Credits 3
Hours/Week 3
Prerequisites (Course discipline/number) None
Other requirements College level reading and writing recommended
MnTC Goals (if any) NA

Course Description

This course introduces the student to the profession of veterinary medicine and the members of the veterinary health care team. Topics of the course include veterinary law and ethics, career opportunities, professionalism, occupational safety, the role of animals in society, human- animal bonds, pet loss, and euthanasia.

Date Last Revised (Month, year)

November, 2024

Outline of Major Content Areas

  1. Overview of Veterinary Technology
  2. Veterinary Health Care Team - definitions, roles and job duties
  3. Professional organizations
  4. Regulatory Agencies
  5. Careers and career paths
  6. Professional Ethics and Laws
  7. Professionalism
  8. Practice acts
  9. Professional Communication
  10. Ethics
  11. Laws governing veterinary medicine
  12. Professional growth
  13. Animals in Society
  14. Animal industries
  15. Human animal bond
  16. Animal use and ownership
  17. Animal welfare
  18. Animal rights
  19. Companion Animals
    1. Domestication
    2. Scientific / Common names
    3. Animal husbandry
    4. Dog breeds
    5. Cat breeds
    6. Preventative health programs
  20. Pet Loss
  21. Types of pet loss
  22. Euthanasia
  23. The grief process
  24. Health care team responsibility
  25. Safety in the Veterinary Facility
  26. Hazards in the workplace
  27. OSHA
  28. Zoonotic diseases
  29. Public health

Learning Outcomes (General)

The student will be able to:

  1. Understand the history, career opportunities and the members of the veterinary health team.
  2. Understand, identify and discuss the ethics, professionalism and laws governing the activities of the veterinary health team.
  3. Understand how animal welfare and animal rights affect the responsibilities of the veterinary health team while working with animals in our society.
  4. Discuss safety issues consistent with CVTEA Policy on Safety and OSHA regulations
  5. Understand the relationship of the human animal bond and how it relates to the veterinary health care team.
  6. Discuss the role of the veterinary health care team in dealing with pet loss and euthanasia.
  7. Understand preventive health care and recommend vaccination schedules for various species as it relates to client education.
  8. Identify the common carriers of zoonotic diseases, how these diseases affect the animal carriers and how the diseases are transmitted to humans.
  9. Discuss legal and ethical issues related to the veterinary technology profession.
  10. Select appropriate strategies for dealing with personal and emotional issues confronting veterinary technicians.
  11. Demonstrate a basic understanding of cat, dog, and large animal breeds.

Learning Outcomes (MnTC)

NA

Methods for Evaluation of Student Learning

Methods may include but are not limited to:

RCTC Core Outcome(s)

This course contributes to meeting the following RCTC Core Outcome(s):

Critical Thinking
Students will think systematically and explore information thoroughly before accepting or formulating a position or conclusion.

Special Information (if any)

None