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Common Course Outline

Course discipline/number/title VT 1900: Small Animal Care and Management

Catalog Description

Credits 2
Hours/Week 3 (1 lecture, 2 lab)
Prerequisites (Course discipline/number) CHEM 1101, COMM 1114 or ENGL 1117, MATH 1026, VT 1010, VT 1110
Other requirements Attendance is required for successful completion of this course. To enroll in this course, all previous required courses must have been completed with a grade of C or better.
MnTC Goals (if any) NA

Course Description

This course will introduce concepts of animal care and kennel management. This course focuses on handling and restraint, safety, regulations and equipment of animal facilities, basic behavior concepts, and kennel management of domestic animals. The course aims to distinguish normal small animal behavior and animal husbandry. Hands on animal care duties and teamwork will be incorporated into this course. Attendance is required for successful completion of this course. To enroll in this course, all previous required courses must have been completed with a grade of C or better.

Date Last Revised (Month, year)

November, 2022

Outline of Major Content Areas

  1. Record keeping procedures
  2. Kennel management
  3. Animal behavior
  4. Animal husbandry
  5. Zoonosis

Learning Outcomes (General)

The student will be able to:

  1. . Demonstrate knowledge of basic normal and abnormal canine and feline behavior.
  2. Identify the danger potential of each species so that safety is a focus when restraining successfully.
  3. Predict the common behavioral characteristics and identify successful methods of restraint to be used.
  4. Perform basic husbandry methods for companion animals.
  5. Prepare and feed diets for dogs and cats.
  6. Clean and disinfect cages and kennels.
  7. Demonstrate familiarity with zoonotic diseases of dogs and cats.
  8. Perform kennel duties.
  9. Identify normal behavior of domestic animals.
  10. Recognize normal and abnormal behaviors of domestic animals.
  11. Demonstrate knowledge of kennel management.
  12. Demonstrate animal socialization and obedience training.

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):

Personal and Professional Accountability
Students will take responsibility as active learners for achieving their educational and personal goals.

Special Information (if any)

The initial lab session explains and familiarizes the student with general safety hazards and safety equipment to the lab. During the pre- lab discussion, the hazardous characteristics of any materials used during a lab are discussed. In addition, if the lab involves any potentially infectious or zoonotic material, the students will be instructed on the proper use and disposal. The instructor will direct all students to where necessary protective equipment while working with any hazardous chemicals. A copy of Material Safety Data Sheets for chemicals used is available in the lab.