Students will gain an understanding of ten different anatomical systems. Systems include: digestive, excretory, reproductive, cardiac, respiratory, muscular, skeletal, nervous, endocrine, and integumentary. Students will also become familiar with the anatomy of the eye and ear. This course will discuss basic physiology as well as common conditions related to these systems.

Students will become familiar with common medical terms, suffixes and prefixed, as related to the Veterinary industry.

Following a pre-lab lecture, students have the opportunity for hands on experience during laboratory sessions. Labs will include: equine handling, restraint and grooming; bovine handling and restraint; canine and feline handling, restraint and medicating; and emergency care and triage.

Students will learn and use related pharmacological terminology with abbreviations, and become familiar with control drug regulations as well as the various drug classifications. Students will be able to perform basic drug dose calculations; non-invasive drug administration techniques; safe drug handling and disposal methods. This course is also designed to familiarize students with the financial management needs of a veterinary clinic. Basic accounting concepts will be taught using veterinary industry accounting software programs.

Issues dealing with communication between the veterinary team and clients, as well as between co-workers and the employer/veterinarian, are explored using communication theory and skills. Application of theories are demonstrated through discussions and class exercises. Hand-on computer labs will introduce students to the various computer operating systems.

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of nutrition, including general feeding guidelines for dogs and cats as well as specific nutritional needs including prescription and specialty diets. This course also introduces students to general animal behavior of various species, as well as the importance of human-animal bond and animal care responsibilities that include care for pocket pets, reptiles and birds.

Students will learn the more common diseases and parasites of small and large animals. Common diseases (including zoonotic diseases), as well as their prevention through vaccination will be taught. Also included will be the transmission and control of common parasites.

This course will equip the student with the knowledge of how to protect themselves and others from common hazards while working in a veterinary hospital, or related business. The student will complete and receive WHMIS certification and have an understanding of safe handling of various types of laboratory and biological hazards. This course will also provide the student, through hands-on participation, the basic knowledge of commonly used veterinary laboratory procedures, sample collection and safe sample handling.

Continued from Semester 1, these clinical practice labs will include: radiography developing and surgical principles.

This course is designed to introduce the student to veterinary office administration practices and procedures. Emphasis will be placed on first impressions, maintaining medical records, appointment scheduling and inventory maintenance. Students will also complete a unit in Keyboarding & Medical Transcription. The lab portion of this course is designed to give students hands-on experience creating invoices, estimates, generating reports including various client focused forms and inventory tracking. The students will be exposed to and use two different veterinary software programs.

Students will explore the ideas of our role regarding our choices of employment. They will have a good understanding of the Employment Standards Act and become familiar with the important areas of personnel record management, work ethics, and a positive professional image. This course is will also introduce students to marketing as it relates to public relations in small animal veterinary practices. Emphasis will be placed on understanding CVO legislation as it pertains to veterinary hospital marketing and public relations, the challenges of marketing professional services vs. products, and understanding client expectations.

Students will be introduced to general health care and breed recognition of dogs and cats; basic handling and restraint; how to handle emergency situations in the clinic; general grooming techniques; and common surgeries performed in the veterinary hospital.

Upon completion of the second semester, students are required to satisfactorily complete a mandatory 4week (140 hour) work placement at a veterinary related business organized with the assistance of the program placement coordinator. Both the host business and course facilitator will evaluate the student. A Pass/Fail designation will be assigned upon the completion of the course.