Eastside Technical Center
2208 Liberty Road
Lexington, KY 40509
859-381-3740
Locust Trace AgriScience Center
242 Locust Farm Road
Lexington, KY 40511
859-381-3990
Southside Technical Center
1800 Harrodsburg Road
Lexington, KY 40504
859-381-3603
The Veterinary Assistant Program
At Locust Trace
Instructors:
Kathleen Magsam, LVT
Latissa O’Cull Higgins, LVT
Phone (859) 381-3990 ext 30217
Phone (859) 381-3990 ext 30230
Email Kathleen.magsam@fayette.kyschools.us
Email latissa.higgins@fayette.kyschools.us
Summary: This program prepares students for careers in the veterinary industry. Students will handle
animals daily and work closely with the Locust Trace Veterinary Clinic. Students will master hands on
skills used in a veterinary clinic as well as sanitation, procedures and knowledge of animal husbandry.
Certification: The Veterinary Assistant Program is endorsed by the National Association of Veterinary
Technicians in America to offer the Approved Veterinary Assistant certification. This is a nationally
recognized certification that can be used in the industry to gain higher paid careers as well as aiding
in college entrance. This certification test may be taken at the end of Level 2, and costs
$100/student. We are looking into additional funding to assist in the payment of this fee.
Eastside Technical Center
2208 Liberty Road
Lexington, KY 40509
859-381-3740
Locust Trace AgriScience Center
242 Locust Farm Road
Lexington, KY 40511
859-381-3990
Southside Technical Center
1800 Harrodsburg Road
Lexington, KY 40504
859-381-3603
Course Description
Veterinary Assistant, Level 1
Given teacher modeling, hands on practice and experiential learning, students will perform the
following tasks with 90% accuracy:
Orientation and Safety
1. Interpret the attendance, discipline and grading standards for the Locust Trace Agriscience
Center.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the school’s layout, resources and evacuation procedures.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the program standards, objectives, dress code and safety
guidelines.
4. Identify the course grading and internship policies.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of OSHA and DEA regulations for work in a veterinary facility.
6. Describe the roles and responsibilities of different careers in veterinary medicine.
7. Understand the human-animal bond
8. Demonstrate professional appearance and language in the workplace.
9. Demonstrate appropriate use of electronic communication in the workplace.
10. Demonstrate knowledge of safety precautions with storing and handling hazardous materials
found in the veterinary hospital.
11. Recognize common zoonotic hazards and how to safely handle animals with zoonotic diseases.
12. Describe isolation procedures and identify when isolation is appropriate.
13. Demonstrate knowledge of chemical hazards and how to safely handle common chemicals in
the veterinary hospital.
Veterinary Terminology
1. Demonstrate knowledge of common species terms.
Basic Animal Husbandry Skills
1. Clean and disinfect a kennel or cage.
2. Remove an animal from an enclosure, weigh animal and record weight in medical record.
Eastside Technical Center
2208 Liberty Road
Lexington, KY 40509
859-381-3740
Locust Trace AgriScience Center
242 Locust Farm Road
Lexington, KY 40511
859-381-3990
Southside Technical Center
1800 Harrodsburg Road
Lexington, KY 40504
859-381-3603
3. Walk a dog on a slip leash in a controlled manner.
4. Identify normal and abnormal animal behavior.
Animal Grooming Skills
1. Brush a dog or cat using correct grooming tool, including removal of mats.
2. Groom a horse and pick out hooves.
3. Trim a dog’s nails.
4. Trim a cat’s nails.
5. Demonstrate proper use of clippers and clipper blades.
6. Maintain clippers and clipper blades.
7. Dip a patient.
8. Bathe a patient.
9. Express anal glands using the external method.
10. Clean normal ears.
Veterinary Office Procedures
1. Identify the parts of a medical record.
2. Create a medical record for a new patient and file it alphabetically.
3. Take a patient history and record it in a medical record.
4. Follow intake and discharge procedures for a patient, using release and discharge forms.
5. Answer the phone in a professional manner and make an appointment, determining an emergency
and scheduling accurately.
Eastside Technical Center
2208 Liberty Road
Lexington, KY 40509
859-381-3740
Locust Trace AgriScience Center
242 Locust Farm Road
Lexington, KY 40511
859-381-3990
6. Follow legal requirements for the transfer of a medical record.
7. Schedule an appointment using computer appointment book.
8. Bill a client for a procedure using veterinary software.
9. Organize and maintain inventory.
10. Prepare a rabies certificate following state regulations.
11. Prepare a health certificate following national regulations.
12. Describe common exam room procedures to a client.
13. Write a business letter.
Animal Restraint
1. Restrain a dog in sternal, lateral and ventrodorsal recumbency.
2. Restrain a cat in sternal, lateral and ventrodorsal recumbency.
3. Restrain a dog for jugular venipuncture.
4. Restrain a dog for cephalic venipuncture.
5. Restrain a dog for saphenous venipuncture.
6. Restrain a cat for jugular venipuncture.
7. Restrain a cat for cephalic venipuncture.
8. Restrain a cat for femoral venipuncture.
9. Place a commercial and a leash muzzle on a dog
10. Place a commercial muzzle on a cat.
Southside Technical Center
1800 Harrodsburg Road
Lexington, KY 40504
859-381-3603
Eastside Technical Center
2208 Liberty Road
Lexington, KY 40509
859-381-3740
Locust Trace AgriScience Center
242 Locust Farm Road
Lexington, KY 40511
859-381-3990
Southside Technical Center
1800 Harrodsburg Road
Lexington, KY 40504
859-381-3603
11. Utilize a catch pole.
12. Apply an Elizabethan collar to an animal.


Follow safety protocols with any and all skills (100% accuracy)
Students will work towards an internship rotation in the Locust Trace Veterinary Clinic. This
internship will be based on skill level, work ethic and theory grades.
Dress Code and Required Equipment
Students are to dress as veterinary professionals. Safety is key in any profession, especially when
handling unpredictable animals. These guidelines were set with the guidance of 12 area veterinary
employers, college administrators, and industry standards. Failure to follow these guidelines will
result in restriction of contact with animals and lowering of employability score.
1. Students may change clothes when they arrive at Locust Trace.
2. All students must wear scrubs top and bottoms except when handling large animals. Scrubs
must fit in a professional manner, and need to be clean and free of holes or rips.
3. For Large Animal work- students should wear modest jeans and/or coveralls. No
undergarments should be visible and tops and bottoms should cover modestly, even when
bending down. Students will wear leather or rubber (work- type) boots that cover their entire
foot every day while handling large animals. Socks must also be worn.
4. Shoes for small animal work- when handling small animals, students must wear shoes that
cover their entire foot and socks.
5. Fingernails need to be kept short. Long nails can harm patients when handling them. If nail
polish is present, protective gloves must be worn while working in the Locust Trace Veterinary
Clinic. Acrylic nails or excessively long nails are not allowed for safety.
6. When in the lab, hair must be pulled back off of face.
7. Jewelry: Two pairs of stud earrings only and a watch. No elongated earrings that could be
pushed into the student’s head. No other jewelry or spacers are allowed. No facial piercings of
any sort.
8. Tattoos: all tattoos should be covered in lab, in the veterinary clinic and during internship.
Eastside Technical Center
2208 Liberty Road
Lexington, KY 40509
859-381-3740
Locust Trace AgriScience Center
242 Locust Farm Road
Lexington, KY 40511
859-381-3990
Southside Technical Center
1800 Harrodsburg Road
Lexington, KY 40504
859-381-3603
Required Equipment
1. Composition notebook-Students should have a composition notebook for journaling every day.
This will be turned in on the last day of that week for credit.
2. Pens-Students need to bring in lined paper and a blue or black pen every day.
3. Calculator- simple type, basic- needed every day.
4. Watch- with a second hand or digital seconds- needed every day.
5. A change of clothes, just in case you get something with a strong odor on your clothes.
6. Suggested items: Lint roller
Grading Summary
Theory:
Theory grades include:






Homework- 10pts – each week a random homework assignment is chosen to count for
10pts
Quizzes- 50pts—each chapter will have a quiz before the Unit Exam. Most are a
combination of fill in the blank and listing, no work banks. (2-3 quizzes a week)
Lab Quizzes- 50pts—these quizzes are over the skills and basic concepts covered in the
lab time. They are fill in the blank or listing steps to performing skills. (1 a week)
Unit Exams- (200-400pts)—Each unit combines skills of a similar topic to create an
overall unit of mastery. These are usually formatted in fill in the blank, multiple choice
and labeling diagrams. (Unit exams are approximately once a week)
Projects- (50-500pts) – Students complete group and individual projects approximately
every other week. All projects require oral presentation. The largest project this
semester is the Career Project. This project will include researching a career and giving
a 3-5 minute speech on the topic.
SPELLING- spelling counts in the veterinary industry. Students will be docked points
for answers that are not spelled correctly- especially on medical terms and curriculum
that would be used in a medical record or with clients.
Eastside Technical Center
2208 Liberty Road
Lexington, KY 40509
859-381-3740
Locust Trace AgriScience Center
242 Locust Farm Road
Lexington, KY 40511
859-381-3990
Southside Technical Center
1800 Harrodsburg Road
Lexington, KY 40504
859-381-3603
Work Ethic: (Employability Skills)
Students can earn 10 points a day for their professionalism in the laboratory or classroom. Included
in the Work Ethic Grade:

Attendance- calling in as in a workplace environment
o Every student must call or email (with professional format) their instructor
before their arrival time if they will not be at school. This is a work place skill
that is enforced with every student. Failure to email or call in will result in
the loss of work ethic points for that day.


Homework (whatever homework is not counted in theory portion)
Behavior- what type of employee are you?
See next sheet for the Work Ethic Grading Rubric
Eastside Technical Center
2208 Liberty Road
Lexington, KY 40509
859-381-3740
Cooperation/Attitude toward work/learning
(CA 1-6)
Locust Trace AgriScience Center
242 Locust Farm Road
Lexington, KY 40511
859-381-3990
Resourcefulness/Problem Solving (RP 16)
Southside Technical Center
1800 Harrodsburg Road
Lexington, KY 40504
859-381-3603
Initiative (I 1-7)
(1)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
+ Student is engaged in learning while in
assigned area.
+ Student hands in all assignments on
time.
+ Student produces quality work.
- Student does not remain in assigned
area. (-2)
- Student hands in assignments late or not
at all. (-2)
- Student produces poor or inferior work. (1)
Dependability (D 1-6)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
+ Student makes up missed work in a
timely manner.
+ Student completes all tasks on time.
+Student is able to work independently.
- Student did not make up missed work in a
timely manner. (-1)
- Student does not work independently. (-1)
- Violation of school rules/handbook. (-1 to
-10, determined by level of infraction)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
+ Student is able to resolve situations
without instructor’s assistance.
+Student is able to work as a team.
+ Student is able to problem solve.
- Student does not resolve situations
without instructor’s assistance. (-1)
- Student is not able to work as a team.
(-2)
- Student has poor problem solving
ability. (-2)
Punctuality (P 1-5)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
+ Student reports to class on time.
+ Student remains in class.
+Student is absent from school and
calls in by appointed time.
+ Student maintains satisfactory
attendance record.
- Student does not report to class on
time. (-3)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
Professionalism/Attitude Toward work (PA 16)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
Housekeeping/Materials/Equipment (HME 18)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
+ Student maintains a neat and orderly
work area.
+ Student treats and respects all
materials/equipment.
+ Student follows all directions when using
equipment.
+ Student replaces all material/equipment
to proper location.
- Student does not maintain a neat and
orderly work area. (-1)
- Student does not respect all
materials/equipment. (-2)
- Student does not follow all directions
when using equipment. (-2)
- Student does not properly store
material/equipment. (-1)
Uniform (U 1-6)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
+ Student is in school uniform.
+ Student’s uniform is neat/clean.
+ Student is demonstrating grooming
and uniform that is standard of the
industry.
- Student is not in school uniform. (-4)
- Student is not demonstrating
grooming and uniform that is standard
of the industry. (-1)
- Student’s hair and jewelry are not in
accordance to industry standards. (-1)
+ Student comes to lab motivated/ prepared
for class.
+ Student proceeds with task of the day.
+Student stays on task.
+ Student is attentive during
lectures/presentations.
- Student comes to lab and is not prepared
for class. (-1)
- Student is not on task. (-2)
- Student is not attentive during
lectures/presentations. (-1)
+ Student displays a professional attitude
toward work/lab/fellow
classmates/instructor.
+ Student’s maturity level is at industry
standard.
+ Student portrays a positive attitude toward
learning.
- Student does not display a professional
attitude toward work/lab/fellow
classmates/instructor. (-2)
- Student’s maturity level is not at industry
standard. (-2)
- Student portrays a negative attitude
toward learning. (-2)
Safety (S 1-6)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
+ Student takes all proper safety measures
when using equipment.
+ Student is wearing all necessary safety
equipment.
+ Student behaves in manner that promotes
shop/lab safety.
- Student operates the equipment in an
unsafe manner. (-1 to -5)
- Student did not wear all necessary safety
equipment. (-1 to -5)
- Student’s behavior is in a manner that
does not promote shop/lab safety. (-1 to -5)
Eastside Technical Center
2208 Liberty Road
Lexington, KY 40509
859-381-3740
Locust Trace AgriScience Center
242 Locust Farm Road
Lexington, KY 40511
859-381-3990
Southside Technical Center
1800 Harrodsburg Road
Lexington, KY 40504
859-381-3603
Skills:

Skill grade is based on the student’s performance of their tasks they have been taught.
Students will have the opportunity to work with teachers before or after school to complete
skills. Rubric for task grading: See the Veterinary Assistant Task Book
* In order for a student to continue in the veterinary assistant program from year 1 to year 2,
students must demonstrate mastery of skills with an overall average of a 90% and pass the class
with an average of 65% or above. There will be opportunities for before school and after school
skill sessions. Students will also have multiple opportunities to improve their skill grade on any
given skill.
LATE WORK- Work will be accepted 1 class day late with a 20% penalty. After 1 day, the work will
have a 50% penalty, work will not be accepted after 2 class days.
Make Up Policy for Absences: Every student (or a parent may call/email) must call in or
email the teacher (emails must be in professional format) to earn full participation points
for the day. This phone call or email must arrive before class time, just as you would call
in before a work day.

** As per FCPS policy: It is the student or parent’s responsibility to make up all missed
work before or after school or during planning period. Upon returning to school from an
absence, you will receive the same number of days that you were absent, plus an additional
one day to complete and turn in make- up work. Announced tests, major projects or term
papers for which you had an adequate time to study or prepare shall be made up on the day
of return. All class presentations will be loaded onto the weebly class website
(www.locusttracevetassistant.weebly.com ). Students can access this website from school
computers if a home computer is not present. Absent work must be made up following the
FCPS absentee policy.
Eastside Technical Center
2208 Liberty Road
Lexington, KY 40509
859-381-3740
Locust Trace AgriScience Center
242 Locust Farm Road
Lexington, KY 40511
859-381-3990
Southside Technical Center
1800 Harrodsburg Road
Lexington, KY 40504
859-381-3603
Grading Scale (set by FCPS)
A= 92-100%
B= 83-91%
C= 74-82%
D= 65-73%
F= 64 or below%
Academic Honesty:
Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, or helping others to commit these acts will not be tolerated in the
classroom. This can result in severe disciplinary action. Each project or paper submitted for an
assignment will be checked for plagiarism before grading. If a student is found guilty of any of the
acts listed, action will be taken at Locust Trace.
Food/Drink Policy:
No food or drink is allowed in the Vet Assistant Classroom or Laboratory at any time.
Class Fees:
Every student will pay a $16 instructional fee, subject to free/reduced lunch guidelines.
Eastside Technical Center
2208 Liberty Road
Lexington, KY 40509
859-381-3740
Locust Trace AgriScience Center
242 Locust Farm Road
Lexington, KY 40511
859-381-3990
Southside Technical Center
1800 Harrodsburg Road
Lexington, KY 40504
859-381-3603
Cell Phone Policy:
Students are not allowed to use cell phones while in the Vet Assistant Classroom or Laboratory. Cell
phones should be turned off and put into purses or book bags. If a cell phone violation occurs: * If
cell phones are out during any assessment, the student will receive a 0 for that assessment.
1. First violation: Cell phone is confiscated and locked up in front office until the
parent/guardian comes to Locust Trace to retrieve it.
2. Second violation: Cell phone is confiscated and locked up until parent comes to retrieve
it after 3 school days.
3. Third violation: Confiscation of device and returned to the student’s parent at the end
of 5 school days.
4. Fourth violation: Appropriate consequence determined by principal
Student Organizations:
Locust Trace offers membership to FFA, the premier student organization in the country. This
organization is an important part of the Agricultural Education model, but is not mandatory. FFA
offers many opportunities for students including leadership training, job skills training, competitions,
scholarships, professional networking and fieldtrips. Membership is $20, paid annually and does not
fall under the free/reduced lunch fees. Students will be given an opportunity to work off their dues.
KOSSA Information:
Any student that has completed 3 credits in an Agricultural pathway will be taking the KOSSA test in
the spring. Passing the KOSSA test gives the students 3 college credits in an in-state university and is
considered career ready.
Safety Information:
Every student must pass the Veterinary Assistant Program Safety Test with 100% (multiple attempts
are acceptable) in order to participate in laboratory activities. Students must also have a signed risk
release to participate in any lab activities. Any student not in dress code will not participate in lab
activities due to safety issues.
Eastside Technical Center
2208 Liberty Road
Lexington, KY 40509
859-381-3740
Locust Trace AgriScience Center
242 Locust Farm Road
Lexington, KY 40511
859-381-3990
Southside Technical Center
1800 Harrodsburg Road
Lexington, KY 40504
859-381-3603
Schedule of Curriculum:
August
Theory: Safety in the Veterinary Industry, OSHA regulations, Career Exploration
Skills: Walk a dog on a leash, cleaning kennels
September: **Career Project Assigned
Theory: Animal Behavior
Skills: Sanitation, animal restraint
October:
Theory: Grooming skills,
**Begin Species Terminology, present Career Project
Skills: Grooming skills, Animal restraint, Medical Office Skills
November:
Theory: Front office procedures
Skills: Medical Office Skills, Animal Nursing Skills
December:
Review for Lab Final and written final, catch up on skills
Eastside Technical Center
2208 Liberty Road
Lexington, KY 40509
859-381-3740
Locust Trace AgriScience Center
242 Locust Farm Road
Lexington, KY 40511
859-381-3990
Southside Technical Center
1800 Harrodsburg Road
Lexington, KY 40504
859-381-3603
Parents:
Your commitment to your child's success is key to their success in this program. We will send out
newsletters and other information twice a month. Please email me
kathleen.magsam@fayette.kyschools.us so we can create a group email for the newsletter. The
signature on the syllabus as well as the email will count as your student's first grade for the
semester. We also have a website that we use to post curriculum and events. The address for the
website is www.locusttracevetassistant.weebly.com Please plan on checking this website for program
updates.
* In order for a student to continue in the veterinary assistant program from year 1 to year 2,
students must demonstrate mastery of all skills with a minimum assessment of a 90%. There will be
opportunities for before school and after school skill sessions.
Student and Parent Contract: (this page to be returned to Mrs. Magsam or Mrs. Higgins)
Please sign below to indicate whether you have email access or not and that you have read and
agree to the syllabus:
_____________________________ Parent Signature and date
I have sent an email to Mrs. Magsam _____ I do not use email so I won't send one ______
____________________________ Student signature and date