INTRODUCTION TO VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY
VETT 101 (2 CREDITS)
LECTURE ONLY NO LAB
M,W 8-9
INSTRUCTOR:
Clara Saxton, CVT
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 10-11AM or by Appt.
Office: Evergreen A35
Phone: 732-6432
e-mail: csaxton@csi.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An orientation course designed to familiarize students with the ethical and
practical considerations of veterinary technology. Discussion of career options,
affiliated medical associations, state-federal organizations, human-animal bonding
and public relations included.
PREREQUISITES:
Desire: To learn and share knowledge
Commitment: To your new profession, education, and fellow colleagues.
TEXTS:
Principles and Practice of Veterinary Technology
Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians
Pratt-required
McCurin-optional
SUPPLIES:
Veterinary Technology Student Shirts (You will order as a group)
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this class you will be able to:
 Understand career options and medical associations available to
veterinary technicians.
 Understand ethics related to veterinary technology and the medical
profession.
 Understand current issues regarding animal rights/welfare.
 Develop fundamental client communication skills
 Develop basic knowledge regarding medical records.
 Recognize and develop stress management skills as related to medical
fields.
 Understand the principles of the Human-Animal bond.
 Understand the basic principles of animal behavior.
 Identify breeds, determine age and sex of domestic breeds
 Understand basic husbandry principles of domestic animals.
OUTCOMES/ASSESSMENTS
Outcome 1:
Master course content/objectives as presented in lecture and lab.
Assessment:
Assessment will be made through:
 Successful completion of quizzes, class exams and final as
indicated by a score of 70% or above
 Passing scores on subject areas on National Exams
 Passing scores on program assessment tests
Outcome 2:
Develop skills as related to course content and equipment, required
for competency within the field of Veterinary Technology.
Assessment:
Assessment will be made through observation of students as they
perform technical skills and:
 Successful completion of a newspaper article as indicated
by a score of 70% or above.
 Achievement books to verify completions
 Monitoring of Animal Care Duties
 Clinical externship evaluations
 Student course evaluations
Outcome 3:
Student will refine communication skills and develop an awareness
of their role as a veterinary technician through interaction with
fellow students, technicians, clients and veterinarians.
Assessment:
Assessment will be made through:
 Observation of Animal Care duties
 Participation and conduct evaluation
 Clinical Externships
Outcome 4:
Students will develop and improve their skill of observation.
Assessment:
Assessment will be made through successful completion of:
 Laboratory projects
 Animal Care duties
GRADING POLICY:
MIDTERM 1: 20%
MIDTERM 2: 20%
FINAL: 25%
QUIZZES: 10%
PARTICIPATION: 10%
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: 5%
ANIMAL CARE: 10%
I do not curve my classes. Grades will be as follows:
> 90%= A
80-89%= B
70-79%= C
60-69%= D
ANIMAL CARE
Dr. Rockett and I cannot stress enough how important these responsibilities are to
you, to us and to the animals in the program. All these animals are here to help
you and they have given up a year of their life so you can learn new skills. This
will be a difficult semester for them--DON'T FORGET THAT!
ALWAYS REMEB\MBER:


You owe a large debt to these animals--1 year of life
Their happiness depends upon you
A rotation schedule will be handed out. You will be penalized in every
Veterinary Technology class for failure to perform your assigned animal care
duties. (See separate syllabus for Animal Care).
GENERAL INFORMATION
1) See Veterinary Technology Student Handbook. This is your manual and any
problems will follow guidelines written in this handbook.
2) Exams cannot be “made up”. Talk to me before you need to miss a test and it
may be possible to take it ahead of time.
3) Quizzes will be given weekly. This will encourage you to keep ahead of your
work. These will be timed quizzes and only 10 min allowed since we have so
much to cover. Quizzes cannot be made up for any reason.
4) I will take roll at various times during the semester. This will account for 5%
of your participation grade. More than 6 missed classes will result in a D for
the class. The other 5% will come from how well you interact and contribute
in class.
5) You will not be allowed to enter the class if you are more than 10 mins late
and you will be considered absent. Excessive tardiness of less than 10 mins
will add up to absences—3 tardies = l absence.
6) All exams and quizzes are closed book and closed notes. Extra exams are not
to leave the room. Cheating and collaboration will not be tolerated. You are
going into a profession that allows you to handle large amounts of money and
controlled drugs—we must be able to trust your honesty!
7) Exams and quizzes are handed back for your personal use in studying. They
are not to be shared with classmates, either upper or lower classmates.
8) If you disagree with my answer on a test or a quiz--present your argument in
writing. I will evaluate the validity of the question and adjust your grade
accordingly. I will not argue answers during class time.
9) Make sure you cite all references that are used in your newspaper article.
Plagiarism is a form of cheating and will be dealt with in a similar fashion.
10) Please have assigned reading done before class. I would like to be able to
have your input in the lectures. I don’t want to be just telling you how it is. I
want your ideas!
11) The course schedule may be modified as we go along.
12) Remember I am here to help you. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you are
having a problem and we will find a solution.
Introduction to Veterinary Technology
DATE
Aug 26
TOPIC
Introduction
READING
Aug 28
Handbook Review
Must have Handbook
Sept 2
Holiday
Labor Day
Roles for Veterinary
Technicians
Sept. 4
Pratt Chapter 1
Sept 9
Sept 16
Stress Management
Guest Speaker—Center for
New Directions
Ethics
Sept 18
Ethics cont.
Sept 23
Medical Records
Sept 25
Client Relations
Sept 30
Human Animal Bond
Oct 2
Grief
Oct 7
MIDTERM #1
Oct 9
Animal Rights Vs Welfare
Oct 14
Oct 16
Holiday
Columbus Day
Animal Abuse
Oct 21
Animal Behavior
Sept 11
Pratt Chapter 3
TOPIC DUE
Pratt Chapter 2
Oct 23
Animal Behavior
Oct 28
Nov 4
Guest Speaker
Conflict Resolution
Guest Speaker
Conflict Resolution
OSHA and Hospital Safety
Nov. 6
ID-Dogs
Nov 11
Nov 13
Holiday
Veteran's Day
MIDTERM #2
Nov 9
ID-Cats
Nov 18
ID-Birds/Rabbits
Nov 20
ID-Horses
Pratt Chapter 9
Nov 25
ID-Cattle
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
DUE
Nov 27
Dec 2
Holiday
Thanksgiving
Husbandry-Cats/Dogs
Dec 4
Husbandry-Horses
Dec 9
Husbandry-Cattle
Dec 11
Llamas
Dec 12
Review
Dec 16-20
Finals Week
Oct 30
Pratt Chapter 6