Initiative:The Academy of Veterinary Assisting is a 4-year program in Agriculture Education at Tampa Bay Technical High School. This program prepares students for future positions within the veterinary field by providing them with both a strong foundation of a variety of veterinary concepts as well as specific insight into the healthcare industry. Each cohort of students participates in core studies in anatomy, physiology, zoology, animal care, as well as an introduction to veterinary medicine. The program is unique in its offering of “hands on” training and experience with a wide variety of animals in a lab that is set up to simulate a working veterinary and grooming facility. Senior veterinary assisting students spend a total of three hours each academic day within the veterinary laboratory. Another unique feature of this program is that the senior veterinary assisting students perform three weeks of clinical practicum during their senior year. The clinicals occur during standard school hours at job settings such as veterinary hospitals, equine facilities, grooming facilities, exotic animal parks, rescues, or educational centers. The students work hand in hand with the staff and are given the opportunity to understand what is needed to become a Veterinary Assistant.

Goals:

• Provide students with a unique Program of Study which prepares them for a professional position
in a veterinary clinic or hospital
• Partner with local veterinary/animal care organizations to provide students with real-world perspective and experiences

Targeted Population: Students with an interest in a veterinary related field of work are the targeted group for this program is. The Veterinary Assisting Program has a total of 80 students, including 28 sophomores, 22 juniors and 30 seniors.

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* Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates, * Demonstrate consistent and effective teaching methods, * Motivate students to become responsible learners