VETERINARY SPECIALIST COURSE OUTLINE

You get everything you need to know including easy-to-understand lessons, supplements and special learning aids. You progress step-by-step from the basics of animal care grooming, manicuring and bathing into advanced training in anesthesia, animal feeding and diets, large animal care, laboratory examinations and much, much more.

This is a professional-level program leading to a Veterinary and Animal Care Specialist Career Diploma.

Here is a complete list of the Instruction Packages, lessons and supplements you will receive.

Click on the instruction links below for complete course content.

Instruction Pack 1
Instruction Pack 2
Instruction Pack 3
Instruction Pack 4
Instruction Pack 5

Veterinary Specialist Instruction Pack I  Back to Top

Who Takes Care of Animals?
You will see how man interacts and supports animals.
You will take a self-analysis to determine your suitability
for working with animals.

Proper Handling and Restraint of Animals
This lesson covers handling techniques for all the
animals you might see in a veterinarian’s office.

Emergency Procedures in Animal Health Care
When there is an emergency, the medical personnel
must be trained to deal with it effectively. This lesson
will give you the knowledge to handle the emergencies.

Physical Examination of Animal Patients
This lesson shows you the routine to follow when examining an animal and also gives you a step-by-step procedure for such an exam.

Bandaging and Wound Dressing
Step by step you learn the special considerations to follow when you
bandage an animal’s wound. You will learn what materials are available and what procedures to follow.

Grooming, Manicuring and Bathing
Learn the grooming techniques for dogs, cats, birds and horses, as well as learning how to solve several special problems in grooming animals.

Also included in Pack I:
• Course Introduction
• "How to Study" Supplement
• U.S. Career Institute Post-It® Notes


Veterinary Specialist Instruction Pack II  Back to Top

Animal Terminology
Discover the correct terms used to describe animals. You will also see statistics covering all animals, from dogs and cats to exotic and endangered animals.

Medical Terminology
Medicine has its own language. To help you assist the veterinarian, this lesson introduces you to medical terminology including abbreviations, prefixes and suffixes, as well as anatomy and anatomical locations.

Sanitation in the Animal Health Facility
Become an expert in sanitation and sterilization procedures that will protect the people and animals in the clinic.

Basic Anatomical Terminology and the Skeletal System
This is the first in a series of anatomy lessons. You
receive an “anatomical roadmap” to all of the systems.

The Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
The second stop on your anatomical roadmap is the
circulatory and respiratory system. You will learn about
the heart, blood and circulation, and respiration.

The Digestive System
Step three on your roadmap is the digestive system,
where you will see how different animals’ systems work.

Also included in Pack II:
• Animal First-Aid Reference Card
• Quick-Learn System (including Quick-Learn Tutor,
Quick-Learn Flashcards and Quick-Learn Pocket
Folder)

Veterinary Specialist Instruction Pack III  Back to Top

The Genitourinary System
You will learn about the kidneys and genitals of both
male and female animals.

The Endocrine and Nervous Systems
Learn all about the endocrine system and then move on
to the nervous system. The nervous system contains the
animal’s control center (the brain).

How the Body Works in Animals and Man
You will learn how all the body systems fit together and work as a unit to keep the animal alive. There is a particular focus on the role of
blood in the body.

Matter and Measurements
Veterinary medicine is a science affected by the laws of matter and chemistry. Learn about elements, molecules and basic chemistry
concepts.

Handling Drugs and Medicines
This lesson includes sections covering pharmacology history, safety regulations and classifications of drugs.

Immunity and Vaccination
Animals are susceptible to a variety of diseases. Discover how vaccinations are administered, as well as learn about acquired
immunity and antibodies.

Also included in Pack III:
• Quick-Learn Flashcards
• Professional Development - Developing a Dynamic Phone Personality
• Animal Anatomy Reference Cards


Veterinary Specialist Instruction Pack IV   Back to Top

Exotic Animals: Their Care and Handling
Step by step you learn the special considerations exotic
animals present, including handling the animals and
communicating with the owners.

Disease-Causing Organisms
You will learn how organisms that cause diseases are
identified using microscopes and cultures, as well as
how to destroy these disease-causing organisms.

Disease Conditions
This lesson teaches you the kinds and classes of disease,
as well as which conditions are contagious. It also lists
disease symptoms.

Animal Laws and Regulations
This lesson will show you the various laws and
regulations enacted to protect both humans and animals.

X-ray for Animals
This lesson will show you the various laws and
regulations enacted to protect both humans and animals.

Surgical Operations in the Animal Hospital
You will learn about surgery in the animal hospital,
including the most common procedures a veterinarian
performs.

Preparing for Surgery
This lesson trains you in surgical arrangements, including
sterile surgical packs, the operating room and patient
preparation.

Assisting the Veterinary Surgeon
In this important lesson, you will learn how to effectively
assist the veterinarian during surgical procedures by
keeping track of surgical instruments.

Postoperative Procedures
Learn what to do following the critical time after surgery
by completing several important tasks, such as monitoring
vital functions.

Also included in Pack IV:
• Animal Anatomy Reference Cards
• Quick-Learn Flashcards

Veterinary Specialist Instruction Pack V  Back to Top

Anesthesia for Animals
A vital overview of the background and present use of anesthesia
by veterinarians––how it is administered plus pre-anesthetic
preparations and post-anesthetic considerations.

Giving Medicine to Animals
You will learn about the medicines approved for animals, plus
the different methods used to determine dosage.

Parasites that Infest Animals
Animals are susceptible to a number of parasitic infestations.
After completing this lesson, you will be prepared to deal
with the parasites that infest animals.

Laboratory Examinations
Find out specifically how to handle lab equipment. You
will also learn about common laboratory tests and how to
obtain samples for these tests.

Quarantine and Control
Sometimes it is necessary to keep an animal separated
(quarantined) from other animals. Learn when and why
quarantining is necessary and what regulations exist.

Dental Care
When you have completed this lesson, you will have
learned all about animal dental care including the methods
used to care for an animal’s teeth.

Animal Feeding and Diets
Discover proper diets for sick and recovering animals, as
well as how to deal with animals that refuse to eat. You
will learn how to store and prepare food and vitamins.

Poisonous Reptiles, Insects and Plants
Poisonous reptiles present a threat to safety in a veterinarian’s
office. You will learn how to deal with them properly.

Large Animal Care
Learn how to care for large animals such as horses and
cows. You will learn about the various diseases and
control techniques used with large animals.

Also included in Pack V:
• Quick-Learn Flashcards
• Animal Care Jobs Finder
• Horses, Horses, Horses Supplement