Veterinary Science Technology

The Field

Delhi 's Veterinary Science Technology program, established in 1961, was the first of its type in the United States. Since its inception, it has developed into a dynamic, nationally recognized program. This program is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

The Veterinary Science Technology program is designed to meet existing demands for technical personnel in the veterinary and biomedical fields. Extensive laboratory facilities, versatile faculty and staff, and hands-on experiences with companion, laboratory, farm, and other animals are major assets of the program. A required practicum (work experience in a veterinary practice, animal research facility, or other approved animal facility) also enhances each student's skills and employment potential.

Students receive an A.A.S. degree upon successful completion of the curriculum and are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). This examination is utilized by New York and most other states as the official licensure examination for veterinary technicians.

The program is designed to be completed in two years, but the curriculum may be modified based on the academic preparedness or desires of the applicant.

The Profession-Veterinary Technician

The Veterinary Technology program provides students with a broad theoretical background and excellent technical skills essential for careers as veterinary technicians and/or laboratory animal technicians.

Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs) are employed by veterinarians in small, large, and mixed animal practices. The LVT's role is comparable to that of the registered nurse and other medical technicians in human medicine. Their professional duties may include, but are not limited to, surgical and medical nursing, laboratory testing, and radiographic procedures under the supervision of licensed veterinarians and other LVTs. Graduates may also practice in veterinary and technical colleges, zoos, public health services, government, military service, private industry, and other animal-science-related fields.

Additional career opportunities are available to LVTs as Laboratory Animal Technicians (LATs). When employed by the pharmaceutical industry, by medical, dental, and veterinary colleges, by diagnostic and testing laboratories, and under the direction of veterinarians or research scientists, LATs may have responsibility for animal health and husbandry, investigative procedures, pharmaceutical testing, and administrative and related duties. With additional professional experience, graduates who complete advanced laboratory animal courses are eligible to take the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification examination.

With additional professional experience and coursework, graduates who complete the Business Option may be employed as veterinary practice managers or laboratory animal facilities managers and may be eligible to take certification examinations offered by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association or the Laboratory Animal Management Association.

The Instructional Program

The Veterinary Science Technology program focuses on clinical assisting procedures, performance of laboratory testing techniques, and an understanding and appreciation of the concepts and practices employed in veterinary practice and biomedical research settings. The humane care and treatment of animal patients are stressed, as are the importance of compassion, veterinary medical ethics, effective interpersonal relations, and the psychology of dealing with patients and clients.

Lecture and laboratory instruction is presented by veterinarians and veterinary technicians who bring a broad range of experiences and expertise to the program. The laboratories are staffed to allow students to receive individual attention and maximum exposure to different veterinary practice philosophies. Traditional classroom sequences are supplemented with additional learning experiences which include assignments in the College's animal facilities, guest lectures, computer-assisted learning projects, laboratory instruction, and field trips.

An active student chapter of the New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians (NYSAVT)/North American Veterinary Technicians Association (NAVTA) provides students with additional educational and social opportunities both on and off the SUNY Delhi campus.

The Facilities

Most Veterinary Science courses are conducted in Farnsworth Hall, one of the best instructional facilities for veterinary technology in the country. The facility is approved by the United States Department of Agriculture and New York State Department of Health. Farnsworth Hall offers excellent laboratory and clinical facilities. Instructional laboratories for anatomy, clinical techniques, radiography, and laboratory animal procedures, as well as a large surgical suite, are included. Specialized housing for 10 different species of animals is provided. Dogs, cats, primates, mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and a few other animal species are housed in Farnsworth Hall.

In addition, the Ladd Valley Veterinary Science Complex (1.5 miles away) includes the College Farm where students gain experience working with cattle, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry.

Delhi/Cornell Connection

SUNY Delhi has transfer agreements with Cornell University and other colleges that students may wish to consider for further educational experiences. These agreements allow students who plan to continue on to four-year bachelor's degree programs the option of taking a series of additional courses designed to facilitate transfer to Cornell or other upper-division colleges.

"Delhi/Cornell Connection" students need to be highly motivated and have strong interests in veterinary science. Students with excellent high school science/mathematics backgrounds who are capable of carrying a heavy load are most likely to succeed.

The additional courses required of "Delhi/Cornell Connection" students include a second semester of biology and chemistry, and mathematics at least at the level of pre-calculus. Pre-calculus is a higher level of mathematics than is traditionally required for the A.A.S. degree. Successful graduates earn an A.A.S. degree in Veterinary Science Technology and have a strong foundation needed for success in four-year programs.

Transfer to most four-year programs requires a minimum grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale).

Admission Requirements

A student admitted into the Veterinary Science Technology program must be a graduate of an accredited secondary school, or have an equivalent education, with an unweighted high school average of at least 80% (or B). The student must have completed the following courses with a minimum unweighted grade of 80% (or B): 4 units of English, 4 units of social studies, 1 unit of math (Course A or equivalent), and 1 unit each of biology and chemistry. Where appropriate, courses must be NYS Regents or equivalent. Grades of B+ or higher are highly recommended in math and science courses.

Because of the volume of scientific literature required in most Veterinary Science courses, the student should have above-average reading and writing skills.

Any applicant whose high school record is deficient in any of the above requirements or who has a high school average below 80% may be required to complete at least one semester of a Pre-Veterinary Science curriculum, thus requiring five or more semesters to graduate from the Veterinary Science Program.

A successful applicant for the Delhi/Cornell Connection must be a graduate of an accredited secondary school, or have an equivalent education, with an unweighted high school average of at least 85% (or B+). The student must have completed the following courses with a minimum unweighted grade of 85% (or B+): 4 units of English, 4 units of social studies, 2 units of math (Courses A and B or equivalent), and 1 unit each of biology and chemistry. Where appropriate, courses must be NYS Regents or equivalent. SAT and ACT scores are also taken into consideration for the Delhi/Cornell Connection.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in volunteer or work situations in veterinary clinics, laboratory animal or similar animal-oriented facilities (i.e., humane societies, zoos, farms, etc.).

Pre-exposure rabies vaccinations are highly recommended and may be required at internship sites. Additionally, first aid/CPR certification may be required for certain employment situations.

Students transferring into the program from another college or from another department within SUNY Delhi need a C (2.0 on a 4.0 system) or better overall average, a C or better in Liberal Arts and Science courses, and a C+ or better in all Veterinary Science courses.

A maximum of one-half of the total Veterinary Science Technology credit hours may be transferred to Delhi from other AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology programs, whether on-site or distance learning. A maximum of thirty (30) credit hours for any and all courses may be transferred from other colleges.

Courses to be transferred in from another college are evaluated on an individual basis for content and compatibility with SUNY Delhi courses. The prospective student will be required to provide supportive material to demonstrate equivalency to Delhi courses to the satisfaction of the Delhi faculty. The College reserves the right to test transfer applicants to demonstrate compatibility of courses and knowledge.

Some required Veterinary Science Technology courses may be challenged by an enrolled student if that student has adequate qualifications to do so. Individual courses may have requirements which prohibit challenge.

All degree students must earn thirty (30) or more credit hours of coursework under the direct supervision of the faculty of SUNY Delhi.

Advancement Requirements

Only grades of C or higher for each course taken at Delhi are considered passing grades for students in the program. A grade of C- or lower is not a passing grade. Individual courses may have standards that exceed this minimum passing grade requirement.

Satisfactory completion (C or higher for declared Pre-Veterinary Science and Veterinary Science students) of prerequisite courses is required to enroll in subsequent courses, as stated in program course descriptions.

Students must maintain a 2.0 or higher grade point average and complete all courses in sequence in order to graduate from the Veterinary Science Technology program. The program is designed to be completed in four semesters. However, students lacking prerequisites or on probation will need additional semesters to satisfy degree requirements.

Only students in the Veterinary Science program may take VETS 140 or higher-numbered courses.

Veterinary Science Technology

Advisement Option: Clinical

A.A.S. Degree

SUNY Curriculum Code: 0521

Typical First Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
BIOL 230	General Microbiology	4
MATH ___	Mathematics by advisement	3-4
VETS 120	Introduction to Veterinary Science	3
VETS 115	Medical Mathematics for Veterinary Technicians	1
VETS 140	Animal Anatomy and Physiology	4
	Total	15-16

Typical Second Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 100	Freshman Composition
	Or	3
ENGL 200	Advanced Composition
CHEM 180	General Chemistry I	4
VETS 130	Introduction to Animal Care	2
VETS 160	Introductory Research Animal Technology	4
VETS 171	Parasitology	3
VETS 180	Clinical Physiology	2
	Total	18

Typical Third Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
COMM 100	Public Speaking	3
VETS 200	Internship/Supervisory Experience	1
VETS 238	Surgical Nursing and Anesthesia (Lecture)	3
VETS 239	Surgical Nursing and Anesthesia (Lab)	1
VETS 245	Radiography	2
____ ___	Social Science/ Humanities Elective (by advisement)	6
	Total	16

Typical Fourth Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
VETS 205	Clinical Laboratory Techniques (Lecture)	3
VETS 210	Clinical Laboratory Techniques (Lab)	2
VETS 230	Farm Animal Nursing (Lecture)	3
VETS 235	Farm Animal Nursing (Laboratory)	1
VETS 250	Veterinary Clinical Management	3
VETS 255	Veterinary Medical Nursing	3
	Total	15

Degree Requirement: 64-65 credit hours

Advisement Option: Laboratory Animal

A.A.S. Degree

SUNY Curriculum Code: 0521

Typical First Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
BIOL 230	General Microbiology	4
MATH ___	Mathematics (by advisement)	3-4
VETS 120	Introduction to Veterinary Science	3
VETS 115	Medical Mathematics for Veterinary Technicians	1
VETS 140	Animal Anatomy and Physiology	4
	Total	15-16

Typical Second Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 100	Freshman Composition
	Or	3
ENGL 200	Advanced Composition
CHEM 180	General Chemistry I	4
VETS 130	Introduction to
	Animal Care	2
VETS 160	Introductory Research Animal Technology	4
VETS 171	Parasitology	3
VETS 180	Clinical Physiology	2
	Total	18

Typical Third Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
VETS 205	Clinical Laboratory Techniques (Lecture)	3
VETS 210	Clinical Laboratory Techniques (Lab)	2
VETS 220	Applied Research Animal Technology	4
VETS 230	Farm Animal Nursing (Lecture)	3
VETS 235	Farm Animal Nursing (Laboratory)	1
____ ___	Social Science Elective (by advisement)	3
COMM 100	Public Speaking	3
	Total	19

Typical Fourth Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
VETS 200	Internship/Supervisory Experience	1
VETS 238	Surgical Nursing and Anesthesia (Lecture)	3
VETS 239	Surgical Nursing and Anesthesia (Lab)	1
VETS 245	Radiography	2
VETS 250	Veterinary Clinical Management	3
VETS 255	Veterinary Medical Nursing	3
VETS 280	Primatology	2
____ ___	Social Science/Humanities Elective (by advisement)	3
	Total	18

Degree Requirement: 70-71 credit hours

Advisement Option: Business

A.A.S. Degree

SUNY Curriculum Code: 0521

Typical First Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
BIOL 230	General Microbiology	4
MATH 115	Statistics	4
VETS 120	Introduction to Veterinary Science	3
VETS 115	Medical Mathematics for Veterinary Technicians	1
VETS 140	Animal Anatomy and Physiology	4
	Total	16

Typical Second Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 100	Freshman Composition
	or	3
ENGL 200	Advanced Composition
CHEM 180	General Chemistry I	4
VETS 130	Introduction to Animal Care	2
VETS 160	Introduction Research Animal Technology	4
VETS 171	Parasitology	3
VETS 180	Clinical Physiology	2
	Total	18

Typical Third Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
ACCT 110	Principles of Accounting I	3
ECON 100	Introductory Macroeconomics
	3
ECON 110	Introductory Microeconomics
COMM 100	Public Speaking	3
PSYC 100	Introductory Psychology	3
VETS 200	Internship/Supervisory Experience	1
VETS 238	Surgical Nursing and Anesthesia (Lecture)	3
VETS 239	Surgical Nursing and Anesthesia (Lab)	1
VETS 245	Radiography	2
	Total	19

Typical Fourth Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
CITA 110	Microcomputer Applications I
	Or	3
____ ___	Business Elective
VETS 205	Clinical Laboratory Techniques (Lecture)	3
VETS 210	Clinical Laboratory Techniques (Lab)	2
VETS 230	Farm Animal Nursing (Lecture)	3
VETS 235	Farm Animal Nursing (Laboratory)	1
VETS 250	Veterinary Clinical Management	3
VETS 255	Veterinary Medical Nursing	3
	Total	18

Degree Requirement: 71 credit hours

Advisement Option: Delhi/Cornell Connection

SUNY Curriculum Code: 0521

Typical First Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
CHEM 180	General Chemistry I	4
MATH ___	Mathematics (by advisement)	3-4
VETS 120	Introduction to Veterinary Science	3
VETS 115	Medical Mathematics for Veterinary Technicians	1
VETS 130	Introduction to Animal Care	2
VETS 140	Animal Anatomy and Physiology	4
	Total	17-18

Typical Second Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 100	Freshman Composition
	or	3
ENGL 200	Advanced Composition
BIOL 230	General Microbiology	4
CHEM 180	General Chemistry II	4
VETS 160	Introductory Research Animal Technology	4
VETS 171	Parasitology	3
VETS 180	Clinical Physiology	2
	Total	20

Typical Third Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
BIOL 130	General Biology I
	or	4
BIOL 215	Zoology
COMM 100	Public Speaking	3
VETS 200	Internship/Supervisory Experience	1
VETS 238	Surgical Nursing and Anesthesia (Lecture)	3
VETS 239	Surgical Nursing and Anesthesia (Lab)	1
VETS 245	Radiography	2
____ ___	Social Science Elective (by advisement)	3
	Total	17

Typical Fourth Semester

Course No.	Course	Cr. Hrs.
VETS 205	Clinical Laboratory Techniques (Lecture)	3
VETS 210	Clinical Laboratory Techniques (Lab)	2
VETS 230	Farm Animal Nursing (Lecture)	3
VETS 235	Farm Animal Nursing (Laboratory)	1
VETS 250	Veterinary Clinical Management	3
VETS 255	Veterinary Medical Nursing	3
____ ___	Social Science/Humanities Elective (by advisement)	3
	Total	18

Degree Requirement: 72 credit hours

Program Objectives

A graduate of the Veterinary Science Technology A.A.S. program should be able to:

1. Successfully complete the Veterinary Technician National Exam.
2. Demonstrate skills and knowledge of domestic animals including normal values for temperature, pulse and respiration; conduct a thorough and accurate physical examination including the proper use of the stethoscope; restrain animals for physical examination and veterinary techniques.
3. Perform animal nursing and critical care for all common domestic animals including: restraint, administering medications, diagnostic sampling for laboratory evaluation, maintaining fluid therapy, applying and removing bandages and splints, and applying established emergency protocols.
4. Assist with animal surgery including knowledge of routine procedures and operating room equipment; prepare the patient, veterinary personnel, and equipment for sterile surgical procedures; function effectively as a surgical assistant to the veterinary surgeon during surgical procedures.
5. Induce, stabilize, monitor, and maintain anesthesia under supervision of the veterinarian; recognize and report anesthetic emergencies; apply resuscitation techniques and CPR.
6. Assist with diagnostic imaging including radiography and ultrasound; expose, develop, and evaluate radiographs to provide diagnostic images for veterinary interpretation and diagnosis; and properly clean and maintain diagnostic imaging equipment.
7. Perform common laboratory procedures: hematologic examinations, blood chemistries, urinalysis, parasitic examinations, cytological procedures, microbiological procedures, and necropsy.
8. Provide competent assistance with office procedures: telephone contacts, making appointments, admitting and discharging patients, maintaining medical and financial records, and establishing and maintaining a clean and orderly veterinary facility.
9. Communicate with the public, clients, and colleagues through both verbal and written communication skills, including effective listening.
10. Design and deliver grief management assistance to clients and colleagues.
11. Demonstrate knowledge of the common medicines used in veterinary medicine including: types and groups of drugs; labeling and packaging of dispensed drugs; using weights and measures correctly; calculating dosages; safely storing, handling, and disposing of controlled substances, biologics, therapeutic agents, and hazardous wastes.
12. Differentiate between normal and abnormal patient responses to medication.
13. Understand basic knowledge of animal health and common diseases and disease processes for all common domestic animals.
14. Demonstrate skills and knowledge associated with the use of common laboratory animals including basic principles of animal research and local, state, and federal animal welfare regulations.
15. Demonstrate skills and knowledge associated with cleaning, sanitizing, and sterilizing equipment and facilities, including knowledge of products, equipment, procedures, and techniques routinely used in reducing, eliminating, or preventing contamination of the animal care institutions.