Activity 1
Speaker: Introduction to Veterinary Technicians
- Show videos related to veterinary technicians, covering subjects such as training, job performance, or employment options. Select videos from a reputable online source or other resource. View videos in advance to make sure they are appropriate.
- Discuss the role the veterinary technician plays in the field of veterinary medicine.
- Have the speaker demonstrate how to accurately calculate and measure out medication, properly make prescription labels for the medication, and ensure proper documentation of the medication in the patient’s record. Practice calculating the math for dosing (deciding how much to give) a 30-pound dog with a medication that requires 5 milligrams (mg) per pound, to be given three times a day, and is packaged as a liquid in 250 milligrams per milliliter (mL).
- Have the speaker demonstrate the proper way to restrain a dog and cat.
- Give a demonstration of the various types of equipment used in the practice you are visiting. Learn how this equipment is maintained.
- Observe a demonstration of how to run a fecal exam and how to do a urinalysis, heartworm test, and skin scraping.
- Demonstrate how to collect a blood sample, make a blood smear, stain it, and observe the slide under a microscope to identify the different types of blood cells.
- Have a discussion with a veterinary technician about why good communication skills are important in their job.
- Discuss the various employment opportunities open to veterinary technicians, including private practice, military, schools, biomedical research, zoos, diagnostic laboratories, government, food inspection, drug and feed companies, humane societies, and animal shelters.
- Discuss the educational requirements to become a veterinary technician, including high school and college or technical school courses that would be beneficial.
