Veterinary Technology
The Veterinary Technology Summer Pre-College program invites rising junior and senior high school students to work with faculty from the UMass Veterinary Technology Program to discover various aspects of the Veterinary profession and the role of the veterinary technician within the larger context of veterinary medicine and animal care.
In week 1, students will receive an introduction to the world of the veterinary technician and career options available within the profession, learn to use appropriate medical terminology, study basic animal anatomy and physiology through guided dissection, discuss normal behaviors and behavioral concerns of domestic animals, consider the different breeds of domestic animal species, tour an animal shelter and learn about its functions and challenges, work with livestock and explore handling, husbandry and diseases of large animal species, and participate in our Community Veterinary Clinic.
In week 2, students will examine companion animal diseases and their prevention, practice clinically relevant microscopy techniques, investigate the production and clinical uses of x-rays, radiographs, and other forms of diagnostic imaging, explore basic principles of monitoring anesthesia and surgical assisting for dogs and cats, study common animal parasites and their control, discuss basic principles of first aid administration for dogs and cats, tour a large veterinary referral hospital, work with livestock and explore handling, husbandry and diseases of large animal species, and participate in our Community Veterinary Clinic.
This course is offered at the UMass Charles River Campus with commuter and residential options available.
Field Trips:
- Two visits to UMass Amherst Hadley Farm for large animal laboratories
- One visit to a local veterinary referral hospital
- One visit to a shelter and spay/neuter clinic
Field trips subject to change
- Daily lectures
- Guided discussion
- Guided dissections
- Tours of animal shelters and veterinary clinics
- Participate in the Charles River Campus Community Veterinary Clinic
- Practice veterinary lab skills
- Utilize state-of-the art VR technology
- Hands-on practice with pets such as dogs and cats, as well as livestock
Pre-Requisites
There are no pre-requisites for this program.
Materials
Students should bring:
- Scrubs or comfortable clothes free from holes, obscenities or offensive messages
- Closed toed shoes such as sneakers or work shoes
- Rubber boots
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Discuss the responsibilities and available career options for a veterinary technician
- Recognize and use basic medical terminology
- Explain basic mammalian anatomy and physiology
- Describe normal behaviors and behavioral concerns of domestic animals
- Recognize different breeds of domestic animal species
- Understand the functions and challenges of animal shelters
- Explain basic livestock handling and care
- Describe common companion animal diseases and their prevention
- Demonstrate clinically relevant microscopy techniques
- Discuss production and clinical utilization of x-rays, radiographs, and ultrasonography
- Apply basic principles of anesthesia monitoring and surgical assisting for dogs and cats
- Discuss common animal parasites and their control
- Describe basic principles of first aid administration for dogs and cats
- Understand the function of a large veterinary specialty and referral hospital
- Explain basic livestock handling and care
- Reflect upon their participation in the Community Veterinary Clinic
Class time is Monday-Friday from 9 am - 4 pm.
Note: Thursday of each week students travel with instructors to the UMass Amherst campus and will work on the UMass Hadley Farm. We will have lunch in the UMass Dining Hall on Thursdays and return to campus as close to 5:30 pm as possible, depending on traffic. Friday afternoons, students will travel to local veterinary facilities and will return to campus as close to 5:30 pm as possible.
|
Time |
Activity |
|
9:00 AM–9:30 AM |
Live Module Introduction |
|
9:30 AM–11:50 AM |
Independent Breakout Activity |
|
12:00 PM–1:00 PM |
Lunch Break |
|
1:15 PM–2:30 PM |
Afternoon Live Session |
|
2:30 PM–3:50 AM |
Afternoon Applied Activity |
|
4:00 PM |
End of day |
In the evenings and on weekends resident counselors will run a series of social activities. Students are encouraged to join in, relax and have fun with new friends! With social events on campus and in the surrounding Amherst area, and access to the UMass Recreation & Wellness Center, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Learn more about student life at UMass Amherst Summer Pre-College
Meet the Faculty
Amy Rubin, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences
Director, Undergraduate Veterinary Technology Program
Dr. Rubin is a veterinarian and serves as the program director for the veterinary technology program. She teaches Introduction to Veterinary Technology, Large Animal Clinical Nursing, Veterinary Clinical Nursing I, and First Year Seminar. Dr. Rubin is a UMass Amherst alumna with a passion for practicing both companion animal and large animal veterinary medicine.
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