Veterinary Assistant - Individuals with Disabilities

Location(s): Dundalk

Program Description

Veterinary assistants support veterinarians and other technicians in all aspects of animal care to ensure animals receive the care and attention needed during a procedure. They typically feed and bathe animals and clean cages and kennels to keep pets clean, safe, and happy while away from their homes. This program prepares students with learning differences and disabilities to assist with kennel care, assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians during exams of animals, and provide support throughout the veterinary office. They are employed at animal day cares, animal shelters, animal emergency centers, and veterinary practices. This track provides instruction that is multisensory, multimodal, personalized, and incorporates elements of universal design for learning. Classes are taught with a low student-teacher ratio to better meet the needs of individual learners.

Students entering this program should have a desire to work with animals of all types and follow direction well.

Veterinary assistant jobs can be found with for-profit and non-profit organizations. Additional career information may be found in Career Coach: https://ccbcmd.lightcastcc.com/.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:

1. build upon skills and knowledge from the Professional Animal Workers (PAWS) program for a more advanced position in the animal care industry.

Program Credentials

Successful Completion:
CCBC Credential: Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Certificate and have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).

Financial Aid and Payment Options

We offer financial aid by packaging public and private funding options to those who qualify, in select Continuing Education courses and programs. Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition, the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development.

Length of Training

16 weeks (daytime classes)

Courses start in January/February and August at CCBC Dundalk.

Program Requirements

Minimum 8th Grade Reading Level and 5th Grade Math Level - according to an assessment administered during an intake interview, and the ability to lift 50 lbs.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Single Step Professional Animals Workers (PAWS) program. Internships may require a criminal background check and urinalysis (additional fee).

This program is not eligible for Baltimore County Public Schools Blueprint funding

Prior Learning Assessment

This program has potential options for waiving select courses based on previous coursework or articulated coursework from an approved curriculum. A maximum of 42 program hours may be earned from prior learning.

Application Process

Application Process:

Selective Entry – Call 443-840-3262 to schedule an interview and assessment. To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Non-Credit Workforce Training Certificate application. An email will then be sent with program information and any additional requirements necessary to apply for the program.

Program Course Sequence

Course Number	Course Title	Hours	Textbook Information (approximate cost; subject to change)	Costs T=Tuition/F=Fees
CHA208	Practical Skills for the Veterinary Assistant	15	None	$260 T-$31/F-$229
CHA209	Introduction to Veterinary Assisting	20	None	$335 T-$41/F-$294
CHA210	Veterinary Assisting I	27	None	$445 T-$55/F-$390
CHA211	Veterinary Assisting II	36	None	$615 T-$73/F-$542
CHA212	Biology and Disease for Veterinary Assistants	42	None	$710 T-$86/F-$624
*Course Series Totals:*		140	$0	$2,365 T-$286/F-$2,079

Additional Information

Additional Expenses:
If an optional internship is elected, students are responsible for the cost of a criminal background check and urinalysis.

Career Opportunities:

Veterinary assistant and entry-level staff at veterinary offices and other animal care related businesses.

Career Coach

Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more. View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA. Explore career and training opportunities at https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.

Contact Information