Registration Underway for TAMIU Continuing Education Veterinary Assistant Course

Learn to care for sick and injured animals and prepare for a career as a veterinary assistant this fall through the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Office of Continuing Education Veterinary Assistant Certificate Course. TAMIU alumna Dr. Rebecca Rodríguez, City of Laredo’s first in-house resident staff veterinarian, will teach the 16-week course. Start date is Tuesday, Sept. 12.

Registration is underway online at enrole.com/tamiu

Course fee is $3,100. The TAMIU Office of Continuing Education offers several payment options.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is projected to grow nine percent in the next decade, faster than the average for all occupations. Veterinary assistants handle sterilizing lab and surgical equipment. Under the supervision of veterinarians, veterinary assistants may be asked to administer medications and provide pre/post op care.

The course will introduce students to the science of veterinary medicine. Students will learn to care for sick and injured animals as well as learn client relations, office and hospital procedures, animal nursing, exam room practices, surgical preparations, laboratory processes and radiology and pharmacology terminology. 

Students will be required to read the course materials and complete reading comprehension assignments online. TAMIU computer labs will be available for those who register for the course.

Class will meet once a week with Dr. Rodríguez on Tuesday evenings to review course materials and learn safety precautions. Students will also participate in hands-on labs and assignments led by the instructor.

Additionally, students will complete an externship from Wednesday, Nov. 15 – Monday, Dec. 11.

Those who complete the course will be prepared for one national certification exam while enrolled in this course: Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA).

Other courses offered this fall: pharmacy technician and medical billing and coding. Registration is underway. Courses start in October and last 12 weeks.

The Office of Continuing Education course catalog is available at tamiu.edu/ce.

For more information, contact the Office of Continuing Education at 956.326.3068.

University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Additional information is available at facebook.com/txamiu.contedu