Led By 4-H Volunteers: Casey and Travis Swanson Rebecca Fisher 4-H Vet science Led By 4-H Volunteers: Casey and Travis Swanson Rebecca Fisher

What is Vet Science Skill-a-thon? Competitive event designed to test the knowledge and skills that a member can gain through their involvement in a vet science project. 3 parts to contest Written Exam-subject matter knowledge Skills Exam Test- hands on learning and is the largest component of contest. ID Exam- includes vet instruments, breeds of animals, parasites, and internal organs.

What competitions/practices we will attend? Practices will vary on location depending on location of training. Texas A&M Open House in April Lessons and trainings on a variety of areas in the small and large animal hospital What classes to take in high school to prepare for college and budgeting of college. Where is everyone located? Middle meeting area and will decide on location with approval of building. Planning on Wednesdays if that works for everyone for practices? Monday/Tuesday are our local 4-H dates. Of course training dates will vary to availability. Competitions Bell County Youth Fair in February $10 is due at check-in. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in March - entries will be due to the CEO office November 7th. Texas 4-H Round Up is June 12-14 (State competition level) entries due in April.

What do I need to study? Textbook: Veterinary Assistant Handbook or Veterinary Science: Preparatory Training for the Veterinary Assistant Currently the Bell County 4-H will purchase 2 and the teachers manual to start. I will make copies of the lesson for everyone to have a copy until all books are purchased. A child can purchase the book if you want to have their own for $85. Online Dictionaries and Vet Medical Term Handout (links) Quizlet helps with breeds of animals and instrument knowledge

4-H Enrollment In order to participant in the Vet Science Program you will have to be enrolled in Bell County 4-H at the following link. It’s a $20 fee to join for the year if enrolled before October 31st and after that it will increase to $25 Also, parents that plan to attend trainings, competitions, or help are entitled to enroll as a volunteer for $10 and still follow same process for enrollment as member. www.4honline.com Click Texas If you are a returning member click I have a profile or a new member I need to setup a profile Then follow the on-screen instructions to enroll.

What do I need to wear? To participate in any hands-on trainings or competitions participants must wear tennis shoes or boots (lots of walking on concrete, outside, and inside). At training facilities you must wear a scrub top and at competitions (lab wear). Practices or lesson days not worried about lab wear. At competitions teams will match color tops to represent Bell County 4- H. We can have logo and name placed on tops, if chose too. Also, as a club you can choose the color you will want to wear as a club.

Meetings/Lesson Sign-In at the beginning of every meeting, training, or anytime we meet for insurance purposes, including volunteers. Group Activities Lab practices (hands-on experiences) at local vets or shelters Guest Speakers Once a month we are required to a community service project. Example from previous year: Dog Blankets for local shelters (Around Christmas)

Certified Vet Assistant Certification (CVA) This is for anyone interested that is 12-18 years old. This does take 3-5 years to obtain. Students complete 100 lessons and 50 activities from the textbook and completed 500 hours of skill hours. Once course is completed student will obtain Vet Asst. Title, however you will be qualified to take the Texas Vet Medical Association exam to be certified as a CVA. If interested you can go to www.tvma.org for more information to obtain the certification. Also, if your interested we cant certify you since we don’t have a certification to teach the lesson but this is why we are doing more outside trainings for vets to count and can get everything completed through the vet within the Bell County 4-H.

Who is interested?? If you are planning to enroll and be part of the Vet Science Team please decide as club: Dates to practice (2 with trainings or will be 4 times a month with no training that month) Wednesdays? Time? Color of scrub along with each members size Any training topics or guest speakers you interested in? Don’t forget to enroll on the 4-H website as a member or volunteer!! Looking forward to a great year!!

Questions? If you have any questions at anytime feel free to email tswanson01@hotmail.com or text Casey (512) 864-5812. Its easier to email and faster to get a response due to job.