By Elbert Hutchins, EdD, CAE, TVMA Executive Director
Most veterinarians may not be aware of it, but high school students in many school districts can now earn up to four credits toward graduation by enrolling in a series of veterinary assistant technology classes approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). These classes are part of an innovative curriculum adopted by the TEA for use in the vocational agriculture programs of qualifying high schools. TEA personnel consulted the Texas Veterinary Medical Association on a regular basis throughout the program development phase of this new curriculum, to ensure the compatibility of its curriculum with TVMA’s own Certified Veterinary Assistant program.
The three classes approved for high school instruction include an Introduction to Veterinary Assistant Technology class (1/2 to 1 credit), a Veterinary Assistant I class (1 credit) and a Veterinary Assistant II class (2 credits). Independent school districts must apply individually to the TEA for approval to offer these classes as an “innovative curriculum.” At this time, some 61 school districts in Texas have been approved to offer one or more of the innovative courses, and students completing this curriculum are qualified to submit a “Skills Validation Checklist” completed by a DVM or RVT and to take the TVMA CVA examination for the Certified Veterinary Assistant credential.
The districts approved by the TEA at this time are as follows: Allen ISD, Alvarado ISD, Anahuac ISD, Angleton ISD, Arlington ISD, Austin ISD, Bastrop ISD, Bells ISD, Bellville ISD, Calallen ISD, Caldwell ISD, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, Center Point ISD, Central Heights ISD, Clear Creek ISD, College Station ISD, Columbus ISD, Conroe ISD, Copperas Cove ISD, Denison ISD, Forney ISD, Friendship ISD, Frisco ISD, Galena Park ISD, Garland ISD, Georgetown ISD, Goose Creek ISD, Hays ISD, Hillsboro ISD, Humble ISD, Iowa Park ISD, Kerrville ISD, Klein ISD, La Porte ISD, Lake Travis ISD, Leander ISD, Livingston ISD, Lovejoy ISD, Lumberton ISD, Mansfield ISD, Marble Falls ISD, Marshall ISD, McKinney ISD, Nacogdoches ISD, Newton ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Plano ISD, Round Rock ISD, San Angelo ISD, Schulenburg ISD, Silsbee ISD, Sinton ISD, Smithville ISD, Spring Branch ISD, Spring ISD, Sweetwater ISD, Temple ISD, Tuloso-Midway ISD, Weimar ISD, Weslaco ISD and White Settlement ISD.
Each approved program is required to maintain an advisory committee including local veterinarians as advisors. All TVMA members living in one of the school districts approved to offer the Veterinary Assistant Technology courses are encouraged to contact school or vocational agriculture program administrators to learn how you can assist with the classes to ensure a high-quality educational experience for the students. There should be plenty of opportunities to serve your local program as a guest lecturer, to host field trips to your clinic, to employ after school and summer “interns,” to employ program graduates or to help in other ways. Your own practice and the profession as a whole will be the beneficiaries of your efforts to ensure the success and quality of these programs.
Within TVMA, the Certified Veterinary Assistant program was adopted by the Board of Directors in 1999 and was implemented shortly thereafter. A subcommittee of the Technician Oversight Committee that meets twice annually to provide program direction and evaluation oversees the program. The Technician Oversight Committee is currently chaired by Dr. Anthony Meyer, and the CVA Subcommittee is chaired by Dr. Guy Johnsen.
To learn more about the TVMA Certified Veterinary Assistant program please CLICK HERE, or email Bekki Williams, Training and Certification Specialist, at bwilliams@tvma.org.
