Aerial view of the JWCC ag center

Animal Care Vet Assistance

The Animal Care Veterinary Assistant certificate is designed to provide students with techniques, best practices, and technologies needed to be successful in the animal care industry. Practices in large and small, farm and non-farm animals will be addressed. Multiple animal care and veterinary resources including those at John Wood Community College, Animal Science Complex, and University of Illinois Orr Beef Research Center will be used to provide practical hands-on lab experiences for students.

Several JWCC students smile with goats in arms

Career Opportunities

  • Veterinarian Technician
  • Animal Care Provider
  • Research Animal Attendant

Potential Employers

  • Western Illinois Veterinary Clinic
  • VCA Klingele Animal Hospital
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Suggested Degree Plan for Animal Care Vet Assistance Certificate
Do not use this degree plan as a substitute for an advisor. Always meet with an advisor to discuss your specific needs for completing the program before signing up for classes each semester.
First Year - Fall Details
AGR 150 Agriculture and Consumer-Related Occupations I Details 1
An introduction to various agricultural occupations, this course involves a study of career opportunities in agriculture industry, business, farming, teaching, resource management and environmental control. It is designed to gather occupational information which will allow the student to develop educational and occupational goals. Satisfies JWCC job-seeking skills course requirement.
Prerequisites: (none)
VET 101 Veterinary Assistant I Details 3
This class prepares students to work in the animal care field. Class consists of 30 classroom hours and a minimum of 25 lab hours actually observing and practicing veterinary assistant skills learned from content instruction. Trained assistants support veterinary technicians and veterinarians in a variety of inpatient and outpatient activities. Available during the fall semester only. 2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
Locations: Available during the fall semester only
AGR 202 Introduction to Animal Science Details 4
A basic course in the principles of livestock production and management, including breed identification, evaluation and selection, feeding, reproduction, sanitation, disease control, and physiology of beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep and poultry. 3 lecture hours, 2 lab hours; IAI: AG 902
Prerequisites: (none)
FYE 101 Blazing Your Trail Details 1
Directed to new students, this course provides a supportive transition to the culture of higher education. Course objectives aim at preparing students for the college experience by acquiring effective learning techniques and by becoming aware of available college resources for academic and personal growth. This course also develops students' abilities, which will assist them with the complexities of college life.
Prerequisites: (none)
Various Approved Electives (Animal Care Vet Assistance Certificate) (3-8) Details 3-8
AGR 165, 167, 174, 169, 174, 177, or 180. Across the program, 8 hours of approved electives must be taken in total.
AGR 165 Beef Management Details 2
Designed to focus upon those principles of beef production which emphasize the skills and knowledge needed to manage the beef cow herd. Topics include selection of breeding stock, artificial insemination, reproductive physiology, beef cow nutrition, herd health programs, forage management, wean to finish, management and marketing.
Prerequisites: (none)
Locations: Available at the Agricultural Education Center (Baylis)
AGR 167 Applied Beef Production Skills Details 2
Students will be assisting with duties related to cows and calves at the University of Illinois Orr Beef Research Center. Possible duties might include vaccinating, moving and handling breeding cows, preparing for parturition and calving cows, processing newborns, and caring for young calves. Students could also assist with other research activities with cows and newborn calves. 0.5 lecture hours, 3 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
Locations: Available at the Agricultural Education Center and UI Beef Research Center (Baylis)
AGR 169 Artificial Insemination - Cattle Details 1
Study of the physiology of the reproductive tract of cattle and the use of insemination equipment for breeding of cattle; includes procedures that make artificial insemination practical. 0.5 lecture hours, 1 lab hour
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 174 Artificial Insemination - Swine Details 3
The physiology of the reproductive tract of farm animals and the use of insemination equipment for breeding of livestock is studied. Included are management procedures that make artificial insemination practical. 0.5 lecture hours, 1 lab hour.
Prerequisites: (none)
Locations: Available at the Agricultural Education Center (Baylis).
AGR 177 Introduction to Equine Science I Details 2
A basic course in the principles of equine care and management, including breed identification, training, evaluation, selection, feeding, reproduction, and physiology of equine animals. Particular attention is paid to the feeding and training of horses and the role of the equine industry in modern times.
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 180 Swine Management Details 2
Covers factors used to select and manage a breeding herd. Emphasis on the skills and practices necessary for maximizing reproductive performance in confinement. The course includes choosing replacement females, selecting boars, cross breeding, artificial insemination, pen and hand breeding, genetics, wean to finish, management, and carcass evaluation. Covers the science and reasoning behind the application of the above topics.
Prerequisites: (none)
Locations: Available at the Agricultural Education Center (Baylis) Only offered during the spring semester of odd years
AGR 182 Applied Pork Production Skills Details 2
Students gain practical experience in pork production skills through classroom and laboratory work. Pregnancy testing of sows, studying methods of breeding sows and gilts, using chemical and manual assistance in delivering pigs, clipping needle-teeth, docking tails, vaccinations, injections, castration of hogs, and swine artificial insemination are covered. 0 lecture hours, 4 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
Locations: Available at the Agricultural Education Center (Baylis)
First Year - Spring Details
AGR 164 Animal Nutrition and Health Details 3
Fundamental principles of animal nutrition and maintenance of health for animals with monogastric and ruminant digestive systems. Study of essential nutrients, feed ingredients and additives, balancing rations and economic considerations in feeding. In-depth analysis is given to nutritional content of crops commonly produced and fed to livestock. 2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours
Prerequisites: (none)
Locations: Available at the Agricultural Education Center (Baylis)
VET 102 Veterinary Assistant II Details 3
This class is an extension of VET 101 to further prepare students to work in the animal care field. Students will gain in-depth knowledge in anatomy, pathophysiology of animal diseases, emergency care and anesthesia/surgery protocols. Class consists of 30 online hours and a minimum of 25 hours actually observing and practicing intermediate veterinary assistant skills learned in the classroom setting. Trained assistants support veterinary technicians and veterinarians in a variety of inpatient and outpatient activities. Available during the spring semester only. 2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: VET 101
Locations: Available during the spring semester only
AGR 175 Computer Applications in Agribusiness Details 3
Introduction to the applications of the microcomputer to agribusiness: word processing, spreadsheets, data base management, presentation software, and use of the Internet. Satisfies JWCC computer competency requirement. (Same as CSC 106)
Prerequisites: (none)
Locations: Available at the Agricultural Education Center (Baylis)
Various Approved Electives (Animal Care Vet Assistance Certificate) (3-8) Details 3-8
AGR 165, 167, 174, 169, 174, 177, or 180. Across the program, 8 hours of approved electives must be taken in total.
AGR 165 Beef Management Details 2
Designed to focus upon those principles of beef production which emphasize the skills and knowledge needed to manage the beef cow herd. Topics include selection of breeding stock, artificial insemination, reproductive physiology, beef cow nutrition, herd health programs, forage management, wean to finish, management and marketing.
Prerequisites: (none)
Locations: Available at the Agricultural Education Center (Baylis)
AGR 167 Applied Beef Production Skills Details 2
Students will be assisting with duties related to cows and calves at the University of Illinois Orr Beef Research Center. Possible duties might include vaccinating, moving and handling breeding cows, preparing for parturition and calving cows, processing newborns, and caring for young calves. Students could also assist with other research activities with cows and newborn calves. 0.5 lecture hours, 3 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
Locations: Available at the Agricultural Education Center and UI Beef Research Center (Baylis)
AGR 169 Artificial Insemination - Cattle Details 1
Study of the physiology of the reproductive tract of cattle and the use of insemination equipment for breeding of cattle; includes procedures that make artificial insemination practical. 0.5 lecture hours, 1 lab hour
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 174 Artificial Insemination - Swine Details 3
The physiology of the reproductive tract of farm animals and the use of insemination equipment for breeding of livestock is studied. Included are management procedures that make artificial insemination practical. 0.5 lecture hours, 1 lab hour.
Prerequisites: (none)
Locations: Available at the Agricultural Education Center (Baylis).
AGR 177 Introduction to Equine Science I Details 2
A basic course in the principles of equine care and management, including breed identification, training, evaluation, selection, feeding, reproduction, and physiology of equine animals. Particular attention is paid to the feeding and training of horses and the role of the equine industry in modern times.
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 180 Swine Management Details 2
Covers factors used to select and manage a breeding herd. Emphasis on the skills and practices necessary for maximizing reproductive performance in confinement. The course includes choosing replacement females, selecting boars, cross breeding, artificial insemination, pen and hand breeding, genetics, wean to finish, management, and carcass evaluation. Covers the science and reasoning behind the application of the above topics.
Prerequisites: (none)
Locations: Available at the Agricultural Education Center (Baylis) Only offered during the spring semester of odd years
AGR 182 Applied Pork Production Skills Details 2
Students gain practical experience in pork production skills through classroom and laboratory work. Pregnancy testing of sows, studying methods of breeding sows and gilts, using chemical and manual assistance in delivering pigs, clipping needle-teeth, docking tails, vaccinations, injections, castration of hogs, and swine artificial insemination are covered. 0 lecture hours, 4 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
Locations: Available at the Agricultural Education Center (Baylis)
Summer Details
AGR 199 Occupational Internship I Details 1-5 (Varies)
Students are placed in selected areas of production, horticulture and agribusiness to learn about these businesses under actual working conditions. This experience allows the student to explore and apply knowledge to his/her career interests. Dual supervision is provided by college staff and the operating business. Course requires 80 hours of work experience for each credit hour.
Prerequisites: Consent of department
NOTE: Only students who do not need additional coursework and who take the number of credits or courses as listed each semester can complete the program in the time given. Others will take longer to complete. Course descriptions may contain IAI (Illinois Articulation Initiative) codes containing information for students transferring their credits to another Illinois higher learning institution. See itransfer.org or the JWCC course catalog for more information on IAI.