Animal Care (2021 - 03 - 03 15 - 11 - 26 UTC)

Study Unit
Introduction to
Animal Care
By
Margi Sirois, M.S., R.V.T.
Reviewed By
Nancy H. Thomas, C.V.T.
About the Author
Margi Sirois received her degree in veterinary technology from
Camden County College in Blackwood, New Jersey. She also holds a
bachelor of science in biology from Rowan University and a master
of science in biology from Rutgers University. She was awarded a
doctorate in instructional technology and distance education from
Nova Southwestern University. Following several years as a veteri-
nary technician in both institutional and small-animal practice,
Ms. Sirois began teaching veterinary technicians. She’s an inde-
pendent consultant in veterinary medicine and distance education.
Ms. Sirois participates in several professional associations, and has
held both state and national office in veterinary professional associ-
ations. The author of several veterinary technician manuals, Ms.
Sirois has also published a textbook on clinical laboratory proce-
dures for veterinary technicians.
About the Reviewer

Nancy H. Thomas earned a bachelor of science in microbiology from
Clemson University, with a concentration in preveterinary science
and zoology. She became a certified veterinary technician in 1999.
For 20 years, Ms. Thomas worked in the field of care, handling,
training, and breeding both domestic and exotic animals. Presently,
she’s a veterinary technician with a small-animal veterinary clinic
in Florida. She’s responsible for patient care, treatments, radiology,
inventories, and associated laboratory and administrative duties.
She’s also a behavioral consultant for the clinic as well as an obe-
dience-training instructor.
Settings for Figures 1, 4, 5, 8–11, 13, 14, 16–21, and 23 are courtesy of
Airpark Animal Hospital, Westminster, MD.
All terms mentioned in this text that are known to be trademarks or service
marks have been appropriately capitalized. Use of a term in this text should not
be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.
Copyright © 2002 by Penn Foster, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright may be
reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval
system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be
mailed to Copyright Permissions, Penn Foster, 925 Oak Street, Scranton,
Pennsylvania 18515.
Printed in the United States of America
05/10/13
Congratulations on your decision to
join the veterinary health care team!
The Veterinary Technician program
will give you the educational back-
P r ev i ew
ground you’ll need to work as a
veterinary technician in a variety of
settings. As a veterinary technician,
you’ll work closely with animals and
with other veterinary professionals.
Upon completing this program, you’ll have the skills you
need to be a valuable member of the veterinary team in any
of the many different areas of the profession. You’ll be able
to choose from many career opportunities.
Veterinary health care is an exciting, constantly changing
field. You’ll need to improve your knowledge and update
your skills continually to keep abreast of the changes. This
unit introduces you to the veterinary health care field and
describes the variety of animal care careers.
When you complete this study unit, you’ll be able to

• Name and discuss the personal and professional qualities
required in the veterinary field
• Summarize the history of veterinary medicine
• Describe the aspects of veterinary practice that are regulated
by law, the bodies that regulate them, and the training, licens-
ing, and certification requirements various veterinary profes-
sionals must meet
• List and describe the various types of veterinary practices and
the roles the veterinary staff play in each
• List and describe the roles, responsibilities, and certification
requirements of the veterinary health care team members
• Describe the different areas and functions of a veterinary prac-
tice
• Describe animal care opportunities beyond the veterinary prac-
tice
• Define professionalism and professional ethics and describe
their implications for the veterinary care field
iii
INTRODUCTION TO VETERINARY MEDICINE 1
Personal Qualifications 2
Physical Requirements 2
Contents
Working Conditions 3
History of Veterinary Medicine 3
The American Veterinary Medical Association 5
LEGAL ASPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE 7

Veterinary Practice Acts 7
State and Federal Government Agencies 9
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 11
TYPES OF VETERINARY PRACTICES 16

Overview 16
Small-Animal Private Veterinary Practices 16
Veterinary Referral Practice 19
Large-Animal Practice 20
Voluntary Professional Accreditation 21
THE VETERINARY HEALTH CARE TEAM 23

Delegation of Tasks in Veterinary Hospitals 23
Veterinary Technician (VT) 24
Veterinary Technician Specialist 25
Veterinary Assistant (VA) 26
Kennel Aide 28
Veterinary Receptionist 29
Veterinary Practice Manager (VPM) 30
VETERINARY PRACTICE DESIGN 33

Areas of the Veterinary Practice 33
Reception Area 34
Examination Room 34
Surgical Suite 35
Treatment Area 36
Grooming Area 36
Hospital Ward 37
Isolation Area 38
X-Ray Room 38
Darkroom 39
Laboratory Area 40
Employee Lounge 40
Pharmacy 41
Staff Offices and Library 41
Storage Areas 42
v
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ANIMAL
CARE FIELD 44
Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) 44
Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) 45
Pet Shop Attendant 45
Pet Sitter 46
Salesperson 46
Dog Trainer 46
Animal Control Officer (ACO) 47
Animal Shelter Aide 47
Zoo Animal Caretaker 48
Wildlife Rehabilitator 48
The Right Field for You 49
PROFESSIONALISM 51
Professional Presentation and Attitude 51
Professional Associations 53
Professional Ethics 54
SELF-CHECK ANSWERS 61
EXAMINATION 67
vi Contents
Introduction to Animal Care
INTRODUCTION TO
VETERINARY MEDICINE
The animal care industry offers a variety of careers. The first
career opportunity that comes to most people’s minds when
you say animal care is, of course, veterinarian, but this
doesn’t begin to cover the variety of veterinary industry
opportunities. Veterinarians often lead a team of specially
trained workers who perform many different roles and who
share a love of animals beyond that of the average pet owner
(Figure 1). People who want to work improving the lives of
animals can discover almost unlimited opportunities in the
animal care field. Wherever animals are, career and business
opportunities present themselves, not to mention the poten-
tial opportunities in areas related to animals and their care.
FIGURE 1—
Veterinarians often
lead a team of specially
trained workers.
1
Personal Qualifications
Anyone considering a career in veterinary health care must
have a genuine desire to nurture and care for animals. In
addition, if you’re intent on pursuing this field, you must
also remember that the veterinary health care industry
serves animal owners as well. Prospective veterinary health
care professionals must get along well with people. You must
sincerely enjoy working with animal owners and colleagues,
helping them to provide the best animal care. Your personality
should be pleasant and cheerful to work effectively with pet
owners and veterinary staffers. Good communication skills
are a must since you often have to relate precise information
about animal care, condition, and treatment. You need the
ability to remain calm, alert, and patient in the face of unex-
pected crises. Good organizational skills will help you to con-
front ever-changing challenges and accomplish diverse tasks
correctly and promptly. You need to be resourceful and cre-
ative to address the crises and limited resources inevitable in
a veterinary environment.
Most importantly, you must be able to cope with the
supreme stress of working with animals that can’t be cured
and must be euthanized. Euthanasia is the act of killing
hopelessly sick or injured animals in a painless way. A
dedicated, reliable individual who can respond positively to
the stresses of this difficult, emotional time is invaluable to
any veterinary hospital.
Physical Requirements
Working as a veterinary technician can be physically
demanding. Veterinary technicians must be able to walk and
stand for long periods of time. Reaching, bending, climbing,
and crouching are often needed to perform the responsibilities
of the job. The ability to lift and carry fifty pounds without
assistance is also a requirement in most veterinary facilities.
Vision, speech, and hearing must be sufficient to communi-
cate effectively as well as perform observations and other
essential skills with animals. The veterinary technician must
be able to communicate clearly in English. Arm and hand
steadiness and finger dexterity must be sufficient to operate
equipment and perform other essential tasks.
2 Introduction to Animal Care

Working Conditions
Animals need care all day, every day. While caring for animals
can bring great personal satisfaction to the right person in the
right job, some of the necessary work can be unpleasant.
Animal care workers are constantly cleaning up after the ani-
mals and smelling disagreeable odors. Some jobs involve lifting
heavy items like feed sacks. The veterinary worker is subject
to animal bites, kicks, and scratches. Working hours can be
unpredictable for some veterinary workers, and since animals
don’t take time off, weekends and holidays are often workdays
for the veterinary staff.
Still with us? Then you’ve got what it takes! It’s time for you
to learn more about the respected field you’re entering.
History of Veterinary Medicine

The relationship between animals and humans predates
recorded history (Figure 2). Literature from as far back as
2500 B.C. refers to doctors of veterinary medicine. Ancient
medical doctors were often veterinarians as well, primarily
treating injuries and FIGURE 2—The first
recorded picture of an
diseases of transport animal healer using an
or farm animals. obstetrical cord was
These early practi- found on an ancient
cylinder seal dating back
tioners knew little of to about 2200 B.C.
specific animal
anatomy or disease,
and knowledge
remained scarce
until the seven-
teenth and eigh-
teenth centuries, when a series of animal plagues struck
Europe. These plagues infected animals used for food and
transport, and seriously affected the economies of many
countries. European governments began to support veteri-
nary research designed to improve livestock health.
Researchers performed the first recorded animal anatomy
and disease studies, developing the rudiments of modern vet-
erinary medicine.
Introduction to Animal Care 3

Specific training for veterinarians, however, didn’t begin until
1761 with the founding of the first veterinary college in Lyon,
France. College-trained veterinarians completed much of their
training literally in the field, since their primary concern was
the health of farm animals. The relationship between pets
and owners was little understood in these early days. Medical
treatment was generally reserved for farm animals.
U.S. veterinary schools began in the 1850s and usually
required less than a year of training. State and federal gov-
ernments soon upgraded educational standards, causing
most short-term schools to close by the turn of the century
(Figure 3). State-supported colleges then began to offer
advanced degrees in veterinary science. These schools also
funded research to improve livestock health. For most of the
twentieth century, the typical veterinarian was male, treating
farm animals in rural areas.
FIGURE 3—The University of Pennsylvania founded the second North American veterinary
college in Philadelphia in 1884. (Reprinted with permission from Stock Montage, Inc.)

The American Veterinary
Medical Association
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accred-
its college training programs for veterinarians and veterinary
technicians. Veterinarians, to be licensed in the United States,
must graduate from a veterinary college approved by the
AVMA. Most veterinary school students complete a four-year
college science degree before their additional four years of
veterinary school. The veterinary school graduate must pass
both the national and state veterinary board examinations.
Each state sets its own training and licensing requirements
for veterinary support staff. In most cases, veterinary techni-
cians must graduate from an AVMA-accredited college program
to be licensed, registered, or certified. College programs in
veterinary technology usually take two years to complete.
Other veterinary health care team members generally aren’t
licensed. Voluntary certification examinations are available
for some veterinary support staff. Specialized training for
other animal care positions is available from a variety
of sources.
Veterinary health care team members should understand
every other team member’s role. We’ll describe each of these
positions. In some cases, state or federal law designates a
particular team member’s role. Before moving on to the
specific legal aspects of the field, take a moment to review
your introduction to veterinary medicine, then check your
progress with your first set of review questions.

Self-Check 1
At the end of each section of Introduction to Animal Care, you’ll pause and check your under-
standing of what you’ve just read by completing a “Self-Check.” Writing the answers to these
questions will help you review what you’ve studied so far. Please complete Self-Check 1 now.
1. True or False? The veterinary medicine field is an ideal refuge for people who prefer to avoid
people and just work with animals.
2. Which of the following is a typical benefit of a job in veterinary medicine?

a. Predictable hours
b. No heavy lifting
c. The chance to make a difference in the lives of animals
d. The chance to work independently
3. The first veterinary college was founded in _______, France, in the year _______.
4. True or False? Most veterinarians in the twentieth century were female.
Check your answers with those on page 61.

LEGAL ASPECTS OF
VETERINARY PRACTICE
A field as vast, diverse, and important as veterinary medicine
is bound to be heavily regulated. Now it’s time to acquaint
yourself with these legal principles, beginning with each
state’s power to license.
Veterinary Practice Acts

The laws that govern veterinary medicine in a particular state
are called the state’s veterinary practice acts. Each state has
its own set of regulations designed to enforce its veterinary
practice act. State legislators write regulations based upon
the recommendations of a veterinary medical board, a group of
veterinarians appointed by the governor to oversee a state’s
veterinary medicine. The veterinary medical board is also
called the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (BVME).
The BVME typically administers license and certificate
examinations; it also holds hearings to air complaints about
its state’s veterinary professionals.
If you’re interested in obtaining more information, write or
telephone your state’s BVME to request a copy of the
veterinary practice act for your state.
Although the practice acts differ by state, they all define the
educational and licensing requirements that apply to the
state’s veterinarians. All state practice acts require that a
veterinarian graduate from an AVMA-approved school of
veterinary medicine, and pass examinations that usually
include a state exam as well as the National Veterinary
Medical Board examination. All state practice acts require
that an individual who diagnoses animal disease, performs
surgery on animals, or prescribes medication for animals
be a licensed veterinarian. Some practice acts require that
the veterinarian, to maintain a license in that state, attend
a yearly quota of continuing education. This continuing edu-
cation may be a seminar, literature review, or college course.
Most veterinary practice acts also define the requirements
needed to work as a veterinary technician in that state.

The practice acts always require the veterinary technician
and other supporting staff members to work under the direct
supervision of a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine. Some
state practice acts also define the educational requirements
for veterinary support staff, and often limit specific veterinary
hospital tasks to licensed staff members. Some practice acts,
for example, require that advanced laboratory procedures
and anesthesia be performed by a credentialed veterinary
technician. Most states also require veterinary technicians to
pass the national examination for veterinary technicians.
Some states may accept other types of college science
courses in place of a veterinary technology program.
Different states use the terms registered, licensed, or certified
to identify veterinary technicians who have met state practice
act requirements. Each state chooses its particular identifying
term. Some states have identical licensing requirements.
Veterinary technicians, to maintain their certification, may
also have to complete continuing-education requirements.
Many state, regional, and national veterinary meetings
offer continuing education for veterinary technicians. State
practice acts often omit the mention of support staff other
than the veterinary technician. The practice act may prohibit
support staff members who aren’t qualified veterinary
technicians from performing certain tasks. The American
Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) maintains a
database of the requirements for credentialing of veterinary
professionals in each state.
A veterinary technician can be known by a variety of titles,
depending on which state he or she resides in. These
titles include
• AHT—Animal Health Technician
• AT—Animal Technician
• VT—Veterinary Technician
• RVT—Registered Veterinary Technician
• CVT—Certified Veterinary Technician
• LVT—Licensed Veterinary Technician
• GVT—Graduate Veterinary Technician

The term veterinary nurse is used by some veterinary facili-
ties in place of the term veterinary technician. However, this
term isn’t legal to use in some states where the term “nurse”
is restricted by law to be used by human medical nursing
professionals. The term veterinary technician may be restrict-
ed by law to be used only by those individuals that have
graduated from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technician
program. Other states may allow individuals with no formal
education to use the term.
State practice acts also define specific physical facility require-
ments a veterinary hospital must meet. The requirements
help to assure the general public that the veterinary hospital
has equipment necessary for adequate veterinary services.
State and Federal Government Agencies

Veterinary hospitals are highly regulated by several state and
federal government agencies and associations. Each agency
has a special purpose and is designed to enforce a specific
set of regulations, usually conceived to protect the worker
or the public from disease and other hazards. Some of these
laws and regulations apply to all veterinary practices, others
strictly to biomedical research facilities. A few regulations
apply only to veterinary practices that offer certain services
to the public.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a division of
the U.S. Department of Justice, is a federal law enforcement
agency. The DEA enforces the Controlled Substances Act.
The Controlled Substances Act is a federal law that controls
the manufacture, purchase, and distribution of certain medica-
tions. In general, the act covers addictive medications subject
to abuse, like narcotics. The act requires any individual
engaged in the manufacture, sale, or dispensing of addictive
medications to be licensed. Since many drugs used to anes-
thetize animals are controlled substances, veterinarians
must be licensed to buy or prescribe any of these medications.
Specific regulations govern controlled substance storage, use,
and record keeping. Any controlled substance use requires a

detailed written record. To ensure the security of drugs, the
ordering of controlled substances is also highly regulated.
Veterinary technicians and assistants help to anesthetize
animals, and must know the names and record-keeping
requirements of drugs.
The Controlled Substances Act requirements can be summa-
rized as follows:
• Veterinarians must obtain a license to purchase, use, or

dispense controlled substances.
• Controlled substances must be kept in a

double-locked area.
• Any controlled substance used or dispensed must

be logged.
• Written records must be kept for five years.
• Inventory must be taken every two years.
U.S. Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor governs issues that affect
workers on the job. The Department of Labor requires
that each employer registers and obtains an Employer
Identification Number. A Department of Labor agency
enforces the standards known as the Occupational Safety
and Health Regulations.
Occupational Safety and

Health Administration (OSHA)
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
is a division of the U.S. Department of Labor. OSHA enforces
laws protecting workers from workplace hazards. Federal
OSHA regulations allow states to adopt their own regulations.
Some of the state OSHA regulations are identical to the
federal ones.
OSHA regulations specify initiatives employers must take to
reduce workplace risk. OSHA standards call for the employer
to post certain notices and to maintain written safety plans.
Employers must make protective equipment available to
workers. In the veterinary practice, a field prone to injury

and disease exposure, this equipment includes lead aprons
(for workers taking radiographs) and protective gloves (for
workers handling hazardous chemicals). The owner of the
veterinary practice must be able to document that all work-
ers needing protective equipment have been taught its proper
use and care.
OSHAs requirements can be summarized as follows:
• Display job safety and health protection posters.

• Record occupational injuries and illnesses.
• Display warning and identification signs.
• Provide written plans for job safety and health.
• Train employees in proper procedures.
• Provide protective equipment for employees.
U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services
Several branches of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services govern various aspects of animal health.
The Public Health Service (PHS) and the National Institutes
of Health (NIH) oversee regulations that pertain to the care
and use of animals in biomedical research. The regulations of
the Food and Drug Administration assure safe and effective
food and drugs.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an agency of the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, was created
to ensure safe and effective food, drugs, and medical devices.
The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is the primary law that
the FDA exists to enforce. The Center for Veterinary Medicine
(CVM) is the FDA branch that monitors the animal health
industry, administering the sections of the Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act that pertain to animals. For more information
about the FDA and its relation to the veterinary field, check
its Web site at http://www.fda.gov/.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has several agen-
cies that help to regulate the veterinary industry. The Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), a division of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, enforces the Animal Welfare
Act. USDA departments also oversee import and export of
animals and develop programs to control disease in food
animals. Another USDA agency, the Food Safety Inspection
Service (FSIS), ensures that meat and poultry products are
safe and correctly labeled. Several other USDA agencies also
deal with veterinary issues, such as the Agricultural Research
Service and the Extension Service. For more information
about the USDA and its relation to the veterinary field, check
its Web site at http://www.usda.gov/.
Animal Welfare Act

The Animal Welfare Act is a group of federal laws designed to
ensure that laboratory animals receive the best possible care.
A laboratory animal is an animal kept in a research facility,
zoo, or educational institution. The laws also apply to breeders
who supply animals for research or education. The laws set
standards for the care of all warm-blooded animals except rats
and mice. The standards address all aspects of an animal’s
daily care and environmental conditions. The Animal Welfare
Act specifies that a laboratory animal’s environment must be
kept clean, at a comfortable temperature and humidity level,
and free of sharp objects that could injure the animal. Specific
requirements govern exercise for some species of animals as
well as regular, consistent contact with other animals and
humans. Laboratory animal technicians and their assistants
are often responsible for ensuring that the facility complies
with all regulations.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a federal govern-
ment agency. Several EPA divisions have regulations that apply
to veterinary practice. EPA-enforced regulations primarily aim
to reduce environmental pesticide contamination. Veterinary
practices that offer certain grooming services usually must

A CHAMPION FOR THE CAUSE
HENRY BERGH (1811–1888)
Born in New York City, Henry Bergh studied at Columbia University
and then helped manage the family shipping business until he was
32. At that time, his father died and he inherited a fortune. He
became a career diplomat and was appointed secretary of the lega-
tion in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1863. Horrified at the treatment of
animals in Russia, he vowed to help animals everywhere. He left the
diplomatic corps, returned to New York City, and resolved to dedicate his life to the prevention of
cruelty to animals. In 1866, Bergh obtained a New York State charter for the first animal welfare
organization in the United States. It was named the American Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). He was also responsible for the New York legislature’s approving
the Animal Welfare Act of 1866. Although Bergh was unable to transform the ASPCA into a
national organization, his work spurred the efforts of others. By the time of his death in March
1888, there were 33 animal welfare agencies in the United States, and his own ASPCA had 15
comply with EPA regulations. The EPA also administers an

act called the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act, but veterinary practices are exempt from most of its
regulations. For more information about the EPA and its
relation to the veterinary field, check its Web site at
http://www.epa.gov/.
State Departments of Health

Most state departments of health require a veterinary prac-
tice to register its X-ray machines. The regulations apply to
stationary, portable, and dental X-ray machines. Health regu-
lations usually require a veterinary practice to inspect and
calibrate its equipment periodically.
Additional State and Local Regulations

Most state and local governments have specific requirements
for business licenses. People seeking to operate a business
must usually obtain a general business license from the
county clerk’s office. State laws usually also require the
veterinary practice to obtain a permit from the Department
of Business and Professional Regulation.

Congratulations! You’ve completed your introduction to
the legal requirements that apply to the veterinary field in
general. You’re ready to explore the many different types of
veterinary practices, but first take a moment to check your
understanding with the review questions.

Self-Check 2
1. The _______ Administration enforces regulations to protect workers from
workplace hazards.
2. The veterinary practice act is a set of laws written by

a. state legislators.
b. the State Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
c. the Veterinary Medical Board.
d. the Department of Labor.
3. The _______ Act governs the sale, manufacture, and distribution of potentially
dangerous drugs.
Match the department, agency, or act to the area of veterinary practice it regulates.
_____ 4. State department of health a. Laboratory animals

_____ 5. Environmental Protection Agency b. X-ray machines
_____ 6. Animal Welfare Act c. Pesticides
7. Veterinarians who dispense or prescribe narcotic drugs are licensed by the

a. Food and Drug Administration.
b. Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
c. Drug Enforcement Administration.
d. Environmental Protection Agency.

TYPES OF VETERINARY
PRACTICES
When you think of the many different kinds of animals, the
many roles they play in our lives, and the countless places
they turn up, it stands to reason that there are many different
types of veterinary practices. Whatever the practice, it begins
with the veterinarian.
Overview
Veterinarians are medical doctors that have the ultimate
responsibility for an animal’s life. A veterinarian may work
exclusively with one species, with a variety of species, or just
in one specific area in the veterinary medical field. Many vet-
erinarians own veterinary hospitals. Veterinarians also work
for biomedical research companies, governmental agencies,
educational institutions, race tracks, pet food companies,
pharmaceutical companies, animal shelters, and other types
of facilities. Regardless of where they work, veterinarians
usually have several specially trained staff members to help
them in their work. The staff members must work as a team
to achieve their goals of providing the best possible care to
their patients. Each team member is responsible for a specific
aspect of the patient’s care.
Small-Animal Private
Veterinary Practices
Most veterinary practices treat family pets, or companion
animals. We call such practices small-animal practices. The
term small-animal practice usually refers to a veterinary hos-
pital that treats dogs and cats (Figure 4). Some small-animal
practices, known as small-animal and companion practices,
also treat other small pets like guinea pigs, rabbits, birds,
and reptiles.
Veterinarians working with family pets typically employ a
large support staff, including several veterinary technicians,
assistants, kennel workers, receptionists, and an office
manager. The group evolves into a team when they’re

FIGURE 4—A veterinary hospital
that treats small animals is
often called a small-animal
practice.
working toward a common goal. In small-animal practices, Veterinarians, physi-

the goal is to provide the best care and services for the client cians, and dentists all
practice. Practice refers
and patient. On a veterinary health care team that uses to the exercise of their
everyone’s talents to the best advantage, each team member profession; a more
has a special function, and is vital to the practice’s smooth appropriate term might
be participate in their
operation. Team members communicate openly and express
trade, or perform duties
new ideas freely. The team encourages its members to sup- that require their spe-
port each other and to help in solving problems. When con- cialized skills. The
flicts do occur, the team resolves them quickly and fairly. place where veterinari-
ans work is also called
The ultimate goal of the veterinary team in small-animal their practice.
practice is to provide the services that help family pets live
long and healthy lives (Figure 5). More and more pet owners
recognize the need for preventive health care for themselves
and for their pets. Preventive health care includes regular
physical examinations and vaccinations against common
diseases. A physical examination performed at least once a
year helps to identify any potential problems that a pet may
be developing. This yearly exam allows the veterinarian to
provide treatment that may keep a disease or condition from
getting worse.
The focus on thorough preventive health care for pets has
increased the need for professional support staff. This need
has also improved both professional status and income for
the veterinarian and the support staff. The veterinary prac-
tice functions as a small business, much the same as the
local supermarket or flower shop. Because the veterinary

FIGURE 5—The veteri-
nary team’s goal is to
help pets live long
and healthy lives.
support staff often has more contact with the pet owner than
the veterinarian does, these staff members can greatly affect
the practice’s operation and its financial health. A primary
reason that a client chooses a particular veterinary hospital
is the caring attitude of its staff. A staff that treats clients
with the attitude that they deserve exceptional service and
special attention greatly improves the practice’s financial
health. Clients tend not to return to a practice whose staff
seems indifferent to customer concerns.
Veterinary technicians and assistants often greatly influence a
client’s consent to have services or diagnostic tests performed
on their pets. The veterinary technician and veterinary assis-
tant may be responsible for giving the client an overview of the
pet’s health care needs, in language that the client can easily
understand. The veterinary technician and assistant must
make sure that all the client’s questions receive complete and
correct answers.
The small-animal practice may have one or several veterinari-
ans. The number of support staff and their roles on the
veterinary health care team depend upon the number of
veterinarians in the practice. Generally, a smaller practice
employs fewer supporting staff members, and each member
fulfills multiple roles. For example, a veterinary technician
in a practice with one veterinarian may also act as the
receptionist. Larger practices usually employ support staff to
work in just one aspect of patient care. A veterinary technician

in a practice with a large number of veterinarians may work
only in the hospital ward, helping to treat hospitalized
animals. The amount of client contact staff members have also
depends upon the size of the practice.
Most veterinary technicians and assistants work for private
small-animal practices. The average small-animal private
practice employs two veterinarians, three veterinary techni-
cians, and three assistants.
Some veterinarians working with small animals may operate
from a mobile clinic. The veterinarian usually offers the same
services as a traditional small-animal clinic. The mobile vet-
erinary practitioner usually travels directly to the client’s
home to treat the pet. Mobile pet clinics are often converted
recreational-type vehicles. To ensure that clients of a mobile
clinic have access to all necessary services, veterinary prac-
tice acts usually require the mobile veterinary practitioner to
have an agreement with a local small-animal clinic. Mobile
veterinary practitioners often employ a veterinary technician
or assistant to accompany them on house calls.
Small-animal hospitals may also be part of larger corporations.
Some large pet supply retailers operate veterinary clinics in
their stores. These practices greatly resemble larger veteri-
nary clinics. Veterinary support staff members in a corporate
practice usually work in one specific area rather than playing
multiple roles.
Veterinary Referral Practice

Some veterinarians choose to specialize in one aspect of
an animal’s care. Specialty areas include ophthalmology,
oncology, internal medicine, equine medicine, and emergency
medicine. Most veterinary specialists have taken special
courses and passed examinations administered by a group
of veterinarians called a specialty board. The qualifying vet-
erinarian becomes a board-certified specialist in that specific
area. Specialty veterinarians may have their own clinic, or
may practice with groups of other specialists. Small-animal
practitioners usually refer an animal needing specialized or
advanced care to a board-certified specialist.

Large-Animal Practice
Veterinarians who work exclusively with farm animals are
called large-animal practitioners. Many of these veterinarians
provide mobile veterinary services and don’t have clinics
(Figure 6). The large-animal veterinarian may limit practice
to one species, such as horses, or may treat any farm
animal. The large-animal practitioner works closely with sta-
ble managers and managers of large herds of animals. Much
of the large-animal veterinarian’s focus is disease prevention
in these large herds. The large-animal veterinarian also
develops programs to help herd managers increase milk or
meat production. A large-animal veterinarian working from a
mobile practice may employ a veterinary technician, or may
receive help from herd or stable managers.
FIGURE 6—Large-animal
practitioners often use
mobile clinics. (Photograph
by Cappy Jackson)
The term mixed-animal practice refers to a veterinary clinic

that treats both large animals and companion animals.
These practices are similar to small-animal hospitals. A
mixed-animal practice often combines a mobile practice with
hospital design modifications that allow in-house treatment
of some large animal species.

Voluntary Professional Accreditation
Some veterinary hospitals and biomedical research facilities
voluntarily comply with operational guidelines more stringent
than the law requires. These companion animal hospitals
and research facilities commit to providing the best animal
care available. Complying with these additional guidelines
represents a great investment of time and money.
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredits
companion animal hospitals. The AAHA accreditation guide-
lines require the veterinary practice to have top-quality
equipment and highly trained staff. The AAHA performs
regular inspections of accredited veterinary hospitals. The
inspector examines every aspect of the hospital’s policies
and procedures, scrutinizes its records, and evaluates its
staffs qualifications. A veterinary practice meeting the strict
AAHA accreditation guidelines has been subjected to a
detailed assessment and complies with veterinary medicine’s
highest standards.
Biomedical research facilities may choose to follow
the requirements of the Association for Assessment and
Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC). Like
the AAHA, the AAALAC exhaustively evaluates all operational
aspects of the biomedical research facility.
If you’re like most people, you’re probably surprised at the
breadth and depth of the veterinary field. Before moving
on to explore the roles veterinary team members play,
check your knowledge of veterinary practice types with the
review questions.

Self-Check 3
1. The term mixed-animal practice refers to a veterinary clinic that treats
a. both exotic animals and farm animals.
b. animals of mixed breed.
c. both exotic animals and companion animals.
d. both large animals and companion animals.
2. The agency that offers voluntary accreditation to companion animal hospitals is the
a. American Animal Hospital Association.
b. Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care.
c. Specialty Certification Board.
d. There isn’t one; all accreditation is required by law.
3. True or False? The primary goal of the veterinary health care team is to treat the
greatest number of animals possible.
4. Most veterinary assistants are employed by

a. mixed-animal practices. c. private small-animal practices.
b. mobile veterinary clinics. d. pharmaceutical companies.

THE VETERINARY
HEALTH CARE TEAM
Now that you know the many different kinds of veterinary
practices there are, let’s take a closer look at some of the
roles you might play on a veterinary health care team, and
the roles of others with whom you’ll work.
Delegation of Tasks in
Veterinary Hospitals
A great variety of tasks must be accomplished in a veterinary
hospital. Some animals may need routine checkups and
vaccinations; others may require surgery or treatment for
serious illness. Sick animals may need many different diag-
nostic procedures and medical treatments; such tasks are
often time-consuming. Most small-animal practices delegate
tasks. The types of tasks delegated depend on the legal
requirements, the education, and the skill level of the various
team members. Delegation frees the veterinarian to see more
patients instead of performing all the routine tasks associated
with diagnosing, prescribing, and surgery. The veterinarian,
as the leader of the veterinary health care team, delegates
tasks to the staff member whose skills and education best
match the job. In some cases, the state veterinary practice
act specifies which staff members can perform certain
procedures. Otherwise, the veterinarian can delegate to any
staff member. While task delegation usually means that one
or two staffers assume responsibility for a specific task, all
team members help each other as the need arises.
Some tasks can’t be delegated. The veterinarian must do
anything that requires a veterinary medical degree or a
state veterinary license, which includes all diagnosing of ani-
mal disease. Staff members assist the veterinarian by compil-
ing the information the veterinarian needs to make the
diagnosis. Only the veterinarian makes the actual diagnosis.
In addition, only licensed veterinarians may prescribe med-
ications and perform surgery. The veterinary staff may assist
by filling prescriptions, administering some medications,

or preparing animals for surgery. The veterinarian carefully
selects the person whose skills are best matched to the task
at hand.
Veterinary Technician (VT)

Graduates of AVMA-accredited programs in veterinary tech-
nology are called veterinary technicians. Veterinary techni-
cians are prohibited from diagnosing disease, prescribing
medicine, and performing surgery. The veterinary technician
always works under the direct supervision of the veterinarian.
Currently, there are over 100 AVMA-accredited programs in
the United States. Most of the programs require two years of
college courses, although a few are three- or four-year
programs. All of them require, as part of the training, some
time on the job with a veterinarian. After completing general
courses in science, English, math, anatomy, physiology, and
chemistry, the veterinary technician student receives special-
ized training in the skills needed to provide technical assis-
tance to the veterinarian. The veterinary technician student
must complete over 300 specific skills before graduation.
These include performing skills related to anesthesia, surgical
assisting, pharmacology, veterinary nursing, laboratory
techniques, radiology, dentistry, and much more. The veteri-
nary technician student learns detailed care and handling of
many large and small animals, including horses, cows, dogs,
cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, and birds.
Upon completing college coursework, the graduate veterinary
technician must take and pass the national examination
for veterinary technicians to become certified, licensed, or
registered in a particular state. Most graduate veterinary
technicians are working in pet practices.
The specific duties of the veterinary technician depend upon
the size and type of practice, as well as the laws of the state.
A pet practice that employs only one or two veterinarians
may require that the veterinary technician also perform
receptionist and management tasks. In larger pet practices,
veterinary technicians usually help to perform physical
examinations on patients, prepare animals and equipment
for surgery, and take radiographs. They may also clean and

polish teeth, collect blood samples, perform laboratory
tests, anesthetize animals, and perform prescribed medical
treatments. The veterinary technician is usually responsible
for educating clients and supervising other staff members.
Providing nutritional information and animal-training advice
to clients is an important part of the technician’s work. In a
small-animal practice, clients often develop a comfortable,
close relationship with the veterinary technician. The
technician plays a vital role in identifying client needs and
ensuring that the client receives the desired services.
Veterinary Technician Specialist

Although the training a veterinary technician receives in col-
lege makes him or her eligible for many jobs in many areas,
some graduates of college veterinary technician programs
decide to specialize. Most specialty areas require some
additional postgraduate training in the form of seminars,
other short-term programs, or on-the-job work with a veteri-
narian who is a specialist. Groups of individuals that have
an interest in a particular area of veterinary medicine are
designated as societies. Groups of veterinary professionals
that achieve specialty status are designated as an academy.

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in
America (NAVTA) provides a process to allow veterinary tech-
nician societies to develop credentialing exams and guide-
lines for their members.
Current recognized specialty academies include
• Academy of Veterinary Emergency Critical Care
Technicians (AVECCT)
• Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists (AVTA)
• Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians (AVDT)
• Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians
Veterinary technician societies that haven’t yet achieved

academy status include
• Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians
• The American Association of Equine

Veterinary Technicians
Veterinary Assistant (VA)

The veterinary assistant (VA) is an individual who received
training on the job or through a vocational program. Formal
training programs for veterinary assistants are available at
community colleges, vocational high schools, and through
distance-education programs. The veterinary assistant works
under the direct supervision of the veterinarian or veterinary
technician. Veterinary assistants are trained to perform
tasks that don’t require the extensive training of a veterinary
technician program. Most veterinary assistants work in pet
practices assisting the veterinary technician with advanced
technical procedures. Veterinary assistants may help to
restrain animals for examinations, radiographs, injections,
or other technical procedures (Figure 7). The restraint meth-
ods vary by procedure and animal; the veterinary assistant
must be able to modify the restraint technique for each tech-
nical procedure. This technique requires a basic knowledge of
animal behavior so that the assistant can recognize any signs
of aggression in the patient. Proper animal restraint some-
times requires such mechanical devices as restraint poles,

bags, and muzzles. The veterinary assistant
must be able to place and remove these
devices safely and effectively.
Veterinary assistants often help to maintain
equipment and supplies. Surgical equip-
ment, grooming supplies, and laboratory
equipment must all be kept clean and in
good repair. The veterinary assistant may be
responsible for cleaning and sterilizing
instruments used for surgery.
Veterinary technicians involved in taking
radiographs usually require the aid of a vet-
erinary assistant. The assistant helps to
position the animal on the X-ray table, and
often develops the X-ray film and maintains
the darkroom supplies.
Many veterinary assistants maintain the
hospital’s pharmacy area (Figure 8). This
area is where medications are stored before
they’re used or dispensed to the client. Most FIGURE 7—This veterinary assistant
prescriptions dispensed to clients for their restrains a dog for jugular venipuncture.
pets must be counted or measured by the
veterinary assistant. The assistant is also responsible for
packaging and labeling the prescription.
FIGURE 8—Many veteri-

nary assistants help
maintain the animal
hospital’s pharmacy.

Some veterinary assistants work the practice’s front desk and
reception area. In the reception area, the veterinary assistant
answers telephones, schedules appointments, handles corre-
spondence, and prepares laboratory samples for testing. The
veterinary assistant must be able to recognize emergencies
and be prepared to answer questions from prospective clients.
Good communication skills are especially important when
working the reception area, since clients with complaints or
other concerns can be challenging. Veterinary assistants may
also prepare and mail routine postal matter like reminder
cards to clients, business letters, and packages.
Kennel Aide
Most kennel aides are trained on the job to assist in the
operation of boarding kennels or veterinary hospital kennels
(Figure 9). There are a few training programs available for
kennel aides. The American Boarding Kennel Association
offers programs to help train kennel aides. Some veterinary
hospitals also provide boarding services for their clients. The
kennel aide is responsible for keeping the kennel area clean
and well stocked (Figure 10). The kennel aide must be familiar
with animal handling and have a basic knowledge of animal
behavior. Many kennel aides help the veterinary staff to
observe hospitalized patients.
FIGURE 9—Kennel Aide
at Boarding Area
Receptionist Desk

FIGURE 10—Kennel’s
Supply Area
Veterinary Receptionist
In some practices, the veterinary technician or veterinary
assistant may also perform the duties of the veterinary
receptionist. There are some specific training programs avail-
able for veterinary receptionists; they may also be trained on
the job. The duties of the veterinary receptionist include
answering the telephone, scheduling appointments, greeting
clients, filing patient records (Figure 11), and collecting and
FIGURE 11—The veteri-
nary receptionist is
often responsible for
filing records.

recording payments. The receptionist is usually the first
person the client interacts with at the practice. Since this
first impression greatly affects the client’s overall impression
of the practice, one of the veterinary receptionist’s goals is to
make clients feel welcome. The veterinary receptionist must
be a friendly and cheerful person, and must have good orga-
nizational skills to handle the job’s wide variety of tasks.
Veterinary Practice Manager (VPM)

The veterinary practice manager (VPM) is responsible for
all business aspects of the practice (Figure 12). In a small
veterinary practice, the veterinarian may also act as the
practice manager. Larger veterinary practices usually have a
veterinary practice manager. The veterinary practice manager
may be a veterinary technician who has completed additional
specialized training in small business management. The
Veterinary Hospital Managers Association offers a national
examination for certification of veterinary practice managers.
One of the veterinary practice manager’s responsibilities is
hiring. The veterinary practice manager places advertisements
for position openings, interviews
applicants, and makes certain
hiring decisions. The veterinary
practice manager also oversees
inventory maintenance; ordering
supplies is an important veteri-
nary practice manager function.
An adequate amount of drugs
and supplies must be available
to treat patients, but too much
inventory will decrease profits.
The veterinary practice manager
must be able to determine what
amount of inventory is best for
the practice.
Veterinary practice managers
also maintain the practice’s
accounting records, pay bills,
FIGURE 12—Veterinary Practice Manager

and manage the employee payroll. In addition, the veterinary
practice manager handles many of the legal requirements for
records and reports to governmental agencies.
So there you have it: the veterinary health care team. Now
we’re ready to take a closer look at the environment this
team calls home. But first take a moment to complete the
review questions.

Self-Check 4
1. One of the tasks a veterinarian may delegate to a support staff member is
a. declawing a cat. c. deciding on a worm medication.
b. diagnosing heartworm disease. d. dispensing medication to a client.
2. True or False? Both veterinarians and veterinary technician specialists can
prescribe medicines.
3. Veterinary assistants work under the direct supervision of

a. a senior veterinary assistant.
b. the veterinarian or the veterinary technician.
c. the veterinary practice manager.
d. the owner of the veterinary practice.
Match the role to the veterinary team member most likely to perform it.
_____ 4. Ordering supplies a. Veterinary assistant

_____ 5. Initial client contact b. Veterinary technician
_____ 6. Preparing surgical equipment c. Veterinary practice manager
_____ 7. Restraining an animal d. Veterinary receptionist

VETERINARY PRACTICE DESIGN
All veterinary staff must have a basic understanding of what
takes place in each area of the veterinary hospital. Now that
you know who’s who among the veterinary care team, let’s
take a walk around the veterinary practice to see what goes
on where.
Areas of the Veterinary Practice

Some areas of the veterinary practice are for treating outpa-
tients (Figure 13). Outpatients are animals that don’t require
a hospital stay. Outpatient visits include such things as rou-
tine vaccinations, removal of sutures, and annual physical
examinations. Other practice areas are devoted to inpatient
care and treatment. Inpatients are animals whose condition
requires a hospital stay, either for the day, or overnight.
Typical inpatient visits include procedures such as dentistry
and surgery. Clients don’t usually have access to inpatient
areas, although they do see and enter outpatient areas during
their visit.
A small-animal veterinary practice is a service business. Its
goal is to take care of the patients; its client is the pet owner.
How well the staff takes care of the client has a big impact
on the practice’s success; client care begins with the practice
design. Areas that clients visit are arranged and decorated
for maximum client
comfort. Regardless of
how attractive and
well arranged the
client area is, it must
be kept as clean and
odor-free as possible.
FIGURE 13—Outpatient Area

Reception Area
The reception area, where clients are first greeted when they
enter a practice, is the coordination center. Multiple activities
take place here at all times: greeting clients, coordinating
patient visits with surgical schedules, and taking payments.
Here the receptionist greets the client, answers the telephone,
and retrieves and files medical records. Here you may also
find displays of pet products the practice offers, and a client
education display with informational brochures and video
programs. The reception area should be well lit, comfortable,
and cheerful, and often includes such amenities as indoor
plants, bright paintings, and aquariums (Figure 14). Typically,
the veterinary assistant or receptionist maintains the
reception area.
FIGURE 14—Reception
Area
Examination Room
Once the receptionist greets the clients and retrieves their
records, a veterinary staff member escorts the client and
patient into the examination room (Figure 15), where they
typically meet the veterinary assistant and technician. The
veterinary technician and veterinary assistant take and
record the animal’s temperature, pulse, and respiratory rate.
Depending on the reason for the animal’s visit, the veteri-
nary assistant may restrain the animal while the veterinary
technician collects blood samples or completes other tests.
The veterinary technician may also complete a physical
examination with assistance from the veterinary assistant.

The veterinarian then enters the examination room, greets
the client and patient, and either completes the visit or
admits the patient to the hospital.
FIGURE 15—Examination Room (Photograph

courtesy of Dr. Paws, Scranton, PA)
Surgical Suite
The surgical suite holds the surgical table, surgical and
anesthetic supplies, and equipment (Figure 16). The typical
surgical suite is at least three rooms. In most veterinary
clinics, clients don’t enter these rooms; they’re only for
inpatients. One room is reserved for preparing animals prior
to surgery. Here the patient’s hair is clipped and its skin
scrubbed. Surgical instruments and equipment are often
prepared here as well. The second room holds the operating
table and is used only for surgical procedures. To give dust
and debris fewer places to collect, this room ideally has a
minimum of cabinets and countertops. The majority of the
equipment and supplies in the operating room must be
kept sterile. The third room is used for monitoring the ani-
mal during its recovery from the anesthesia and surgery.
Much of the veterinary technician’s work takes place in the

FIGURE 16—Surgical
Suite
surgical suite. The veterinary assistant prepares the patient

for surgery, cleans and sterilizes the surgical instruments,
and assists the technician in observing the patient during
the surgery and recovery periods.
Treatment Area
The treatment area is often at the center of the practice
(Figure 17). Here hospital ward inpatients receive medication
or diagnostic procedures. Outpatients may also be brought
to the treatment area for such technical procedures as band-
age changes. Clients sometimes accompany their pets to this
area. A veterinary technician usually supervises the treatment
area. A veterinary assistant may restrain animals for the
technician or help to prepare the supplies and equipment
necessary for treatment.
Grooming Area
Some veterinary practices offer grooming services and have
a separate room reserved for grooming (Figure 18). Here you
find one or more large bathing tubs, which can be mechani-
cally elevated to spare the groomer’s back and help keep the
animal in the tub. The grooming room also has several cages
to hold various sizes of animals, and often a storage area for
bathing and grooming equipment.

FIGURE 17—Treatment
Area
All veterinary practices have at least a small grooming area.

Some hospitalized animals need bathing following extensive
illness or as part of their treatment. You’ll find the bathing
tubs in a corner of either the treatment room or the hospital
ward. Whatever the grooming area’s size and location, the
veterinary technician usually manages the operation. The
veterinary technician often bathes the patients and main-
tains the supplies and equipment in this area.
FIGURE 18—Grooming Area
Hospital Ward
The hospital ward is the confinement area for pre- and post-
surgical inpatients, and for those awaiting, undergoing, or
recovering from medical treatments. The hospital ward may
be a single room with many different-size cages, or a suite

with separate rooms for each species (Figure 19). A veterinary
assistant is often responsible for keeping this area clean and
for helping the veterinary technician to observe hospitalized
patients. A clean hospital environment reduces the possibility
that hospitalized patients will spread their diseases.
FIGURE 19—Cat
Hospital Ward
Isolation Area
The isolation area consists of a few small, medium, and large
animal cages. These cages isolate inpatients that may be
infected with easily transmitted diseases. Animals with
symptoms of such infection are kept separate from any other
animals that may be in the hospital ward. The isolation area
is stocked with basic medical equipment and supplies that
remain within the area. A disinfectant footbath located at the
entrance/exit of the isolation area helps prevent contamina-
tion to other areas of the practice. Good housekeeping is
especially important in the isolation area.
X-Ray Room
The X-ray area is often located next to the surgical suite
(Figure 20). The machine used to generate X-rays creates an
image on the X-ray film. This film is called the radiograph.
In addition to the X-ray machine, the X-ray room holds equip-
ment necessary for the staff to protect themselves from the

hazards of radiation exposure. This equipment includes lead
aprons, gloves, collars, and lead eyeglasses. The veterinary
assistant often helps to restrain and position the patient
during the radiographic exposure. Anyone who enters this
room must understand the hazards associated with the use
of an X-ray machine. All members of the veterinary staff
must know the proper techniques of exposing radiographs
and the correct use and care of protective equipment. This
equipment must also be examined regularly to ensure that
it’s in the best condition.
FIGURE 20—X-Ray
Room
Darkroom
The darkroom is used for developing the X-ray film. A dark-
room is generally a small room arranged for easy access to
equipment from its center. Most darkrooms have automatic
processing equipment. The film is inserted into the automatic
processor, which develops and dries it in a few minutes.
Veterinary practices without automatic processors must
develop their X-rays manually. Manual X-ray processing
requires slightly more time and a greater knowledge of the
developing process. The X-ray film goes through a series of
tanks holding X-ray processing chemicals. The chemicals
can be hazardous, and manual processing requires greater
care than its automatic counterpart. The veterinary techni-
cian responsible for developing X-rays must understand
such hazards.

Laboratory Area
The laboratory area is for clinical diagnostic procedures
(Figure 21). The laboratory area may be a separate room or
part of the treatment area. The basic laboratory includes a
microscope and specialized equipment for analyzing blood
samples. More elaborately equipped laboratories may have
several types of analyzers to help the veterinarian identify
any disease in a patient.
The veterinary technician usually collects blood, serum, and
urine samples, often with the help of veterinary assistants.
The technician then processes and tests the samples, and
notes the results on the patient’s record.
FIGURE 21—Laboratory
Area
Employee Lounge
The veterinary practice should have an area for employees
to eat lunch and take breaks. Food and drink aren’t permit-
ted in the working areas of the practice. The lounge usually
has a refrigerator for staff use. This refrigerator mustn’t be
used to store any medications or other chemicals used in
the practice.

Pharmacy
Medications and their related supplies are stored in the
pharmacy area (Figure 22). The veterinary technician is often
responsible for maintaining the inventory in this area and
for assuring that medications are used in the order they’re
received. Some pharmacies also have small refrigerators for
storage of certain medications, such as vaccines. The veteri-
nary technician must have a general knowledge of the names
and types of medications used in the practice. Veterinary
technicians or assistants are responsible for counting out
pills or measuring medications that are going to be dispensed
for clients to administer to their pets at home. These dis-
pensed medications must be prepared and labeled correctly.
FIGURE 22—Pharmacy
Area (Photograph courtesy of
Dr. Paws, Scranton, PA)
Staff Offices and Library

The number of staff offices in a practice varies. Usually, each
veterinarian will have an office suitable both for work and for
client consultations (Figure 23). The office manager frequently
has a private office. Many veterinary practices have confer-
ence areas that can be used for staff meetings. The practice
may have an area within one of the offices or a separate room
devoted to a library. The library holds numerous reference
textbooks and journals for the staff to use. The library is

designed to provide thorough and current information on a
variety of topics. There may be an entire section of the library
that’s devoted, for example, to information about new med-
ications. The veterinary technician should feel free to access
library information. Veterinary practices encourage all staff
to learn as much as they can about all areas of the practice.
FIGURE 23—
Veterinarian’s Office
Storage Areas
The small-animal practice usually has several small storage
areas. Except for the examination and operating rooms, each
area within the practice includes a small storage cabinet for
items used in that area. Items that require more space give
rise to larger storage areas. Practices that sell pet food will
generally have a large storage area. Other items, such as flea
and tick products, also require significant storage space. The
veterinary technician is often responsible for maintaining this
area and for rotating the stock (placing new shipments in the
back of the storage area so that older items are sold first).
Stock rotation maximizes the possibility that items will be
sold before their expiration dates. The veterinary technician
also keeps this area clean and free of pests, such as mice
and insects.
This concludes your guided tour of a veterinary practice.
Before we move on to explore other opportunities in the
animal care field, check your knowledge with a few
review questions.

Self-Check 5
1. The _______ is the veterinary practice’s coordination center.
2. Which of the following is not a part of good client care?

a. A clean, attractive, well-arranged reception area
b. Caring and professional veterinary staff
c. A place for clients to stand and reassure their pets during surgical operations
d. Reminders of upcoming examinations and vaccinations
3. True or False? All veterinary practices include a grooming area.
Match the veterinary practice area to the function.

_____ 4. Isolation area a. Confinement of inpatients
_____ 5. Treatment area b. Quarantine of patients that may have easily
_____ 6. Laboratory area transmitted infections
_____ 7. Hospital ward c. Clinical diagnostic procedures
d. Medication and diagnostic procedures,
bandage changes

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE
ANIMAL CARE FIELD
Your advancement opportunities in veterinary medicine depend
in part on your employment setting and current position.
Kennel aides, for instance, may be promoted to kennel
supervisor, assistant manager, and manager; some may
start their own boarding kennels. Animal care attendants in
pet shops may become store managers. Animal shelter aides
may become animal control officers. Veterinary technicians
can choose from any of these occupations, and many more.
The animal care field has an almost unlimited number of
jobs. Some jobs require additional education, while others
are open to anyone who can adapt to new situations. Let’s
look at some of these opportunities and their requirements.
Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT)

Biomedical research companies and educational institutions
may employ a laboratory animal technician (LAT). Some bio-
medical research and educational facilities have just a few
animals; some have thousands.
To ensure accurate research data, these institutions must keep
research animals healthy, and in the best possible environment.
Laboratory animal technicians oversee the daily care, feeding,
comfort, and observation of these research animals; they also
maintain the proper environmental conditions. Laboratory
animal technicians check the animals daily and notify the
researcher of any abnormal conditions that affect the animals.
Laboratory animal technicians, supervised by the veterinari-
an, may also perform such veterinary technical procedures as
collecting blood samples, taking radiographs, assisting in
surgery, and other advanced animal-nursing procedures.
Some large biomedical research facilities offer training programs
for laboratory animal technicians. Most facilities require
potential laboratory animal technicians to take a certifying
examination. The American Association for Laboratory
Animal Science (AALAS) offers the certification exam for
laboratory animal technicians. The AALAS requires
applicants to meet certain educational and experiential

requirements before taking the exam. Graduates of veterinary
technician programs must also have experience working
with laboratory animals to be eligible for the laboratory
animal technician certification exam.
Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician

(ALAT)
The assistant laboratory animal technician (ALAT) helps the
laboratory animal technician to care for research facility
animals. The assistant laboratory animal technician’s job is
usually to help keep the animals and their environment
clean and comfortable. The assistant laboratory animal tech-
nician may clean cages, observe animals, and check the
temperature and humidity in the animal rooms. Most large
research facilities, and some vocational schools, offer assis-
tant laboratory animal technician training programs. The
AALAS offers the certification examination for assistant labora-
tory animal technicians. Since many assistant laboratory
animal technician duties are similar to those performed by
the veterinary assistants, individuals completing veterinary
assistant training programs may also be eligible for certifica-
tion as assistant laboratory animal technicians after complet-
ing additional species-specific studies.
Pet Shop Attendant

Animal care attendants in pet shops are responsible for feeding
the animals and cleaning their cages. They may also bathe
and groom animals. Animal care attendants must check each
animal in their care every day for signs that could indicate
illness. This preventative attention allows sick animals to be
treated before the illness spreads throughout the shop. The
pet shop attendant may also instruct new pet owners about
proper pet care. Pet shop attendants may be trained on the
job, or may have completed a program in veterinary assisting.

Pet Sitter
Some veterinary technicians operate successful pet-sitting
businesses. No formal education is required to own or operate
a pet-sitting business, but programs in veterinary technology
help both the business owner and prospective clients. Business
management courses also help the owner to handle the
administrative aspects of the business. Pet sitters care for ani-
mals while their owners are away. The pet sitter must check
the pet for any signs of illness that may require veterinary
attention. Some pet sitters provide extra services to vacation-
ing pet owners, such as taking in the mail and watering the
houseplants.
Salesperson
Companies whose product line targets veterinary professionals
or pet owners often hire veterinary technicians as salesper-
sons. Their background and training gives the veterinary
professional a unique perspective on the company’s target
customers. Many veterinary technicians have become success-
ful salespersons. Pet food companies, drug manufacturers,
veterinary supply distributors, electric fence companies, and
laboratory equipment manufacturers all hire veterinary tech-
nicians for sales. Pet food companies often hire veterinary
technicians to present nutritional information and free
samples to pet shop customers.
Dog Trainer
Persons with a background in animal behavior may find work
as a dog trainer (Figure 24). The trainer may own and oper-
ate a dog obedience school, or may be employed as a trainer
in a larger dog-training facility. Some veterinary practices
have dog trainers on staff. These trainers have regular dog
obedience classes available for clients and the general public.
Most dog trainers have had years of experience training their
own dogs and working with other animal trainers. A few
facilities certify dog trainers. The trainer should attend semi-
nars and additional training programs offered by local, state,
and national kennel clubs and dog breed associations.

FIGURE 24—A dog may
be trained to be obedient
to its owner, or to per-
form tricks for dog
shows.
Animal Control Officer (ACO)

An animal control officer (ACO) works for the state or county
agencies responsible for stray animal control and the enforce-
ment of animal license and leash laws. The ACO patrols a
community and picks up stray and abandoned animals. The
animal control officer may also be required to investigate
charges of animal abuse or cruelty. Training programs for ani-
mal control officers usually take from a few weeks to a few
months to complete. These programs are offered by humane
societies and at some state-supported colleges.
Animal Shelter Aide

Animal shelter aides care for stray and abandoned animals
at animal shelters and humane societies. They keep the
cages and animals clean and provide daily feeding. The
animal shelter aide may give first aid to injured animals
and may be required to perform euthanasia on sick, injured,
or unwanted animals. Euthanasia is most commonly done
with an injection that causes a painless death. There are
specific legal and moral issues associated with euthanasia.
Some states require certification for animal shelter aides that
euthanize animals. An animal shelter aide may also provide
adoption information to the public and assist the new owners
in choosing a pet.

Zoo Animal Caretaker
Zoo animal caretakers are responsible for daily feeding and
observation of captive wild animals. They’re also involved in
cleaning the animal’s enclosure. Some caretakers develop
and present educational programs for the public. Most zoo
animal caretakers have four-year college degrees in zoology
or biology. The zoo animal caretaker, or zookeeper, often
works with only one or two species. The caretaker must have
detailed knowledge of the nutritional and environmental
needs for the species he or she works with. Many species of
zoo animals are very sensitive to alterations in diet or living
conditions. Zoo animals often don’t show obvious signs of
disease. The zookeeper must be alert for the slightest indica-
tions of illness or stress in the animals.
Wildlife Rehabilitator
Wildlife rehabilitators care for injured and orphaned wild
animals (Figure 25). Most states require rehabilitators to be
licensed. Keeping a wild animal without a wildlife rehabilita-
tor license is illegal in most states. The rehabilitator works
closely with a veterinarian, who can prescribe any necessary
treatments for injured or sick wild animals. The goal of the
wildlife rehabilitator is to return the animal to its natural
environment. The rehabilitator will keep the animal until it
has regained its health, then release the animal back into
FIGURE 25—You may wish to become a wildlife rehabilitator.

its habitat. Orphaned animals may require more extensive
treatment and care. In some cases, the orphaned animal will
have to be taught how to catch its own food. This task can
be an especially challenging one for the rehabilitator.
The Right Field for You

Wherever there are animals—domestic or wild, large or
small—there are job opportunities. The animals need to be
fed, housed, trained, and cared for, as well as provided with
medical care when needed. However, you may not be quite
sure where you fit in among the many career opportunities.
Sometimes, analyzing your personal qualities can help you
determine how you can best use your abilities and personality
in the animal field.
Take a moment to look at the self-analysis quiz on page 63
of this study unit. Its purpose is twofold:
1. To help you determine which personal qualities will

aid you in achieving success in the animal care field
2. To help you understand where, among the various
kinds of jobs available in the field, you fit in best
The animal field as a whole is rich in opportunity and offers
many rewards. It’s a field in which you can start working with
a little experience, yet enhance the prospect of increased
future income and responsibilities through additional study.
You’ll be secure in the knowledge that you can anticipate
opportunity for advancement as a result.
As you can see, the animal care field can take you almost
anywhere you want to go. Now that you’ve wandered out of
the veterinary practice, through shelters, obedience schools,
zoos, and into the wilderness, it’s time to review what you’ve
learned in this section.

Self-Check 6
1. Animal control officers are responsible for
a. picking up stray animals. c. treating injured wildlife.
b. euthanizing unwanted pets. d. maintaining animal shelters.
2. True or False? No formal education is required to own and operate a
pet-sitting business.
3. A _______ takes care of injured and orphaned wild animals with the goal of returning them
to the wild.
4. True or False? Illness in zoo animals is usually easy to spot.
5. Which of the following companies hire veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants for
their sales force?
a. Pet food companies c. Electric fence companies
b. Drug manufacturers d. All of the above

PROFESSIONALISM
“Profession” can refer to any employment, but the veterinary
field meets a more specific definition of the word: a vocation
or occupation that requires advanced education, training,
and intellectual skill. Professionalism is the conduct, aims, or
qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a profes-
sional person. To be characterized or marked as a veterinary
professional, you must know the standards that apply to
the profession. Many of the personal requirements that we
described at the beginning of this unit have to do with pro-
fessionalism, but it’s a topic that deserves its own section.
Now that you know the many opportunities the veterinary
care field offers, and the requirements, responsibilities, and
team roles of each, it’s time to look at some of the professional
issues that affect the veterinary care field.
Professional Presentation and Attitude

Let’s start with the most obvious part of any professional
position, appearance. Veterinary support staff members are
expected to present themselves in neat, clean, and appropri-
ate attire (Figure 26). Most veterinary hospital staff members
wear surgical scrub suits or laboratory jackets. This dress is
appropriate for animal medical duties, and reflects both your
position in the medical field and the high value of your
services. Your dress reflects your attitude toward the profes-
sion, but professional attitude goes beyond dress.
The enthusiasm professionals have for the work they do is
usually obvious to the clients, and one of the best ways to
display this enthusiasm is to stay abreast of the field’s con-
tinual changes and improvements. Veterinary professionals
have a lifelong commitment to learning and staying up-to-
date with new developments and trends. All professionals
have the ongoing desire to improve their knowledge and abil-
ities in the field. A command of this knowledge helps project
the confidence and competence vital to a professional attitude.
Along with this confidence, however, the veterinary profes-
sional must display empathy and understanding of a
client’s needs. Clients have very strong emotional bonds with

FIGURE 26—Be sure to
dress appropriately as
a veterinarian
professional.
their pets. Often the client has difficulty understanding why

a pet needs certain veterinary services. The veterinary pro-
fessional must be patient and sensitive when working with
clients.
Even when not working with clients, the veterinary professional
is sensitive to their concerns. Professionals consider all client
information to be confidential. Veterinary professionals should
never discuss patients or cases with individuals outside of
the veterinary practice. In some cases, release of confidential
information about a client or pet is illegal. When in doubt, it’s
best to assume that information is confidential.
In summary, a veterinary technician should always display the
following characteristics:
• Enthusiastic
• Proud
• Confident
• Competent
• Understanding
• Knowledgeable
• Patient

Professional Associations
A number of professional associations offer membership to
veterinary technicians. Becoming a member of a professional
association has several advantages. The association can keep
the veterinary professional informed on trends in the field.
Associations also offer a means of networking to help identify
job opportunities and solve problems. Some professional
associations are politically oriented, lobbying legislators
about laws that affect veterinary medical practice. Many
professional associations also provide continuing education
opportunities to their members.
Most states have associations of veterinary technicians. In
the United States and Canada, the National Association of
Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) represents the
interests of the veterinary technician. Active NAVTA members
are graduated veterinary technicians.
Veterinary technicians may join such specialty associations
as the Association of Veterinary Dental Technicians or the
Veterinary Laboratory Association. These and related groups
are designed for information exchange. They present seminars
for their members and keep members abreast of changes in
the field. Some of the veterinary technician specialty
associations are currently developing certification exams.
Membership in a professional association is one of the char-
acteristics of a professional. Being active in a professional
association provides many educational and career opportuni-
ties. But the most important aspect of professionalism goes
beyond one’s presentation, attitude, and associations.
In summary, the most prominent professional associations
in veterinary medicine are
• National Association of Veterinary Technicians
in America
• American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians
• Academy of Veterinary Emergency and

Critical Care Technicians
• American Veterinary Medical Association

• American Animal Hospital Association
• Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians
• Veterinary Technician Anesthetist Society
Professional Ethics
All professions abide by an ethical code, a set of standards
defining what’s good and bad for the profession. Professionals
are individuals who meet a profession’s requirements and
agree to uphold its ethical code.
The Principles of Veterinary Ethics is the official ethical code
for veterinarians. The code is written by members of the
American Veterinary Medical Association. The veterinary code
of ethics was first adopted in 1867 and has been modified
only a few times. Veterinarians also agree to be governed by
the general values of the Veterinarian’s Oath, which they take
as part of their graduation from veterinary school (Figure 27).
Veterinary technicians also take an oath upon completion of
their program (Figure 28). The code of ethics for the veteri-
nary technician was adopted in 1989 (Figure 29). Both the
Principles of Veterinary Ethics and the Code of Ethics for the
Veterinary Technician embody the general principles that
govern the practice of veterinary medicine. The codes
describe what the profession considers morally correct. They
describe appropriate professional behavior and attitudes. The
codes also delineate training requirements, continuing educa-
tion, and even the services a veterinary practice should offer.
Ethical codes are intentionally general on certain points. This
allows the members of a profession to use their own profes-
sional judgment in specific circumstances. Some professions
also adopt official policy statements. These statements differ
from the general ethical code guidelines. Policy statements
are designed to reflect changing trends and concerns. The
ethical code, for example, doesn’t prohibit a veterinarian from
declawing a cat, but a policy statement recommends declawing

VETERINARIAN’S OATH
Being admitted to the practice of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my
scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of
animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of livestock resources, the
promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.
I will practice my profession conscientiously with dignity, and in keeping with the
principles of veterinary medical ethics.
I accept as a lifelong obligation, the continual improvement of my professional
FIGURE 27—Veterinarian’s Oath
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN’S OATH

I solemnly dedicate myself to aiding animals and society by providing excellent care and
services for animals, by alleviating suffering, and by promoting public health.
I accept my obligation to practice my profession conscientiously and with sensitivity, adher-
ing to the profession’s Code of Ethics, and furthering my knowledge and competence
FIGURE 28—Veterinary Technician’s Oath (Used with permission. Copyrighted to NAVTA)
cats only under certain circumstances. In veterinary medi-

cine, policy statements issued by the American Veterinary
Medical Association represent the consensus of opinion on a
specific topic among veterinarians in this country.
Veterinarians and veterinary support staff members regularly
face ethical decisions. Such decisions often reflect the fact
that the veterinary profession serves both animals and peo-
ple. Often the choice that best serves the client may harm
the patient; similarly, what’s best for the patient may not be
what the client requests. Veterinary professionals face
concerns with euthanasia, animal welfare, animal rights,
and economic factors that affect the patient’s treatment.

Figure 29—Veterinary Technician Code of Ethics

Most veterinary professionals don’t object to euthanizing a
terminally ill patient, especially an animal in severe pain.
But since the laws of this country classify animals as an
individual’s personal property, euthanizing healthy animals
is legal. Pet owners often request euthanasia simply because
the pet has become a burden. Thousands of animals are put
to death each day because of behavioral problems that their
owners can’t or won’t correct. Animal breeders, trying to
ensure that what they consider an undesirable animal isn’t
allowed to breed, often request that an animal without
desired breed characteristics be euthanized. This leaves the
decision up to the veterinarian.
Although the law does permit it, some veterinarians may
refuse to euthanize healthy but unwanted animals. Refusal
to perform a legal service the client requests usually ensures
that the client won’t return. Dissatisfied clients invariably
share their dissatisfaction with friends. By not performing
legal euthanasia, the practice may lose several clients.
Veterinarians must weigh their ethical concerns against the
practice’s financial concerns. Veterinary support staff mem-
bers employed by a clinic that euthanizes healthy animals
face their own ethical concerns. Euthanasia usually requires
the assistance of a veterinary technician, and the veterinari-
an may terminate an employee who refuses to participate.
Support staff members should try to determine a veterinary
practice’s euthanasia policy before accepting a position there.
Many other client requests raise ethical concerns. Euthanizing
a healthy animal is but one example of services that are
legal but not always ethical. Animals used by their owners in
dog or cat shows may request surgery that’s legal, but med-
ically unnecessary. For example, an animal may be brought
to the practice to have its tail or ears surgically trimmed.
Some veterinarians refuse to perform such unnecessary
surgeries. In other cases, owners of show animals may
request that a veterinarian surgically correct what’s consid-
ered a breed defect in their animal. A breed defect is any
undesirable characteristic that may be genetically passed to
the next generation. Repairing a breed defect is often an
effort to hide the defect so that the animal can still be bred.
This type of corrective surgery is considered unethical unless
the animal is also spayed or neutered.

Veterinary staff members may also face animal welfare
concerns. There are laws that prohibit animal cruelty and
abuse, and a veterinary staff may encounter cases they feel
obliged to report for investigation. Some treatment they find
cruel or abusive, however, is legal. Pet owners are required
to provide food and water for their pets. They aren’t usually
required to provide routine medical care, and some owners
don’t. Pet owners may be required to confine their animals,
but they aren’t required to interact with their pets, and some
owners don’t. Veterinary professionals who consider an ani-
mal abused if it’s confined to a garage or yard with little
interaction from its owners may find these situations difficult
to confront.
Some veterinary professionals also face animal rights issues.
For many centuries people have used animals for food, cloth-
ing, transport, and entertainment, and today thousands of
regulations ensure that animals used by people receive proper
care. Animal research, since its beginnings, has benefited
both humans and animals. Nearly all available medical treat-
ments and drugs were developed with animal research.
Veterinary professionals working in research and food ani-
mal production (animals reared for food) must understand
the role of the animals in their care. These animals perform
a vital service to mankind. Often that service requires that
the animal be euthanized. Working with research and food
animals may be emotionally difficult.
Ethical concerns may surface in many other cases of veteri-
nary practice. To deal with these issues, members of the
veterinary health care team must communicate their con-
cerns clearly. Staff members should openly discuss ethical
code guidelines to develop official practice policy. The veteri-
nary staff must make an effort to formulate legal and fair
policies to all concerned.
The AVMA and most state and regional veterinary medical
associations have ethics committees. These committees
can hold formal hearings if someone files an ethical com-
plaint against a member. Complaints may be filed by a
member of the public, or by another veterinary professional.
The committees may discipline members who commit
ethical violations.
Congratulations! You’ve covered the vital topic of profession-

alism in the veterinary field, and you’ve also completed the
last section of this study unit. You’ve taken your first big
step toward a career in the field of veterinary medicine.
Once you’ve completed the review questions, you’re ready
to take your examination.

59
Self-Check 7
1. Which of the following reflects professionalism?
a. Neat, clean, appropriate attire
b. Staying abreast of knowledge in the professional’s field
c. Discretion with regard to client confidentiality
d. All of the above
2. The _______ is the official ethical code for veterinarians.
3. True or False? Animal research is unnecessary, cruel, and of no benefit to humanity.
4. Veterinary practices that refuse legal requests on ethical grounds are

a. sure to build a huge clientele of pet owners who respect the practice’s
ethical standards.
b. running the risk that the refused client will go elsewhere and convince
friends to do likewise.
c. the only practices that any veterinary assistant will work for.
d. All of the above.

Self-Check 1
1. False
2. c
Ans we r s
3. Lyon; 1761
4. False
Self-Check 2
1. Occupational Safety and Health
2. a
3. Controlled Substances
4. b
5. c
6. a
7. c
Self-Check 3
1. d
2. a
3. False
4. c
Self-Check 4
1. d
2. False
3. b
4. c
5. d
6. b
7. a
61
Self-Check 5
1. reception area
2. c
3. True
4. b
5. d
6. c
7. a
Self-Check 6
1. a
2. True
3. wildlife rehabilitator
4. False
5. d
Self-Check 7
1. d
2. Principles of Veterinary Ethics
3. False
4. b
62 Self-Check Answers
SELF-ANALYSIS QUIZ
Please answer the following questions Yes or No.
Yes No
1. Do animals usually come easily to you? ❒ ❒
2. Do you think you have a good imagination? ❒ ❒
3. Would you want a child of yours to work in the animal field? ❒ ❒
4. Does a barking dog get on your nerves? ❒ ❒
5. Do you believe cats are sneaky and untrustworthy? ❒ ❒
6. Do you get satisfaction from helping a person or animal

that’s hurt or injured? ❒ ❒
7. When a friend is ill or in the hospital, do you usually try to

visit more than once? ❒ ❒
8. Do you withhold judgment before making decisions so that

you can check the facts for yourself? ❒ ❒
9. If you noticed a gunnysack thrown into a lake with a live cat

in it, would you get wet to rescue the cat from drowning? ❒ ❒
10. Do you believe animals have no feelings? ❒ ❒
11. Are you willing to work long hours, if necessary? ❒ ❒
12. If you had to be alone all night in the mountains, would you
feel better with a dog for company? ❒ ❒
13. Do you think you have a sense of humor? ❒ ❒
14. Do you think you have patience? ❒ ❒
15. Would you help a blind person cross the street? ❒ ❒
16. Do you let a person with only one item go ahead of you at
the supermarket checkout? ❒ ❒
17. Do you believe that most pet owners make fools of themselves
over their pets? ❒ ❒
18. Does the sight of blood make you sick or dizzy? ❒ ❒
19. Do you like animals better than people? ❒ ❒
20. Are you unsuited to routine work in an office? ❒ ❒
Self-Analysis Quiz 63
ANSWERS TO SELF-ANALYSIS QUIZ
Questions 1 through 16 are designed to help you understand what qualities you should strive for to
achieve success in the animal care field. If you marked the wrong answers for some of these ques-
tions, think about ways to improve the particular character trait mentioned. You might, for example,
need to develop more patience or sympathy in your dealings with both animals and
people.
1. Yes. If animals come easily to you, you have the kind of personality that makes it easier to
deal with them successfully. People who go far in their work with animals have this type of
personality. (You can learn many of the tricks helpful in successful animal handling.)
2. Yes. A good imagination is very helpful when dealing with animals, particularly in training
them to do certain tasks. This is a fertile field for expressing your originality.
3. Yes. If you would be willing (or proud) to have your children grow up and choose a career in an
animal field, chances are you would be proud to work in the animal field yourself. One impor-
tant ingredient for success in any field is to feel that your job is meaningful and important.
4. No. If a moderate amount of barking irritates you, your place in the animal field may be in
one of the supporting careers. Dogs will bark, especially if several are confined together in a
kennel or animal shelter. If you can’t stand barking, direct contact with several such animals on a
daily basis isn’t for you.
5. No. Most animal experts agree that animals, including cats, have as many individual person-
alities as humans. Not trusting a cat is another way of saying you don’t like cats. Cats are
quick to sense this dislike, so choose a line of animal work where you’ll see little or nothing
of cats.
6. Yes. If you get a certain special feeling from helping, especially if it involves helping to heal
in some way, you’ll enjoy working in the animal medicine field.
7. Yes. Continued concern for the comfort of someone less fortunate is an indication of an
aptitude for nursing, animal or human. If you consistently try to do something nice for
someone who is ill, chances are you’ll also be inclined to do those little extras for a sick
animal patient. This makes a big difference in the rate of recovery, and your veterinarian
will notice your concern.
8. Yes. In medicine, both animal and human, we’re often misled by false information inadvertently
offered by those not qualified to judge. Extra caution is important in animal medicine. Your
veterinarian will grow to depend upon your ability to secure and report laboratory information
if you carefully check facts for yourself.
9. Yes. Humane officers are very frequently called on to expose themselves to discomfort and
even danger to save the life of some unfortunate animal. If you’re willing to do this, you may
be interested in starting a career as a humane officer.
(Continued)
64 Self-Analysis Quiz
10. No. If your answer to this question was Yes, perhaps you should choose a field that doesn’t
include animals.
11. Yes. If you’re willing to work long hours, you probably take pride in doing your job well, no matter
how long it might take. There are many instances in the animal care field where the time need-
ed can’t be foreseen. You have to be willing to put in extra time, if necessary, to do a job right.
12. Yes. A feeling of kinship and companionship with an animal, such as a dog, shows you appreci-
ate its worth and enjoy its companionship. If your answer was No, it doesn’t necessarily mean
you don’t like dogs, but a Yes answer indicates a little extra appreciation of dogs and their rela-
tionship with humans.
13. Yes. If you answered Yes, you’re more apt to get along well in the animal field. Sometimes a
sense of humor carries you through when nothing else will.
14. Yes. Animals and their owners require quite a bit of patience. If your answer was Yes, your
chances for success in the field are good.
15/16. Yes. These questions indicate your concern for the well being, comfort, and happiness of other
living beings. If your answer to both questions was Yes, you’re well fitted for tending and caring for
animals. If your answer was No, you would probably be better off elsewhere.
Questions 17 through 20 are designed to help you see where you fit into the animal care field, since
there are so many types of employment to choose from.
17. If your answer to this question was Yes, chances are you aren’t a pet owner; or if you are, you
have little sympathy for those who are very devoted to little Fido. If pet owners who are all
wrapped up in the charms and tricks of their particular pet irritate you, it would be better to
work in one of the animal career jobs where you won’t come in contact with pet owners and
offend them.
18. If the sight of blood makes you dizzy, you can work in fields other than the animal hospital, but it
doesn’t mean you can’t make it assisting in an animal hospital. No one is unaffected by the
sight of blood at first. With a little practice and exposure, combined with an understanding of
the surgical procedures used, you’ll probably become so fascinated that you’ll forget to be dizzy.
19. Many people enjoy the company of animals more than that of people. They’re particularly suc-
cessful in zoo work or situations where they spend much time alone with and caring for various
species. If you do like to be with people, you can work in a stable, kennel, or pet shop, for exam-
ple.
20. Routine, humdrum life is seldom the case in work with animals, and this may be the answer for
you. If you do like routine work, you can find it in the animal care field also. You might prefer
working as a bookkeeper for a veterinarian, for instance.
Self-Analysis Quiz 65
NOTES
66 Self-Analysis Quiz
Examination
Introduction to Animal Care
EXAMINATION NUMBER:
39600102
Whichever method you use in submitting your exam
answers to the school, you must use the number above.
For the quickest test results, go to

http://www.takeexamsonline.com
When you feel confident that you have mastered the material
in this study unit, go to http://www.takeexamsonline.com and sub-
mit your answers online. If you don’t have access to the Internet, you
can phone in or mail in your exam. Submit your answers for this
examination as soon as you complete it. Do not wait until
another examination is ready.
Questions 1–20: Select the one best answer to each question.
1. Veterinarians usually attend college and veterinary school for a

combined total of _______ years.
A. two C. eight
B. three to four D. twelve
2. Which of the following tasks is a veterinary technician qualified

to perform?
A. Maintenance of hospital accounting records
B. Hiring of personnel
C. Determination of medication dosages
D. Maintenance of equipment and supplies
67
3. Most small-animal private veterinary practices employ _______ veterinary assistant(s) for
each veterinary technician on staff.
A. one C. three
B. two D. four
4. A certified, licensed, or registered veterinary technician refers to an individual who

has completed
A. an approved course of study at a vocational high school.
B. an AVMA-accredited college program in veterinary technology and passed a
national examination.
C. on-the-job training to perform technical procedures in a veterinary clinic.
D. an animal handling and restraint course at a community college.
5. Veterinary medicine developed as a science because of concern about _______ diseases.

A. livestock C. pet animal
B. zoonotic D. transmission of
6. In the _______, an animal patient’s hair is clipped and its skin is scrubbed in preparation
for surgery.
A. grooming area C. hospital ward
B. treatment area D. surgical suite
7. Which of the following time periods accurately represents the training period of an animal
control officer?
A. A few weeks to a few months C. One to two years
B. A few months to one year D. Two or more years
8. The Animal Welfare Act regulates the care of all warm-blooded animals with the
exception of
A. ferrets. C. birds.
B. squirrels. D. mice.
9. In veterinary medicine, a policy statement issued by the AVMA represents a

A. code of ethics for a profession.
B. professional oath.
C. list of legal requirements.
D. consensus of an opinion on a specific topic.
10. Which of the following isn’t a requirement of the Controlled Substances Act?
A. Use of pain-killing drugs for all animals that had surgery
B. Written records of all narcotic drugs used in a practice
C. All persons administering narcotics to be licensed
D. Written justification for the use of narcotic drugs
68 Examination
11. Which of the following tasks will a veterinary assistant normally perform when the
veterinary technician takes a radiograph?
A. Operate the X-ray machine C. Analyze the X-ray
B. Position the animal on the X-ray table D. Make a preliminary diagnosis
12. Which of the following is illegal?

A. Euthanizing a healthy animal
B. Withholding human contact from an animal
C. Performing medically unnecessary surgery on an animal
D. Not confining an animal to its owner’s property
13. The professional association that represents veterinary technicians is the

A. AVMA. C. DEA.
B. AAHA. D. NAVTA.
14. Which of the following regions became stricken by animal plagues in the seventeenth and
eighteenth centuries?
A. Middle East C. Europe
B. United States D. Africa
15. When delegating tasks in a veterinary hospital, the veterinarian will typically choose
the person
A. with the most available time.
B. whose skills and education best match the job.
C. with the greatest amount of education.
D. with the most seniority.
16. Which of the following veterinary health care team members is responsible for maintaining
the pharmacy area?
A. Veterinarian C. Veterinary assistant
B. Kennel aide D. Veterinary practice manager
17. A veterinary practice that treats common ailments of family pets is known as a
A. small-animal practice. C. veterinary referral practice.
B. mixed-animal practice. D. large-animal practice.
18. An example of unprofessional behavior is

A. taking a day off to attend an educational seminar.
B. reporting a client for abusing a pet.
C. gossiping about a client’s pet.
D. refusing to assist in a legal euthanasia.
Examination 69
19. Following preventive health care guidelines, how often should an average pet receive a
physical examination?
A. Once a year C. Every three to four months
B. Two to three times yearly D. Every two years
20. For an assistant laboratory animal technician to become a laboratory animal

technician, the ALAT must complete species-specific studies and
A. complete a veterinary technician program.
B. successfully pass a certifying examination.
C. complete an internship with a biomedical research company.
D. gain three years of experience as an ALAT.
70 Examination

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Study Unit

About the Reviewer

Copyright © 2002 by Penn Foster, Inc.

When you complete this study unit, you’ll be able to

LEGAL ASPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE 7

TYPES OF VETERINARY PRACTICES 16

THE VETERINARY HEALTH CARE TEAM 23

VETERINARY PRACTICE DESIGN 33

2 Introduction to Animal Care

History of Veterinary Medicine

Introduction to Animal Care 3

4 Introduction to Animal Care

Introduction to Animal Care 5

2. Which of the following is a typical benefit of a job in veterinary medicine?

4. True or False? Most veterinarians in the twentieth century were female.

Check your answers with those on page 61.

6 Introduction to Animal Care

Veterinary Practice Acts

Introduction to Animal Care 7

• RVT—Registered Veterinary Technician

• CVT—Certified Veterinary Technician

• LVT—Licensed Veterinary Technician

• GVT—Graduate Veterinary Technician

8 Introduction to Animal Care

State and Federal Government Agencies

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Introduction to Animal Care 9

• Veterinarians must obtain a license to purchase, use, or

• Controlled substances must be kept in a

• Any controlled substance used or dispensed must

• Written records must be kept for five years.

• Inventory must be taken every two years.

U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and

10 Introduction to Animal Care

• Display job safety and health protection posters.

U.S. Department of Health and

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Introduction to Animal Care 11

Animal Welfare Act

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

12 Introduction to Animal Care

comply with EPA regulations. The EPA also administers an

State Departments of Health

Additional State and Local Regulations

Introduction to Animal Care 13

14 Introduction to Animal Care

2. The veterinary practice act is a set of laws written by

_____ 4. State department of health a. Laboratory animals

7. Veterinarians who dispense or prescribe narcotic drugs are licensed by the

Check your answers with those on page 61.

Introduction to Animal Care 15

16 Introduction to Animal Care

working toward a common goal. In small-animal practices, Veterinarians, physi-

Introduction to Animal Care 17

18 Introduction to Animal Care

Veterinary Referral Practice

Introduction to Animal Care 19

The term mixed-animal practice refers to a veterinary clinic

20 Introduction to Animal Care

Introduction to Animal Care 21

4. Most veterinary assistants are employed by

Check your answers with those on page 61.