Program

General Program Description

The Veterinary Technology program has been in operation since 1972. The program was first accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association in 1976 and has been reaccredited every six years since then.  Graduates of this program are eligible to take the Virginia Veterinary Technician Licensing exam which is offered in January and June. In Virginia, licensed veterinary technicians working under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian may perform those tasks related to animal health except the diagnosis of disease, prescribing drugs, or performing surgery. Those tasks include complete dental prophys, dental extractions of single rooted teeth, routine skin closures, diagnostic microscopy, and placing intravenous catheters among many others.

The staff includes five full-time veterinarians, four licensed veterinary technicians, and adjunct veterinary instructors. 

Blue Ridge is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree. The associate degree curriculum has also been approved by the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia. The program is also accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

There are financial aid opportunities for Veterinary Technology students. For additional information, contact the Financial Aid Office at Blue Ridge.

On-Campus Program

The on-campus program is five semesters long, including a summer-long externship in a veterinary practice.  Classes begin every August. There are 40-42 students accepted into each class.  The facility includes two large and fully equipped laboratories, a media center, a small animal clinic, and a large animal clinic.

Students enrolled in the program rotate weekly through the clinics where they are responsible for the care of resident animals, most of which belong to local SPCAs. The program has working relationships with local SPCAs in which animals waiting for adoption are tested for disease, vaccinated, and are spayed and neutered in the clinic.

Since the school is located in a primarily agricultural area, students, in some courses, take field trips to view cattle, horses, sheep, swine, and poultry management operations. Students also learn about domestic and nondomestic species of animals in this program.

The college does not have any dormitories, so students usually obtain housing in the area from Staunton to Harrisonburg. Financial aid is available and there are scholarships specifically for Veterinary Technology students. (available after the first semester)

Distance Education

This program is designed for those students who for personal or financial reasons cannot travel to Weyers Cave for the residential program. Classes start every three years and take place using a live, two-way television connection. 

Applicants must:

1. Have completed or are in the process of completing the general education courses* required for the A.A.S. degree in Veterinary Technology. Preference is given to those who have completed them.
2. Be employed at least 20 hours per week by a veterinarian willing to provide supervision and allow the student to practice the tasks taught in the various courses.
3. Be committed to enrolling in all the courses for this program as they are offered.

* ENG 137 or ENG 111, SDV 100, CHM 110, Humanities/Fine Arts, HLT/PED and Social Science elective.

The distance learning program has limited space and students will be selected on a competitive basis. An interview will be required.

Blue Ridge Community College currently transmits the Veterinary Technology Program to Tidewater Community College's Virginia Beach campus, Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, John Tyler Community College's campus in Midlothian, and Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton using compressed video technology. Courses will be offered in sequence to allow a student who takes every course to finish in 9 semesters. Students graduate after 3 years.  Students will be required to travel to the Weyers Cave Campus three times during the semester for additional hands-on training and testing.

The first Tidewater Community College distance education students graduated from the program in May 2000.  All 15 graduates passed the state licensing exam.  In 2003 all of the graduates of the next two distance education classes passed the state licensing exam.

BRCC's Veterinary Technology Distance Education program is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.   

Contact Dr. Stuart Porter, Coordinator of the Veterinary Technology Distance Education Program, at porters@brcc.edu for more information or for a Veterinary Technology application packet, send your name and address to rosenbergc@brcc.edu.

• Frequently Asked Questions About Distance Education

The Veterinary Assisting Certificate

Veterinary Assisting is an evening program leading to a Career Studies Certificate at Blue Ridge Community College.

The career studies certificate in veterinary assisting is designed for people working in veterinary hospitals who want specific, but limited, additional training. The courses are also useful for those interested in entering the two-year Veterinary Technology program. Individuals with other pet-related interests, such as pet shop personnel, dog breeders, and pet owners, may also benefit from this set of courses.

Admission is open to anyone over 18 as well as high school seniors who are interested in continuing their education in the animal health field.  The four courses may be taken in any order for completion of the certificate, except that VET 101 must be taken before VET 236.

- view curriculum

Classes may be offered infrequently or cancelled due to lack of registration. Normally one course will be offered each semester.

Graduation Requirements

• Fulfill all course and credit hour requirements.
• Maintain a GPA (grade point average) of 2.0.
• Complete an application for graduation and pay all fees.

Topics Include:

• Restraint and Handling
• Kennel Management
• Common Diseases and Medical Conditions
• Common Medical Procedures
• Common Laboratory Procedures
• Emergency Care and First Aid
• Ethics and Professionalism
• Communications and Client Relations
• Common Office Procedures
• Record Keeping
• Telephone Techniques
• Nutrition and Feeding
• Medical Terminology
• Medical History
• Normal Canine and Feline Behavior
• Canine and Feline Behavior Problems