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Agriculture and Veterinary Technology

Jontae Cabassa, class of '12

Jontae CabassaAs Jontae Cabassa was finishing up her AAS degree in veterinary technology, she thought about her aspirations and re-enrolled for a BBA degree in technology management.

Says Jontae, “The Alfred State program puts you further ahead. Year one I was already touching animals. By the time I finished my vet tech degree, I had more hands-on experience than I would at other colleges. Alfred State really prepares you.”

“The Alfred State program puts you further ahead. Year one I was already touching animals. By the time I finished my vet tech degree, I had more hands-on experience than I would at other colleges. Alfred State really prepares you,” says Jontae.

Taxonomy upgrade extras: 
veterinary technology
Technology Management
Academic Department: 
Agriculture and Veterinary Technology
Business Department

Connie Laquitara, class of '05

Connie Laquitara, ’05

“Pursue your passion. It may land you your dream job.”

Connie, who majored in veterinary technology, was hired right out of college by Genesee Valley Equine Clinic in Rochester, and works almost exclusively with horses.

Connie was hired right out of college by Genesee Valley Equine Clinic in Rochester, and works almost exclusively with horses. 

Academic Department: 
Agriculture and Veterinary Technology

Veterinary Technology

Application Code: 
0521
Degree Received: 
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Department Info: 
Agriculture and Veterinary Technology
Description: 

360 Virtual TourThe veterinary technology program is designed to provide students extensive core information in the theory and principles of veterinary science. The core information is then reinforced with the hands-on technical, animal, and laboratory experiences needed to prepare them to become licensed veterinary technicians. Licensed veterinary technicians are indispensable members of the veterinary medical team who are compassionate and highly motivated professionals dedicated to animal health care. The veterinary technician is capable of providing nursing care, life support, laboratory specimen analysis, physical therapy, surgical assistance, anesthesia, dental hygiene, radiographic imaging, and nutritional management for their animal patients. The veterinary technician is also adept at client education and grief management counseling.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations: 

Required: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2/ Trigonometry, Biology, Chemistry
Recommended: Physics

Graduation Requirements: 

Students must:

  • successfully complete the prescribed sequence of courses
  • achieve a minimum of 2.0 in their core courses
  • achieve a minimum of 2.0 overall
  • be recommended by the department faculty

The Admissions and Performance Standards discussed below define performance expectations that must be met for successful completion of the veterinary technology program at Alfred State. It is the policy of Alfred State to provide reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need an accommodation due to a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Learning Center office at (607) 587-4122. Some accommodations may require up to six weeks to prepare. For progression in the veterinary technology program, students are expected to meet the following performance standards:

  • Critical Thinking - Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations. Develop nursing care plans. Demonstrate problem solving skills. Adapt to stressful situations.
  • Interpersonal - Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with patients, clients, families &groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural & intellectual backgrounds. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Establish rapport with patients/clients & colleagues. Recognize appropriate boundaries in relationships with patients/clients & colleagues.
  • Communication - Communication abilities for interaction with others orally & in writing. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Explain treatment procedures, initiate health teaching, document & interpret nursing actions and patient/client responses. Team building skills.
  • Mobility - Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room, maneuver in small spaces & provide assistance to patients. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Move around in patient & treatment areas. Administer CPR. Provide physical assistance to clients & colleagues to ensure safety within the environment. Ability to prevent or escape injury caused by animals (e.g., biting, kicking, stampeding)
  • Motor Skills - Gross & fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe, effective nursing care in a timely manner. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Use of instruments, supplies, safety devices and communication equipment in the care of patients. Performance of nursing care, surgical assistance, & laboratory techniques.
  • Hearing - Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Auditory ability sufficient to hear ausculatory sounds, monitor alarms, monitor and assess health emergency signals, and cries for help. Hear needs. warning sounds from animals and humans of impending danger/injury.
  • Visual - Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Observe patients for expected and unexpected physical and emotional responses to nursing and medical treatment regimens. Use of diagnostic equipment such as a microscope, thermometer, refractometer, etc ...
  • Tactile - Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and to perform nursing duties in a timely manner. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Perform palpation functions of physical exam. Administer oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, & intravenous medications. Insert and remove tubes and perform wound care management. Surgical assistance.
  • Physical Condition - Physical ability and stamina sufficient to restrain, lift, & assist in the care of a variety of species of animals. Ability to stand for extended periods of time. Ability to withstand extreme weather conditions. Immune system competence. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Safely lift, position, and restrain animals and supplies for treatment. Surgical assistance. Daily clinical routine. Year round treatment and care of outdoor animals. Exposure to a wide range of chemical and biological agents.
Program Activity Tags: 
agriculture
animals
health care
pharmaceutical
veterinarian

Agricultural Technology

Application Code: 
0510
Degree Received: 
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Department Info: 
Agriculture and Veterinary Technology
Description: 

360 Virtual TourThe agricultural technology program provides students the flexibility to select elective courses to fit their career goals. Students can choose concentrations of courses in animal science or plant science.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations: 

Required: Algebra
Recommended: Geometry, Algebra 2/Trigonometry, Biology, Chemistry

Graduation Requirements: 

Students must:

  • successfully complete the prescribed sequence of courses
  • achieve a minimum index of 2.0 in their core courses
  • achieve a minimum index of 2.0 overall
  • be recommended by the department faculty
Program Activity Tags: 
agriculture
animals
plants
business

Agricultural Business

Application Code: 
0511
Degree Received: 
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Department Info: 
Agriculture and Veterinary Technology
Description: 

It is an exciting time to be an agricultural business student. One out of every six jobs in the American economy is related to agriculture and food businesses. The curriculum in agriculture business is designed to provide students with the technical and business skills necessary to be successful in our nation's largest industry. Career opportunities in agribusiness range from managing a farm (dairy, beef, equine, vegetable, fruit, crops) to working in the nurserie, timber, banking, or publishing industries. Ample opportunities are available in the management of farm supply stores or cooperatives, agricultural input sales, insurance, real estate, agricultural processing, and manufacturing industries.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations: 

Recommended: Algebra

Graduation Requirements: 

Students must:

  • successfully complete the prescribed sequence of courses
  • achieve a minimum index of 2.0 in their core courses
  • achieve a minimum index of 2.0 overall
  • be recommended by the department faculty
Program Activity Tags: 
agriculture
management
sales
marketing
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Success Stories

  • Jontae Cabassa, class of '12

    “The Alfred State program puts you further ahead. Year one I was already touching animals. By the time I finished my vet tech degree, I had more hands-on experience than I would at other colleges. Alfred State really prepares you,” says Jontae.

  • Connie Laquitara, class of '05

    Connie was hired right out of college by Genesee Valley Equine Clinic in Rochester, and works almost exclusively with horses. 

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