By Blair Fannin
AgriLife Today
Aspiring youth wanting to enter the veterinary animal health profession recently received week-long training that included hands-on demonstrations with beef cattle and horses, plus tours of the Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in College Station.
The event coincided with Texas 4-H Roundup week. Upon completion of the week-long instruction, students received Beef Quality Assurance certification from the Texas Beef Council and obtained 33 of the 78 clinical skills needed for the Texas Veterinary Medical Association Certified Veterinary Assistant level 1 certification, according to organizers.
The camp featured experts from the Texas A&M University department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, third-year veterinary students who work with the Partnership for Environmental Education and Rural Health and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Experts from AgriLife Extension and the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases provided instruction and skills training.
“We had 25 youth from all across the state who are interested in veterinary science, equine science and animal science,” said Dr. Joe Mask, AgriLife Extension Service specialist and assistant professor with the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases at Texas A&M.
“They had a great week of learning opportunities, specifically all types of clinical skills that they can use in a career path whether it be a veterinarian or research scientist.”
Early in the week, the camp participants worked with horses, learning all aspects of handling and health, Mask said.
“We specifically discuss conducting a good physical exam on every horse we look at it, routine things we see in primary care. It might be colic, a horse with a wound, one with an eye injury and or lameness issue,” said Dr. Mike Martin, associate professor with the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Camp participants learned how to apply bandages, how to catch and tie a horse, how to lead them safely and how to handle and examine feet.
“I tried to emphasize some of the behavioral aspects of working around a horse from a safety standpoint,” said Dr. Dennis Sigler, AgriLife Extension equine specialist. “They need to be effective with these skills so they can work safely and efficiently around horses in their jobs.”
Other practices discussed and demonstrated included haltering cattle, proper injection placement and evaluating cattle with potential illness. Camp participants also learned cattle behavior in a chute, as well as how to use a stethoscope to listen to the cow’s heart rate.
Camp participants also viewed beef cattle research projects at the Texas A&M field laboratory near College Station and toured the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science department on campus.