.png)
A group of Chinook’s Edge students are developing career ready skills in veterinary science this year. Fourteen students from nine Chinook’s Edge Schools are enrolled in the Veterinary Technical Assistant Certificate (VTA) program at Olds College. One of those students is Rilynn Ulry, a Grade 11 student from Ecole Olds High School.
“I’m loving the VTA program,” says Ulry. “I’ve always wanted to pursue a career with animals. I was very excited when I found out this program was offered in high school!”
Ulry says she completed two animal health courses last year and decided to pursue VTA after enjoying that experience.
Students in the VTA program take five courses including:
● Introduction to the Veterinary Profession
● Small Animal Restraint and Handling
● Principles of Veterinary Clinical Procedures
● Veterinary Equipment and Instrumentation
● Veterinary Patient Preparation and Husbandry
Courses run over two semesters and each for 15 weeks. The online portion of the course is delivered mostly asynchronously.
Also, each student is expected to be in person at Olds College for five Saturdays and for about five hours of lab learning on each date.
Students who complete the program earn up to 25 credits towards their high school diploma, and they earn a VTA Certificate from Olds College, and convocate from the college. Also, they are eligible to begin work in the industry immediately.
The cost of the program is about $3,700 for individuals enrolled after graduating from high school. The program tuition cost for Chinook’s Edge students is free to the student (the division covers the cost).