Equine Science Specialist Certificate of Achievement

This certificate focuses on basic husbandry, preventative care and veterinary technology in the Equine. The anatomy andphysiology of the horse is studied in comparison to other farm animals to give the student a picture of the need for specialized animal husbandry and veterinary care in the horse. Skills in Radiography, Ultrasound, Endoscopy, Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer technology are emphasized. Preparation for careers in Equine production, education,training and health care.

It is expected that Enrollment in this program will improve by up to 60 students p/a with approximately 20 completing this and one of the other 2  stackable certificates with total COA of 40 p/a

Prepares student for employment in the animal science and production industry. Careers include: AgribusinessManagers, Nutritionists, Agriculture and Conservation Extension Officers,Agricultural Food Inspectors, Farm and Ranch Managers, AnimalTrainers, Veterinarian Assistants, Pharmaceutical and Feed Representatives,Park and Wildlife Managers, Agriculture and Natural Resource Educators. Animalproduction is being asked to be sustainable-more economically, environmentallyand socially responsible.

This focus on sustainability is intensified by publicconcerns about “factory farming", food safety, antibiotic use and animalcruelty. This curriculum focuses on giving students a basic understanding ofanimal anatomy and physiology, animal production systems and health issues in animals.

Competencies taught include Animal Science, Animal Nutrition, AnimalHealth, Veterinary Science, Soil Science, Plant Science and sustainableagricultural practices. A new breed of managers and technicians must adapt tothese changes and have the skills to apply these new practices and technologies.  

An Animal Science and Veterinary Assistant Career Technical Pathway has been developed that allowsstudents to begin taking college classes in high school, continue through VictorValley College and transfer seamlessly to selected California State Universities via an Associates Transfer Degree (ADT) in Agricultural Science and Animal Science

Group I All of the following must be completed 10 units Units

AGNR102 Equine Science 4

AGNR105 Equine Health 3

AGNR106 Veterinary Terminology and Technology 3

Group II One of the following must be completed 3 or 4 units Units

AGNR100 General Animal Science 3

AGNR101L Livestock Feeding and Nutrition 3

AGNR107 Livestock Selection and Evaluation 3

AGNR175 Sustainable Agriculture, Environment and Society 3

AGNR177 Principles of Wildlife Management 3AGNR178 Agriculture Economics 3

AGNR108 Animal Health and Sanitation 3

AGNR123 Introduction to Plant Science 3

AGNR131 Introduction to Soil Science 4

AGNR-COOP138 Cooperative Education Agriculture 3

ALDH125 Medical Aspects of Drugs and Alcohol 3

BIOL100 General Biology 4

Total 13 0r 14 units

The competencies the students will need to compete in these rapidly expanding career fields are focused on:

• Proficiency in the underlying applied sciences- Animal Science, Animal Nutrition, Veterinary Science, Plant Science and Environmental Science

• Proficiency in the underlying basic sciences-Biology, Physiology, Anatomy, Chemistry

• Proficiency in the underlyingsocial studies- Geography, Economics and Political Science

• Advanced computer (databasemanagement) and math (statistics) skills that support the disciplines ofagriculture, natural resources and sustainable development. Operation of commonword processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.

• Application of advancedtechnologies and skills in: Veterinary Diagnostic Technologies- X Ray,Ultrasound; Feed Ration Formulation; Reproductive Technologies- ArtificialInsemination, Ultrasound and Embryo Transfer; Soil Analysis; Plant Propagation;Field Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture.

Master Planning: Fits with VVC goal of making all certificates Chancellorapproved - COA

1. A “Stackable” Sequence of Certificates of Achievementto include: Equine ScienceSpecialist, Veterinary Assistant, and Animal Science Specialist.

2.  An Agricultural AnimalScience Transfer Model Curriculum (TMC) towards an AssociateTransfer degree in Agricultural Animal Science (ADT) - Approved Feb 2019.This ADT facilitates a seamlesstransfer to California State Universities (CSU) to major in:  Agriculture,Animal Science, Animal Health, Pre-Veterinary Science, Agricultural Science,Agriculture Education, Agriculture Studies and Natural Resource Management.