Program Advisor: Anne Fortune, 413-236-1622 

The Animal Care certificate program prepares students for employment as animal care assistants working with veterinarians and other professionals involved in animal healthcare and management. Veterinary hospitals, equine training and management facilities, animal breeders, large farms, and breeding and grooming facilities are some employers of animal care assistants.

Students interested in this certificate are urged to consult the program advisor and to work on prerequisites and required courses in other areas during the years when the Animal Care courses are not offered.

NOTE: The next program will be offered Fall 2012.  

BCC's Animal Care program requires 300 hours of hands-on experience at veterinary hospitals and animal care facilities. Students have the opportunity to work with many different animals including dogs, cats, birds, livestock, and horses.

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will:

• have a broad understanding of animal care theory including basic care and management, behavior, reproduction, nutrition, and preventative health care;
• understand the diversity of domestic animal groups, their related industries and their relationship with humans;
• be able to identify the care and management needs of domestic animals and understand how they differ from those of humans;
• have a working knowledge of domestic and/or exotic species through hands-on experience.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a certificate in this program, a student must complete all program credits and the additional requirements shown below.

Program		29 Credits
AHS 129	Medical Terminology	3
BIO 103	Introductory Animal Science	4
BIO 116	Animal Care Practicum (see footnote 1)	2
BIO 117	Animal Care Seminar	1
BIO 118	Animal Behavior	3
BIO 119	Animal Nutrition and Health	4
BIO 201	Anatomy and Physiology I	4
BIO 202	Anatomy and Physiology II	4
CIS 102	Fundamental Computer Literacy	4

Additional
Demonstrated College-Level Skills in Reading and Writing
Minimum Cumulative Average Overall	2.000
Minimum Cumulative Average in Program	2.000

Suggested block for program completion

The following is a suggestion for completion this program in one year. The actual time to complete the program may vary according to each student's individual needs.

First Semester		14 Credits
AHS 129	Medical Terminology	3
BIO 103	Introductory Animal Science	4
BIO 118	Animal Behavior	3
BIO 201	Anatomy and Physiology I	4
Second Semester		15 Credits
BIO 116	Animal Care Practicum (see footnote 1)	2
BIO 117	Animal Care Seminar	1
BIO 119	Animal Nutrition and Health	4
BIO 202	Anatomy and Physiology II	4
CIS 102	Fundamental Computer Literacy	4

Footnotes:

1. Students must have permission of program advisor, and must have completed MAT 028B or have comparable skills before enrolling in BIO 116.

NOTE:

For Gainful Employment disclosure information on this program follow this link: www.berkshirecc.edu/GainfulEmployment .