Online Courses for Animal Care Students

Animal welfare is a growing concern worldwide, with animal specialists and veterinarians in high demand. To help provide more trained professionals, schools are offering courses in animal care. Available in online, on-campus and hybrid formats, animal care courses are aimed at students interested in joining the animal care industry or individuals interested in expanding their knowledge of animals and animal care. Courses include terminology, diseases, emergency treatment and more.

Online Animal Care Courses

Animal care courses are offered in many vocational schools and colleges as part of their online or distance learning programs. Although many of the courses are fully online, some degree-earning courses require a hands-on learning experience, such as internships with licensed veterinarians or animal specialists.
Online animal care courses offer students the opportunity to learn from a large network of professionals from the animal care industry without ever having to leave their communities. While many of the animal care courses offered online may be taken as individual courses, most are part of a certificate or degree program.
Students enrolled in these courses may earn animal care certificates, animal-specific (dog, cat, etc.) certificates or degrees, such as an associate degree in veterinary technology. Graduates may find career opportunities working in animal hospitals, animal shelters, veterinary clinics, and other animal facilities.

Online Requirements

Since animal care courses are offered online, students need a computer with Internet access, preferably high-speed broadband, Windows 2000 or higher, and an e-mail address. Computers should have a compatible Web browser such as Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher or Firefox 3.0 or higher.
If coursework is delivered via Blackboard, Firefox is the recommended browser. Student should be proficient in word processing and keyboarding and will be required to purchase any software required for the courses, such as Microsoft Word.

List of Online Animal Care Courses

Veterinary Medical Terminology Course

This course is aimed at students interested in learning more about the animal care industry. Students learn veterinary medical terminology and its correct usage, specifically the anatomical vocabulary. Focus is on the medical prefixes and suffixes used with medical terminology of small, large, and even exotic animals.

Anatomy and Physiology of Small Animals Course

The small animal anatomy and physiology course provides students with a basic understanding of animal structure and function. The course starts with the cells and covers the entire body system, demonstrating how the body parts work in keeping the animal healthy and alive. Correct anatomical terminology is emphasized in this course.

Skeletal and Muscular Systems of Animals Course

This course covers both the physiology and anatomy of animals, including the structure and function of the skeletal system, muscular system, skeletal muscles and joints. Students will know the function of each body part in relation to the animal's overall health.

Circulatory, Respiratory and Integumentary Systems Course

This course teaches students about the processes and structure of an animal's body. Focus is on the cardiovascular, respiratory, and lymphatic and integumentary systems. The integumentary system includes the skin and everything that's connected to it, including scales, hair, claws or feathers, which cushion and protect the animal. The knowledge gained in this course helps students diagnose and treat animal health issues more quickly.