New UISD Course to Prepare Students for Veterinary Assistant Certification
United Independent School District is proud to announce the launch of a new Veterinary Science program under its growing Career and Technical Education (CTE) department, starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. This addition will offer students the opportunity to earn the Certified Veterinary Assistant Level I Certification (CVA), preparing them for careers in the high-demand field of animal healthcare.
The Veterinary Science program will launch at United High School with a four-year sequence designed to provide foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in veterinary medicine. The program falls under the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career cluster and is part of the statewide Animal Science Program of Study.
Program Overview:
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9th Grade: Principles of Agriculture
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10th Grade: Small Animal Management, Equine and Livestock Science
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11th Grade: Veterinary Medical Applications
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12th Grade: Practicum in Veterinary Assisting (double-block course with clinical hours)
Students will gain real-world experience through partnerships with seven local veterinary clinics and shelters. These partnerships will support students as they complete the 300-hour practicum required by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association to qualify for certification.
“We are very happy to include such a valuable educational program to our line-up of incredible CTE courses,” said UISD Superintendent Dr. Gerardo Cruz. “Many of our students care deeply about the welfare of creatures, big and small, living in our community. I think it will be very popular. My family adopted a stray female, mixed-breed dog from our community a few years ago; Mika has filled our lives with joy. Welcoming animal life into your family can bring unexpected rewards. They show us love and gratitude and teach children about life, responsibility, and caring for others. I look forward to visiting the class and meeting our future veterinary assistants and veterinarians.”
The program will begin with one teacher hired at UHS to lead the junior and senior specialty courses.
Claudia Gonzalez, UISD CTE Coordinator said, “We are looking for students who have a genuine interest in veterinary medicine and are in good academic standing.” Interested students must submit an application and meet two prerequisite courses. A campus-based committee will evaluate applicants based on grades, attendance, an essay, and teacher recommendations.
Dr. Angelica Sanchez, former Director of UISD CTE, emphasized the value of the new program:
“The UISD CTE department is committed to preparing students for their future careers. We are beyond excited to provide an opportunity for students to work with community partners and develop the real-world skills that lead to post-secondary success in the veterinary field.”
Dr. Sanchez added, “This program not only provides students with certification to become Veterinary Assistants but also helps meet a local workforce demand. By placing trained students into clinics and shelters, they become frontline advocates for responsible pet ownership and animal care in our community.”
About United ISD’s CTE Department:
Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at UISD offer a variety of courses across high-demand industries, combining academic knowledge with technical and job-specific skills. CTE supports career readiness, certification attainment, and access to real-world learning opportunities.
UISD CTE clusters Include: Architectural & Construction; Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communication; Business, Marketing & Finance; Education & Training; Energy; Health Science; Hospitality & Tourism; Information Technology; Law & Public Service; Manufacturing; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics; and Transportation, Distribution & Logistics.
For more information about United ISD’s CTE programs, visit www.UISD.net or call 956-473-1821.
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