Concentration in Equi-Assist

Do you dream of assisting veterinarians on routine and emergency barn calls and providing equine nursing veterinary care in a horse’s home environment? Are you looking for an engaging and affordable equine veterinary program in Pennsylvania? Wilson College has the perfect degree for you! 

Our Equi-Assist^® concentration within the veterinary nursing (VN) major prepares you for environments—including private practices and veterinary schools—requiring a licensed veterinarian with expertise in

• Treating horses where they feel most comfortable.
• Assisting with specialized tasks and treatments.
• Coordinating communication and care between a horse’s owner, trainer, veterinarian, and managers. 

Majoring in a horse veterinary program in Pennsylvania will get you started on your career path. 

Highlights 

Working alongside a mobile horse veterinarian requires understanding concepts ranging from effective handling to assessing a horse's overall health. Our equine nursing veterinary program in Pennsylvania offers a comprehensive approach:

• Interdisciplinary: Gain knowledge and skills across various disciplines with courses like Ground Training the Horse and Infectious Diseases and Diagnostics.
• Collaborative: Learn alongside other students in friendly classes that value individual opinions. 
• Supportive: Our faculty are always available through office hours, email, Panopto recordings, and group and one-on-one Canvas discussions.
• Focused: Discover how to restock supplies and respond to colic calls in small, focused classes. 
• Practical: Gain hands-on, practical experience you can apply to real-life situations.
• Customizable: With the ability to choose and combine electives, you can follow your passions and reach your educational goals. 

Why Study Equi-Assist? 

The Equi-Assist program is the next step toward a career working alongside a mobile equine veterinarian.

You'll learn to: 

• Gather information on a horse's condition. 
• Give injections, draw blood, and conduct X-rays and other tests. 
• Perform routine exams and respond to emergencies. 
• Plan and discuss follow-up care.

Core classes for the Veterinary Nursing, Bachelor of Science: 

• Introduction to Veterinary Nursing
• Infectious Diseases and Diagnostics
• Clinical Practices I and II
• Veterinary Anatomy/Physiology
• Non-Infectious Diseases and Nutrition
• Veterinary Radiology
• Veterinary Clinical Pathology
• Laboratory Animal Science
• Pharmacology I and II
• Veterinary Internship
• Veterinary Surgical Nursing
• Veterinary Clinical Review

Required courses for the Concentration in Veterinary Equi-Assist:

• General Biology I and General Biology II or Contemporary Biology
• Clinical Aspects of Microbiology
• Fundamentals of General Chemistry
• Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry in Biological Systems
• Intro to Equine Management
• Ground Training the Horse
• Equine Health Management
• Advanced Equine Techniques
• Equine Clinical & Surgical Practices

Students must also complete a 240-hour internship in their chosen area of veterinary medicine. 

Career Paths 

Pursuing the Equi-Assist concentration will prepare you to work in various settings. No matter where you see yourself working, the faculty at Wilson College will equip you to succeed. 

Potential career paths include: 

• Private practice for either large or mixed animals
• Federal, state, and local government research
• Veterinary technician or veterinary medical technology schools
• Emergency medicine
• Animal genetics and pharmaceutical companies

Take the Next Step Today

If you're looking for a career path where you provide on-site care for horses, the Equi-Assist concentration at Wilson College is for you. With 98% of our students receiving financial aid and scholarships, getting started is more affordable than ever. 

Apply today to get started. 

Wilson’s Equi-Assist® concentration is made possible, in part, by the generous contribution of Margaret Hamilton Duprey.