Kirkwood Animal Health Programs

Love animals? At Kirkwood Community College, students can choose from among four programs, described below. To enroll, you'll need to apply to the college, take entrance or placement exams, and attend a program conference and orientation once you have been accepted. Veterinary Technician classes begin in July. All other programs assume an entry at the beginning of the fall semester.

Our programs:

Veterinary Technician -- This two-year Associate of Science degree prepares the graduate to take the state and federal board examinations to become a registered Veterinary Technician in the state of Iowa. Students study pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, best nursing practices, animal behavior and restraint and anesthesia, and work with dogs, cats, rodents, birds, goats, sheep, cows and the occasional reptile..

Veterinary Assistant -- This one-year diploma program prepares students to work in veterinary practices, boarding facilities and research facilities. Students study reception and office administration, animal behavior and restraint, disease prevention and disinfection, human relations and basic grooming skills.

Since there is a requirement for strong math, writing and science skills, these two programs (above) are selective admissions programs and are not eligible for open enrollment.

Humane Officer Training -- This two-year Associate of Science degree prepares students to work as humane officers in animal shelters. Classes are from both the Criminal Justice and Animal Health departments and include constitutional procedures, crime scene processing, legal report writing, animal behavior and restraint, species physiology, office administration, truck driving, and disaster preparation. The program includes certification as a euthanasia technician.

Animal Control Assistant -- This one-year diploma program prepares students to work in the animal shelter, providing customer service and animal care. It can be used as a stepping stone to complete Humane Officer Training program.

Pet Grooming -- This one-year diploma program includes two full semesters of hands-on dog grooming along with instruction in grooming shop management, bookkeeping and business communication.