Day One Activities:

WRITTEN EXAM (100 POINTS) – per team member

The objective exam is designed to determine team members’ broad understanding of the veterinary science field.

The written exam will consist of 50 questions. Forty minutes will be given for the exam.

Topics for the exam may include:

 Behavior

 Disease (causes and sources, signs and clinical signs)

Medical terminology

Medical records

Anatomy/physiology

Regulations (OSHA: Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration; GHS: Globally Harmonized System for Hazard Communication; SDS: Safety Data Sheets)

Patient management

Facility management

Practice management

Genetics

Nutrition

Husbandry

MATH APPLICATIONS EXAM (100 POINTS) – per member

The number of practicum questions will vary based on the type of activity that is assigned. Participants will have 30 minutes to complete the entire math application practicum. Questions may include conversions, dose calculations, dilutions, cost calculations and invoices.

IDENTIFICATION (100 POINTS TOTAL) ) – per member

Participants will identify equipment, parasites and breeds/species for a total of 100 points (two points per item).

Forty minutes will be given for this activity. Identification lists are located at the end of this handbook.

EQUIPMENT (50 POINTS) ) – per member

Participants will identify pieces of equipment (actual equipment and photos). They will also need to have general knowledge about the use for each item.

PARASITES/MICROSCOPIC (30 POINTS) ) – per member

Participants will identify parasites (specimen and photos) and explain the life cycles of selected parasites.

Participants will identify microscopic organisms.

BREEDS (20 POINTS) ) – per member

Participants will identify breeds of small and large animals (photos)

Day Two Activities:

PRACTICUMS (320 POINTS) TOTAL
Clinical Procedure Practicum (200 points)
Participants will be given four clinical procedure activities to complete (50 points each). Fifteen to thirty minutes will be allotted for this section depending on the activities selected each year. Participants are expected to talk through the clinical procedure steps to a judge as they are being scored. Judges may ask participants for clarification on steps performed. All clinical procedure scorecards can be found at the end of this handbook.

Handling and Restraining Practicum (120 points)
Participants will be given four handling/restraint activities to complete (30 points each). Fifteen to thirty minutes will be allotted for this section depending on the activities selected each year. Participants are expected to talk through the handling and restraining steps to a judge as they are being scored. Judges may ask participants for clarification on steps performed. All handling and restraining scorecards can be found at the end of the handbook.

TEAM ACTIVITY (500 Points)
Teams will conduct research using local veterinarians and veterinary resources based on the annual topic posted on the CDE webpage in November. The team will be provided a specific scenario when they begin their team activity. They will have a total of 15 minutes to prepare their presentation. Teamwork will be assessed during the plan development time. Teams will evaluate the information provided and prepare the questions, diagnostics and recommendations as well as explain steps and procedures for the veterinary process in their plan. Teams need to determine what aspects of veterinary medicine and roles are most important to demonstrate based on the annual topic. After preparation the team will be required to give an oral presentation for a maximum of 15 minutes explaining decisions made by the team. All team members are expected to participate in the presentation. The team will then be required to answer questions from judges regarding the decisions reached by their team. Resources provided for the team activity may include diagnostic information like blood work, synopsis of disease state, treatment recommendations and cost information.

2023 Team Activity: Understanding the canine and feline routine wellness visit.

Students may wear FFA tee shirts, polos, or scrubs for the 2023 event.

New for National Event in 2023: 
Beginning in 2023, the veterinary science career development event will focus on two case-based scenarios that blend general knowledge, identification, clinical and handling/restraint practicums, and team activity. The two scenarios for 2023 will focus on a canine or feline wellness visit and routine equine care and maintenance. 

Students will enter and be presented with a history & scenario to interpret.  At that point they will start answering questions that would have traditionally been on the exam. This might also include some math problems as well.  Then they will move into practicum rooms where they will identify equipment, breeds, parasites pertaining to the scenario.  From there they will demonstrate the practicums relevant to the scenario.   Those activities will happen as individuals.  Finally they will move to team activity where they will present based on the case they just walked through to the judges.