4-H Veterinary Science Project

4-H Veterinary Science

Are You Into It?
Do you have an animal you want to keep healthy or are you interested in a career keeping animals healthy? The 4-H Veterinary Science project helps you explore and learn more about animal health in your home, club, community, country, and world. Grow your knowledge about how animal health affects public health!

Appreciate the importance of good management and sanitation practices in keeping animals and birds healthy
Learn the values of scientific research and its influence on animals and their health

Here’s what you can do all year!

Starting Out Basic / Level 1

Understanding differences of species in body styles, systems, breeds and life stages.
Explore the animal basic needs and health/safety.
Learn how veterinarians and owners work together to keep animals healthy.
Investigate the many careers of animal science and veterinary science.

Learning More Intermediate / Level 2

Discover the importance of Food Safety and Quality Assurance.
Explore biosecurity and an animal health management plan for animals.
Consider ethics and animal welfare
Develop and maintain accurate health records for animals and pets.
Investigate health issues related to body systems, diseases, parasites and the importance of immunity.

Expanding Horizons Advanced / Level 3

Incorporate science into understanding of genetics and animal reproduction and health.
Research the use of veterinary technology and procedures
Identify the transfer of diseases between animals and humans.
Further explore non-veterinary, animal-related careers

Back to 4-H Livestock Home

Back to 4-H Project Home

Take It Further

Veterinary Science Hot Sheet
(color or B/W pdf)

Poster Exhibits Tip Sheet
(color or B/W pdf)

Exhibitor Fair Information Form
(Word or editable PDF)

Exhibit Evaluation Form (pdf)

Here are other opportunities to explore Veterinary Science:

Assist with a local Food Safety Quality Assurance class for younger 4-H members
Schedule a job shadow with your local veterinarian
Become a youth representative on a livestock bio-security advisory group
Set-up a local/area animal disease emergency preparedness and response team
Attend Animal Science Round-Up as part of the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference and participate in one of the livestock areas.
Attend the Iowa State Fair Vet Camp (registrations available online)
Is it fair time? Consider a communications speech or develop a poster or video for your county fair or the Iowa State Fair.
Contact your county ISU Extension Office for other local workshops, activities, and events
Interested in a college education in animal science or veterinary medicine? Schedule a visit with Iowa State University to explore those majors.

4-H Resources

4-H Veterinary Science Project Manuals

From Airedales to Zebras- Level 1 (4H0760A)
All Systems Go!- Level 2 (4H0760B)
On the Cutting Edge- Level 3(4H0760C)
Veterinary Science Helpers Guide (4H0760 LDR)

Publications available through ISU Extension Online Store or at your County Extension Office.

University of Nebraska 4-H Vet Science Series

The Normal Animal- Level 1 (EC29981)
Animal Disease- Level 2 (4H48)
Animal Health and Its Relationship to Our World- Level 3 (4H133)
Veterinary Science Leaders Guide (4H192)

Iowa State University Veterinary Medicine

The Veterinarian's Way of Selecting a Proper Pet

Recordkeeping Form

Other Resources

Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine- Learn all about the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine.
Zoonotic Diseases- The Center for Food Security and Public Health presents resources on animal disease, treatment, and emergency respoonse.
Pet First Aid- The AVMA helps with pet first aid in the chance that your pet is hurt or sick.
American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges- Find out about the organization that brings many of the Veterinary Colleges together and what they do.
Healthy Pets- The Center for Disease Control gives tips on how to keep you and your pet healthy.
Pet MD- Complete glossary of pet terms.
Vet Job Description- Would you like to be a vet? The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a description of what vets do on a day to day basis.
AMVA Kid's Corner- An animal care activity center has fun activities for kids to learn, provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Iowa State Fair Vet Camp

2012 Vet Camp Information
2012 Vet Camp Registration
2012 Advanced Vet Camp Information
2012 Advanced Vet Camp Registration
For more information, visit the Vet Camp Website.

Record Keeping

Create a display of products which come from livestock or animals
Compare/Contrast various health management plans for a type of animal
Interview a veterinarian and report on the various parts of their job.
Create a display showing the difference in animal digestive systems
Create a poster illustrating the types of injections for animals
Research domestic animal health issues and how they affect people
Research wild animal health issues and how they affect people
Create a first aid kit for large or small animals
Make a poster showing how to care give first aid to an animal
Make a poster about foods, plants, and/or household items that are poisonous to animals
Take a tour of the Iowa State University Vet College
Learn about newly approved feed additives for livestock and their uses
Show the growth curve over an animal’s lifetime
Develop a video on proper hoof care for an animal
Develop a video or power point on ethics in the livestock industry