This micro-credential course will go over the basic structure of the swine industry, as well as companion animal swine. The course will cover common diseases, surgeries, and how to handle swine for procedures and sampling.

This course is intended for RVTs who have an interest in swine.

Developed by swine veterinarian Dr. Sue Burlatschenko, who has taught and worked with trusted and valuable Registered Veterinary Technicians who have been critical to the success of her clinic’s pig care services.

Registered Veterinary Technicians have been part of veterinary care (in larger practices) on pig farms for some years now. The Registered Veterinary Technicians’ role evolved as consolidation of both farms and veterinary practices took place.

Today RVTs ‘stand on the shoulders’ of those Registered Veterinary Technicians who supported veterinarians to provide health care to farms. Your role as a member of the veterinary care team on a pig farm has evolved and can now include many new tasks such as blood testing, sample collection, and laboratory work in-clinic, as well as clinical pet pig assistance. The list continues to evolve.

This micro-credential will increase your skills to position you as a very valuable member of the veterinary care team for swine.

The course has been designed to not only deliver information but more importantly designed to provide you with assignments that give you opportunity to perform the tasks and have the confidence to perform your tasks when assigned to you by the herd veterinarian.

This micro-credential is offered online through approximately 60 hours of instruction with farm school assessments over a two-day period with one day in Timmins, and the other in Haileybury, Ontario.

Cost $1500. Through the generous sponsorship of Boehringer-Ingleheim, there are some partial scholarships available to substantially defray costs for the Fall 2025 cohort.