Veterinary Assistants work to fulfill the following within the course of caring for patients: taking vitals such as blood pressure, temperature, collection of blood, urine by expression, cystocentesis or catheterization; collection and preparation of tissue, cellular, or microbiological samples by skin scraping, impressions; routine laboratory test procedures; radiology including settings, positioning, processing, and safety; intravenous and arterial catheterization; administration and application of treatments, drugs, fluids, medications and immunological agents by oral, parenteral and injectable routes; placement of intra-nasal, intra-gastric tubes; dental procedures; surgical assistance; resuscitative procedures; applications of splints and slings; application of appropriate wound dressings and external supportive care in severe wound and burn cases. Primary focus on large animal surgical service to include aseptic preparation for surgical procedures, surgical positioning, functioning as circulating nurse in the operating room, aseptic collection of biologics, performing lameness evaluations, prolonged standing, jogging, and restraint of large animal patients including but not limited to horses, cows, and other livestock.