Technical standards have been established in an effort to provide a framework to balance several competing interests:

(1) the significant clinical educational component of the MU College of Veterinary Medicine
(2) the requirements imposed upon MU College of Veterinary Medicine for accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association
(3) the conditions for licensure imposed on MU College of Veterinary Medicine graduates.
(4) the legal rights of applicants and students

The technical standards set forth in this document are the minimal standards that allow an individual to perform at the lowest acceptable level in the required activity. Applicants (following an offer of admission) and students must be able to satisfy, with or without reasonable accommodation, the following technical standards which relate to five physical, behavioral, and social abilities: (1) observation; (2) communication; (3) motor (neuromuscular); (4) conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and (5) behavioral and social.

A. Observation

Senses for Observation
The candidate/student should be able to observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences including but not limited to physiologic and pharmacologic demonstrations in animals, microbiologic cultures, microscopic studies of tissues in normal and pathologic states. The candidate/student should be able to observe an animal patient accurately at a distance and close at hand. Information should be able to be acquired from written documents and information visualized as presented in images from paper, films, slides or video. Such observation and information acquisition necessitate the use of visual, auditory, and somatic sensation and are enhanced by other senses, such as smell.

Applications (inclusive of but not restricted to):
Detection of lameness in animals, visual detection of tissue swelling, visual determination of anatomic sites in surgery and pathology, reading of radiographs, microscopic detection of microorganisms or lesions, use of otoscope, ophthalmoscope, and endoscopic equipment, determination of markings and print on syringes, gauges, and drug vials, and evaluation of aggressive and potentially dangerous behavior in animals.

B. Communication

A candidate/student should be able to communicate rapidly and effectively, to detect sounds, and to observe animal patients and their owners in order to elicit information and perceive nonverbal communications. The candidate/student must be able to communicate verbally (vocally) and in writing, effectively and efficiently in English with animal owners and all members of the health care team. A candidate/student must be able to accurately elicit information, and describe a patient’s change in attitude, activity, and position.

Speech - The ability to speak and be understood by others is an integral part of the curriculum of the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. Throughout the four year program, the student is required to interact in an oral mode with professors, fellow students, and clients by presentation of information, cases, and inquiries. The individual must be able to speak and understand English and be understood by others who cannot discern the facial expression or lips of the individual. Individuals are required to interact in a variety of situations where the only means of communication would be oral and where rapid communication is sometimes necessary.

Applications (inclusive of but not limited to):
Communication in surgery room where all individuals are wearing masks and hands contain instruments or are otherwise engaged. Communication with clients and clinicians over the telephone. Communication with other personnel in handling, examining, and treating animals.

Detection of sounds is necessary to assess certain animal body functions and/or systems
including the heart, respiratory system, and the gastrointestinal tract. The ability to detect sounds and communicate with cohorts and clients in situations where one is unable to discern the face or lips of individuals is necessary to function in team situations and to ensure the safety of oneself and others in the treatment or restraint of potentially dangerous animals.

Applications (inclusive of but not limited to):
Communication in surgery room with all occupants wearing a surgical mask. Detection of heart, intestinal, and pulmonary sounds via a stethoscope and monitor. Communication with clients and clinicians over the telephone. Perception of danger and communication to others in handling potentially dangerous animals.

C. Motor (Neuromuscular)

The candidate/student should have sufficient motor function to elicit information by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers. Candidates/students should be able to execute motor movements required to provide general care, surgical care, and emergency treatment to patients and to reasonably protect the safety of other attendants and animal owners.

Tactile Ability

Applications (inclusive of but not limited to):
Detection of inflamed tissues. Palpation of normal and abnormal tissues. Determination of pulse. Tactile differentiation of nonvisual anatomic sites during surgery or other invasive procedures. Use of flames and heated instruments in laboratory settings.

Coordinated Movements-Throughout the four year program, the individual is required to hold and manipulate various instruments, equipment, and devices that must be used to perform specific predetermined physical tasks. The ability to accomplish these tasks by being able to correctly hold and manipulate the instrument or device is paramount in acquiring the needed technical capacity to perform some functions. Additionally, an individual must be able to move their body in such a manner as to prevent and avoid physical harm to themselves, others, and animal patients when working with and restraining animals.

Applications (inclusive of but not restricted to):
Holding and manipulating diagnostic and surgical instruments. Holding, manipulating and/or adjusting a variety of instruments including microscopes, anesthetic machines, needles and syringes, radiography equipment, blood and serum analyzers, ophthalmoscopes, electrocardiographs, ultrasound machines, and endoscopic equipment. Palpating the whole animal, including typical equine patients, and picking up the limbs of a horse for lameness examination. Examine and treat standing animal patients and those recumbent on a floor. Moving from or avoiding danger while handling potentially dangerous animals in a confined situation.

Physical Stamina - Throughout parts of the curriculum, the individual is required to physically move, adjust, and/or manipulate various animate and inanimate objects sometimes under a variety of physical and climatic conditions.

Applications (inclusive of but not limited to):
Placing large dog on an elevated treatment or surgery table. Performing dental procedures on horses. Picking up hooves for examination and manipulate leg joints in horses. Physical restraint of large and small animals. Relocation of cattle, horses, and/or other large animals from transport vehicles to pens, from pasture to pens, and/or from trucks to holding pens.

D. Intellectual-conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities

These abilities include reading and writing in English, measurement, calculation, reasoning analysis and synthesis. In addition, candidates/students should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relations and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.

Problem solving, a critical skill demanded of veterinarians, requires above average intellectual abilities. Intellectual-conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities should be able to be carried out in a time efficient manner that will not endanger the proper care and treatment of animal patients.

To ensure the intended integration of courses in the curriculum and the ability of DVM degree candidates/students to assimilate information efficiently, all courses in an instructional period or clinical block must be taken together. (Exception: when courses must be repeated as a condition of readmission after dismissal for academic cause.)

To further ensure the integration and efficient assimilation of material and
available space within classes, the DVM curriculum must be able to be completed in 4
years unless interrupted by unforeseen hardship, dismissal for academic reasons with
readmission, or exceptional, opportune career-enhancing opportunities impossible at a
later time. (Exceptions: up to one year deferments will be granted for serious medical
illness, injury, or psychological disorders, or for pregnancy if confirmed in writing by a
qualified medical doctor or psychologist.)

Applications
Rapid, appropriate decisions required during anesthesia of animal patients; emergency care of major hemorrhage, cardiac or pulmonary arrest, and intoxications; and surgical procedures on critical care animal patients.

E. Behavioral and Social Skills

The candidate/student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities related to diagnosis and care of animal patients, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with clients. Candidates/students must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that are expected in a candidate/student.