• Location: Coolidge, AZ
• Program Type: High School Education Program
• Primary Instructors: Christina Chatham, CVT, and Nadine Kerstetter, CVT
A NAVTA-Approved Veterinary Assistant Program since 2013, the Central Arizona Valley Institute of Technology VA program in Coolidge, AZ, was one of the first high school programs to be approved by NAVTA and continues to provide an excellent educational training experience for its students.
“We embody the heart of what veterinary medicine represents—compassion, dedication, and commitment to animal welfare…the focus of our program is excellence, student discovery, and real-world experiences,” states CAVIT instructor Christina Chatham, CVT. Students in the two-year CAVIT program spend a minimum of 1-2 days each week with live animal handling and performance of skills related to veterinary assisting. All of the VA students become certified in Fear Free protocols during their education.
Students in the program have exposure to animals from the Pinal County Animal Control Center performing restraint, grooming, behavioral evaluation, lab work, and minor medical treatments under the direct supervision of the program’s CVT instructors and contracted veterinarians. Students also assist the veterinarians in advanced animal care, help prepare patients for altering surgeries, clean between surgeries, and prepare the surgery packs—all on campus, as the school has a surgery unit and all the supportive equipment and instruments. The Pinal County shelter takes in nearly 5,000 animals annually, and the students are vital in helping many of these animals be prepared for adoption.
The CAVIT VA students participate in many community outreach events, including a pet food/ supply drive for the shelter, no-cost vaccine clinics for community pets, and animal enrichment events through the shelter and rescue organizations. The CAVIT VA program also has students visit local elementary schools to help educate these young people in animal care and well-being, with events such as a recent dog bite prevention lesson. Students from nearby elementary and middle schools visit the high school campus to be introduced to veterinary science and careers.
The curriculum is thorough and well-rounded to include Veterinary Assistant skills and soft skills like professionalism, communication, and critical thinking. In 2022, the program won the Golden Bell Promise Program Award from the Arizona School Board Association. The program also holds the Distinguished Achievement accreditation from the AZ Dept of Education. CAVIT VA students were featured in the Winter 2025 edition of the Health Occupation Students of America Magazine and have been highlighted numerous times by local media for their work with the Pinal County shelter, vaccine clinics, and visits to the previously mentioned elementary and middle schools.
The CAVIT students graduate with an extensive knowledge of the Veterinary Assistant field and hands-on experiences to give them the skills for success. Pass rates on the NAVTA AVA exam exceeded 98% for 2023-2025. “Our instructors are focused on seeing each student as an individual and understanding their educational goals and challenges,” added instructor Nadine Kerstetter, CVT. CAVIT VA students are fortunate to have such a high-quality program and dedicated instructors. NAVTA is pleased to feature the Central Arizona Valley Institute of Technology Veterinary Assistant program during AVA Week 2026.
AVA Membership Tier
In 2026, NAVTA introduced a new AVA membership tier designed to support veterinary assistants through professional development, continuing education opportunities, recognition, and community. The membership tier was created to help veterinary assistants strengthen their connection to the profession while gaining access to resources that support career growth and long-term success. Those interested in joining can learn more at https://navta.net/membership.