It is the policy of the Colby Community College Distance Learning Veterinary Nursing
Program to REQUIRE all students to complete the pre-exposure human rabies immunization
series or submit proof of a protective rabies antibody titer prior to live animal
use. Please note, a person is not considered fully immunized until four (4) weeks
after the series is completed.
Students in the Distance Learning Veterinary Nursing Program wishing to be exempted
from vaccination must provide a completed medical or religious exemption form signed
by a physician with a statement of justification and supporting documentation to CastleBranch.
Exemptions may be allowed for religious or medical purposes only. Religious exemptions
may be appropriate if the student adheres to a religious belief whose teachings oppose
all immunizations. Medical exemptions may be appropriate if the student provides
documentation establishing that the vaccination would endanger his or her life or
health or is medically contraindicated due to other medical conditions.
Students that have a medical contraindication or religious exemption from receiving
the rabies vaccine are NOT eligible to join the On-Campus Veterinary Nursing Program.
Students with a medical or religious exemption may enroll in the Distance Learning
Veterinary Nursing Program courses. However, unvaccinated students must understand
their increased risk of contracting rabies. Unvaccinated students in the Distance
Learning Veterinary Nursing Program MUST follow the stringent policies outlined in
the Colby Community College Distance Learning Veterinary Nursing Program Comprehensive
Rabies Mitigation Plan. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES are unvaccinated students allowed to handle ANY unvaccinated
animals or those who have not yet seroconverted following rabies vaccination at any on-campus or off-campus locations, including mentorships, veterinary clinical
experience locations, laboratory sessions, field trips, preceptorships, internships,
clinicals, and/or practicums. Unvaccinated students are NOT allowed to participate in the fly-in mentorship courses. This may preclude some students from meeting course and graduation requirements.