Veterinary Assistant
Veterinary Assistant
Start Date: September
Duration: 8 Months
Credential: Diploma
Start Date: September
Duration: 8 Months
Credential: Diploma
Program Overview:
Turn your passion for animals into a successful career!
Enroll in our 8-month Veterinary Assistant Program to master cutting-edge skills and gain hands-on experience.
As a vital member of the veterinary team, you’ll gain essential skills in assisting Veterinary Technicians and Veterinarians. In addition to clinical skills development, you will also learn how to manage the day-to-day operations of a veterinary clinic.
Veterinary Assistants provide both customer service and patient care as part of their everyday duties, you will learn to deliver animal health knowledge and provide basic care.
Ready to make a difference in veterinary care? Enroll today and take the first step towards a rewarding career. Don’t forget, our program’s high employment rates and reputation for excellence will give you a strong start in the field. Your future in veterinary care starts here!
*Cost breakdown: Book a meeting with one of our Admissions Advisors for a detailed breakdown of costs and tuition for our Veterinary Assistant program. They can provide tailored information and help you understand all financial aspects. Schedule your appointment today to get all the details you need!
- The Oulton College Veterinary Assistant Program prepares you for a rewarding career as a Veterinary Assistant in less than 1 year, so you get out into the work force faster. • Our Veterinary Assistant program provides you with the experience and knowledge to be successful in the rapidly growing field of Veterinary Medicine. • You will apply the classroom theory to hands-on experiences in our on-site veterinary clinic – beginning with practice and simulation on manikins and continuing to care of live patients. • Your education will be challenging and dynamic, providing education in many areas of veterinary medicine. • Our program provides wonderful opportunities for networking within the profession and exposure to guest speakers from all areas of the profession. • Highest quality of education has created relationships and reputation of excellence, which results in high employment rates, year after year!
- Work alongside our veterinary technician students in our on-site licensed veterinary clinic and learn how to become an important part of the veterinary healthcare team.
- You will get extensive hands-on experience with all types of animals to build your confidence and expertise.
- You will receive individual attention from qualified instructors who are licensed veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians.
- Our Veterinary Assistant program provides you with the experience and knowledge to be successful in the rapidly growing field of Veterinary Medicine.
- The Oulton College Veterinary Assistant Program prepares you for a rewarding career as a Veterinary Assistant in less than 1 year, so you get out into the work force faster.
- Your classroom theory will guide your hands-on experience utilized in our on-site veterinary clinic – first with manikins before moving on to caring for live patients.
- Your education will be challenging and dynamic, providing knowledge in many areas of veterinary medicine.
- Our program provides wonderful opportunities for networking and exposure to guest speakers from all areas of the profession.
- The highest quality of education and a reputation of excellence has created relationships which result in high employment rates, year after year!
Veterinary Assistant Program:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Veterinary Medical Terminology
- Husbandry
- Office Procedures
- Surgical Assisting
Admission Requirements:
- Grade 12 Diploma, Adult Diploma or GED
- Grade 11 or 12 Biology is considered an asset
- Grade 11 or 12 English is considered an asset
- Meeting with an Admissions Advisor
- Acceptance by the Admissions Committee
- Completion of the Pre-Enrollment Package
International students whose first language is not English must submit proof of English language proficiency, unless they have completed a minimum of three years of study at a school where English is the language of instruction. Please see the international application process here.
Career Opportunities:
Veterinary Assistants are an important part of the animal healthcare team. We take pride in producing top veterinary assistants, equipped with comprehensive training and hands-on experience. Explore the diverse and rewarding career paths available to graduates of our Veterinary Assistant program. Here are just a few opportunities you can pursue:
- Private Veterinary Hospitals
- Corporate Veterinary Hospitals
- Veterinary Practice Management
- Zoos
- Wildlife Reserves
- Animal Shelters
- Animal Boarding Facilities
Course Descriptions:
Basic computer concepts, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint are taught.
Students will also be expected to attain a minimum of 30 words per minute.
This course introduces veterinary assistant students to the overview of anatomy and physiology and common diseases in dogs and cats. Each body system will be discussed along with examples of common diseases and disorders for each body system.
This course provides veterinary assistant students with in-depth correct medical terminology for use in communicating with other veterinary professionals. Medical terms will be broken down into roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Terminology will be presented relating to body systems, common diagnostic procedures, and anatomical directions.
students gain essential skills in office administration, communication, and professional tactics. The roles of various veterinary health care team members are defined. Students learn reception area management, working as part of a team, effective communication, and medical record management. The importance of veterinary ethics, consent, and confidentiality is emphasized. Discussion of HR practices, client communication and compliance, as well as inventory management is included. Additionally, students are trained in appointment scheduling and develop practical skills in accurately entering records in veterinary management software.
This course will include theory and practice to allow the veterinary assistant student to learn and practice safe handling, restraint and husbandry of cats and dogs. Student will identify canine and feline breeds and learn basic canine and feline behavior. Cleaning, sanitation, and isolation procedures of the veterinary facility will also be discussed.
Veterinary assistant students will continue to learn, through a combination of theory and labs, basic nursing procedures for dogs and cats. Data collection and record keeping for in-hospital and outpatients will be described. Preventative medicine and basic clinical nutrition will also be discussed.
Combination of theory and practice to introduce the student to basic lab techniques. Veterinary assistant students will also learn to assist the veterinarian or veterinary technician with the production of diagnostic quality radiographs, with an emphasis on radiation safety for staff and patients. Students will learn how to collect and process samples for diagnostic procedures and how to perform basic diagnostic tests.
In this course, veterinary assistant students will be introduced to the nomenclature of common veterinary products – their classifications, indications, side effects, and administration routes. Pharmacy skills include safe handling, record keeping, dispensing and disposal of drug products. Basic pharmacy calculations are discussed and practiced.
With a combination of lectures and labs, veterinary assistant students will learn aseptic techniques related to surgical procedures. Students will practice the identification, care and sterilization of surgical and dental instruments. Students will learn the skills needed to assist with aseptic preparation of the surgical patient and surgical team. Post-surgical cleanup and disposal of hazardous materials will be discussed.
Veterinary assistant students build on the Office Procedures I skills, by learning about managing accounts receivable, pet health insurance, the basics of bookkeeping, workplace safety, zoonotic diseases, and maintaining medical records. Emphasis is also placed on the human-animal bond, euthanasia procedures, interacting with a grieving client, stress and burnout management, and recognizing compassion fatigue.
Practical skills include invoicing, patient admissions and discharges, and responding to veterinary medical emergencies both over the phone and in person.
*Content is subject to change by administration as required to meet program and profession standards.
