Program Overview

Online Veterinary Assistant Training Program

The Online Veterinary Assistant Training program is designed for animal lovers who want to turn their passion into a career helping animals. This comprehensive program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to support veterinarians and ensure the health and well-being of animals in a clinical setting.

Program Description

The program covers various topics, including:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Animal restraint
• Laboratory procedures
• Emergency care
• Small and large animal assisting
• Exotic species
• Veterinary dentistry
• Pharmacy procedures

In addition to technical training, the program teaches students how to work with clients, provide education on pet nutrition, vaccinations, and medication, and communicate effectively within a veterinary practice. Students will also gain career preparation skills, such as resume building and interview guidance.

Program Objectives

The program objectives include:

• Summarizing the roles, responsibilities, and applicable laws and ethics as they pertain to the veterinary healthcare team
• Discussing the fundamentals of animal anatomy and physiology, restraint techniques, and basic examination tasks relevant to veterinary assisting
• Explaining how to perform veterinary assistant pharmacy tasks within the law's scope and discussing vaccinations, infectious diseases, transmission, and prevention
• Describing how to respond appropriately to veterinary medical emergencies, surgeries, and various laboratory procedures
• Understanding how to perform the veterinary assistant's responsibilities related to veterinary dentistry

Program Details

• Location: Online
• Tuition: $2,795.00
• Duration: 6 months of access to the self-paced course
• Prerequisites: None
• Enrollment: Open enrollment, students can enroll and begin at any time

Course Instructors

The program is taught by experienced instructors, including:

• Tracy Heyland, a Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT) with 25+ years of experience in small animal medicine
• Mary Mould, a veterinary technology educator with 22 years of teaching experience and a master's in education

Employment and Education

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a veterinary assistant is currently just over $37,000 per year. Jobs are expected to increase by 19% through 2033, which is considered much faster than average positions.

• Job Outlook: 19% (Much faster than average)
• Number of Jobs, 2023: 118,200
• Median Pay: $37,320 per year

Veterinary Assistant Role

The number one job of a veterinary assistant is to assist the veterinarian and veterinarian technicians with basic tasks. As a veterinary assistant, duties may include:

• Feeding, weighing, and taking the temperature of various animals
• Helping give medication, cleaning cages, and providing nursing care for animals
• Bathing and exercising animals as needed
• Helping restrain them during treatment
• Cleaning and sterilizing equipment and exam rooms
• Performing clerical work, such as scheduling appointments and speaking with customers

Difference between Veterinary Assistant and Veterinary Technician

While both roles work in the same location and potentially with the same animals, they perform very different roles. Veterinary assistants typically receive training through a certificate program and on-the-job training, while veterinary technicians have a formal education, likely a two- or four-year degree accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, and are required to pass a licensing exam in most states.