Skip to content

Online Veterinary Assistant Training

Two veterinary assistants, a woman and a man, taking care of a dog.

Become a Veterinary Assistant 

Veterinary assistants take charge of making sure office visits and procedures go smoothly for animals under veterinary care. Our 100% online course will train you to become a veterinary assistant, so you can turn your love of animals into a rewarding career.

 

Disclaimer: These courses are not offered at Snow College for credit or otherwise, but through a Continuing Education program partnership with Ed2Go. They are not eligible for financial aid through Snow College.

 

Enroll Now

 

Job Outlook for Veterinary Assistant
  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a veterinary assistant is currently just over $26,000 per year. 
  • Jobs are expected to increase by 19% through 2026, which is considered much faster than average positions. There should be plenty of job opportunities for veterinary assistants regardless of location.

 

Veterinary Assistant FAQs
WHAT DOES A VETERINARY ASSISTANT DO? 

The number one job of a veterinary assistant is to support the veterinarian as well as veterinarian technicians with basic tasks. Veterinary assistants typically feed, weigh, bathe and take the temperature of animals. They may also help give medication, clean cages and help restrain animals during treatment or other medical procedures as needed. 

 

DO VETERINARY ASSISTANTS HANDLE ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES?

Some veterinary assistants perform clerical work such as scheduling appointments and speaking with customers. As a vet assistant, you may handle many of the logistical and operating duties, such as check-in, billing and after visit care. Duties will vary depending on the office you work in, but every task is to ensure the health and well-being of animals inside the veterinary practice.

 

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A VETERINARY ASSISTANT AND VETERINARY TECHNICIAN? 

Veterinary assistants are typically training through a certificate program to help with basic duties. Veterinary technicians, on the other hand, have a formal education and work as the nurse of a veterinarian. Veterinary technicians need two-year associate degrees accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

 

CAN I GO FROM A VETERINARY ASSISTANT TO A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN? 

Yes. If you pursue additional education and licensing, you could become a veterinary technician. Working as a vet assistant is a great first step to understanding the industry, different specialties and advanced duties required to work as a vet technician.

 

Course Objective
  • Anatomy and physiology of the major organ systems
  • Handling medical records and communicate with clients and coworkers
  • Restraining animals for procedures, take vital signs, and bathe them
  • Nutrition, vaccinations and administering medication
  • Preparing prescriptions, taking blood samples and radiographs

 

Enroll Now

 

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to take this course.

 

Curriculum
  1. GETTING STARTED 
  2. WELCOME TO THE VETERINARY HOSPITAL 
  3. GETTING READY FOR YOUR FIRST VISIT 
  4. PHYSIOLOGY AND ANATOMY 1: DIRECTIONAL SIGNS AND THE SKELETAL SYSTEM 
  5. PHYSIOLOGY AND ANATOMY 2: THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, ENDOCRINE SYSTEM, AND MUSCLES AND JOINTS 
  6. PHYSIOLOGY AND ANATOMY 3: THE CIRCULATORY AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEMS 
  7. PHYSIOLOGY AND ANATOMY 4: THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM, UROGENITAL SYSTEM, LIVER, AND SPLEEN 
  8. FRONT OFFICE DUTIES: RECORDS, CONFIDENTIALITY, AND CLIENT RELATIONS 
  9. MORE FRONT OFFICE TIPS, AND DETERMINING AGE AND GENDER OF KITTENS AND PUPPIES 
  10. CANINE RESTRAINT 
  11. FELINE AND EXOTIC RESTRAINT 
  12. THE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: PROCEDURES, RESTRAINT, AND VITAL SIGNS 
  13. EVERYDAY PROCEDURES FOR THE VETERINARY ASSISTANT 
  14. WORKPLACE HAZARDS AND INFECTION CONTROL 
  15. THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE AND STERILIZATION PROCEDURES 
  16. VACCINOLOGY 
  17. NUTRITION BASICS AND PRESCRIPTION FOODS 
  18. PRESCRIPTIONS: PREPARING AND CALCULATING DOSES 
  19. PRESCRIPTIONS: TYPES OF MEDICATIONS AND WHAT THEY DO 
  20. GIVING MEDICATIONS 
  21. THE EUTHANASIA PROCESS 
  22. TAKING BLOOD SAMPLES 
  23. INTERPRETING BLOOD TESTS AND HANDLING BLOOD 
  24. URINE COLLECTION, HANDLING, AND INTERPRETATION 
  25. TESTS: SEROLOGY, SCRAPINGS, SMEARS, FLOTATIONS, AND NECROPSIES 
  26. RADIOGRAPHS AND PERSONAL SAFETY 
  27. RADIOGRAPHIC POSITIONING 
  28. PAIN RECOGNITION AND EMERGENCY CARE 
  29. DENTISTRY: CHARTING, TOOTH DISEASE, AND DENTAL CARE 
  30. EXTERNAL PARASITES: FLEAS, TICKS, MITES, AND MORE 
  31. PARASITES OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT AND HEART 
  32. POISONINGS IN PETS 
  33. SURGERY 1: PREPARING THE PATIENT 
  34. SURGERY 2: YOUR ROLE DURING AND AFTER 
  35. UNDERSTANDING ANIMAL BEHAVIOR 
  36. THE JOB SEARCH AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES 

 

Instructor

Jeff Grognet

Jeff Grognet has been a companion animal veterinarian for 25 years. He was a pioneer in the field of veterinary assistant teaching, developing his first course more than 18 years ago. Due to the success of his veterinary receptionist/assistant courses, he expanded his teaching into other high-demand areas including pet first aid and alternative medical therapies for companion animals. He practices at a veterinary hospital and contributes regularly to several magazines.

 

Enroll Now