Ontario College Certificate in Veterinary Assistant

Fanshawe College

The one-year Veterinary Assistant certificate program covers the skills and knowledge required to assist in delivering quality animal care as a member of the veterinary team. You will gain a strong foundation in animal care, health and well-being, preparing you for a veterinary clinic setting. As a Veterinary Assistant, you will work closely with Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians to care for various types of animals. This one-year Veterinary Assistant certificate program equips you with the skills and knowledge to thrive in diverse animal care settings, working with companion animals, exotic pets and even large animals. A Veterinary Assistant is an integral member of the veterinary team, with responsibilities ranging from general care and attention for animals to administration. Areas of study include: animal anatomy, animal behaviour, animal restraint, nursing and surgical care for animals, animal grooming, animal nutrition, administrative support, clerical support. Learning is delivered through comprehensive classroom sessions to build your technical knowledge, along with on- and off-campus labs for vital hands-on training. Following successful completion of the semesters, your learning culminates with a field placement to give you real, practical experience of what your career entails. While the program focuses on companion animals, you will also learn about care for exotic animals, laboratory animals, wildlife and agricultural animals. This opens the door to many different and interesting career paths in a variety of settings.