Veterinary Assistant

Do you love animals? Have you ever thought about a career as a veterinary assistant? This intensive course will provide the information you need to become a productive member of a veterinary team. The course is designed for people who want to work as veterinary assistants at veterinary hospitals and for those already employed in related positions. Upon completion of the course, you will also have the opportunity to gain access to an Externship Starter Kit.

Are you looking for veterinary assistant schools near you? The course covers all the requirements that hospitals and veterinarians' offices look for, and more! You'll learn about every aspect of veterinary assisting, including anatomy and physiology, animal restraint, laboratory sample collection, assisting in surgery and dentistry, prescription preparation, and taking radiographs.

You'll also learn how to interact professionally with clients and gain the expertise you need to educate them about key topics in pet care, such as nutrition, vaccinations, and administering medication. The course concludes with a lesson to prepare you for the job market, in which you'll see how to create an effective resume, advance your expertise, and develop strong interview skills. You will truly learn everything you need to know to be successful in your new career.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows XP or later.
• Mac: OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Flash Player. Click here to download the Flash Player.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download the Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

• Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant, by Paula Pattengale

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course.

A high school diploma or equivalent is recommended but not essential.

1. Can I register for programs if I am an international student?

Yes, because ed2go programs are online, you never have to actually travel to the school.  Most schools offer telephone or online registration.

2. How long does it take to complete a program?

All of our programs are self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start them when you want and finish them at your own pace.  Upon registering, you're given six months to complete this program. 

3. Do I have to buy additional materials?

All the materials you'll need are included, and their cost will be covered by your tuition. ed2go will ship all materials ground service upon enrollment.

4. Can I get financial assistance?

ed2go courses are non-credit courses, so they do not qualify for federal aid. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses.

5. What happens when I complete the program?

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school.

6. Am I guaranteed a job?

ed2go programs will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. We don't provide direct job placement services, but our career counselors will help you build your resume and are available to give advice on finding your first job. Instructors will also be available to use as a professional reference upon completion of the program. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

7. Who will be my instructor?

Each student is paired up with an instructor for one-on-one interaction. The instructor will be available (via e-mail) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our facilitators are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach.

8. What software or hardware do I need in order to take online programs and what are the system requirements?

In order to take our online programs, you must have access to a computer and the Internet. You can access the program contents from any Web-enabled computer. You don't have to use the same computer to log-in to the program every time. We recommend that you have a word-processing program (Microsoft Word is best) and the latest version of Internet Explorer.

9. Can I use a Mac?

Yes, you can use a Mac for this program.

10. How can I get more information about the program?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, please feel free to contact us via LIVE chat (click the button toward the top of the page). If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please feel free to send us a question using the "Contact Us" form to the right. You may also call us at 1-855-520-6806. We will answer your questions promptly.

11. When can I start the program?

Our programs are all open enrollment. You can register and start the program as soon as you are ready.

Please note: Once the program curriculum is accessed online or through submission of a material shipment confirmation, refunds cannot be issued.

12. Does this program provide a veterinary assistant certification?

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America has a certification program that began in 2012. Currently, this requires attending a college that also has a veterinary technician certification program. Once NAVTA creates a way for online programs to lead to certification, we will be exploring this avenue.

13. Can I work at a veterinary hospital with the training from this program?

Yes. The duties that each member of the hospital can perform are regulated by the licensing board for that state or province. By taking this program, you will obtain a veterinary-specific skill set. This will put you far ahead of other applicants who haven’t shown the desire and ambition to take a program like this. This, along with your work ethic and personality are the factors that come into play in getting a position at a veterinary hospital.

14. Does this program prepare for any state licensure?

No, this program does not prepare for any state licensure. In addition, students will not participate in any fieldwork experience during the course of this program.

The time allotted to complete your program has been calculated based on the number of hours for each program, so don't worry too much about not completing in time. If, after a concerted effort, you are still unable to complete, your Student Advisor will help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that a fee may be charged for an extension.