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What is a Veterinary Assistant?

A veterinary assistant or veterinarian assistant works in conjunction with veterinarians providing treatment, aid, and care to ill, injured, and recovering animals.  A veterinary assistant works closely with a licensed veterinarian treating animals via specialized care and surgical procedures.  Both veterinarians and veterinary assistants are expected to provide accurate, timely diagnosis and treatment plans on behalf of pets, animals, hospitals, clinics, labs, zoos, and livestock.  Some veterinary assistant will find themselves working in private clinics, animal shelters, or at an animal companion center.

Veterinary assistants will typically work in a veterinary hospital tasked with both technical and administrative duties.  In most animal hospitals, a veterinary assistant will be  responsible for:

  • Patient Intake
  • Preparing Animals for Surgery
  • Collecting Samples
  • Counseling Animal Owners
  • Recording Medical Histories
  • Assisting During Surgery
  • Preparing Equipment for Surgery
  • Providing Postoperative Care

Vet assistants are required to be capable, knowledgeable, courteous, and empathetic.  A veterinary assistant will work with other assistants under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian in an animal hospital or clinical setting.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$26,810

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

79,990

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2025 Best Veterinary Assistant Schools

Stanbridge University (Irvine, CA) private technical college focused on providing education and skills training for both students and adults. Several programs in Stanbridge are delivered through on-campus lectures and training, some are available online through the Stanbridge University Edverum. The Associate of Science in Veterinary Technology program prepares students to be licensed vet techs. The university provides hands-on training using state-of-the-art facilities.

Acceptance Rate

63.33

Tuition

$33,751 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Midwest Institute (Fenton, MO) is a career college that serves learners in St. Louis and Fenton. The Institute manages programs that relate to healthcare. It awards an Associate of Occupational Studies degree to future veterinary technicians. The program provides extensive hands-on training and a comprehensive field experience. Students are trained to assume roles across animal and research facilities. 

Acceptance Rate

76.47

Tuition

$14,680 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Great Lakes Institute of Technology is a two year private career college dedicated to offering a practical education for students located in and around Erie. Students may choose from a few areas of study, including:

  • Personal and Culinary Services
  • Health and Clinical Professions
  • Education

Over the past several years Great Lakes Institute of Technology has awarded degrees to over 730 students with more than 75% of students who start the program complete it. Over twenty different programs are offered at Great Lakes Institute of Technology. The more popular programs are listed below:

  • Cosmetology
  • Medical Assistant
  • Veterinary Assistant
  • Nursing Assistant
  • Surgical Technologist

To help support students, Great Lakes Institute of Technology may offer support services like those listed below:

  • Night and weekend classes available
  • Counseling assistance
  • Employment search assistance

The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges has accredited the instruction & training provided by Great Lakes Institute of Technology for over thirty-four straight years. Please visit glit.edu for more information on programs offered and consumer disclosures.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$30,000 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Purdue University- Main Campus (West Lafayette, IN) is one of the best public research universities in the country. The university leads on agricultural research, engineering, and environmental studies. The College of Veterinary Medicine offers a Doctoral and a Veterinary Nursing program. The College also manages several undergraduate and post-baccalaureate and post-graduate programs for interested students. The Veterinary Assistant Nursing program awards bachelor’s and associate’s degrees. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination. Students are prepared to take on roles across a variety of settings or pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. 

Acceptance Rate

59.83

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

University of Massachusetts (Amherst, MA) is a public research university that extends its academic programs into five campuses and several satellite campuses. University of Massachusetts-Amherst offers veterinary and animal sciences programs. It grants both undergraduate and graduate degrees. UMass offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Technology. The program equips students with basic science and veterinary medicine courses as well as general education. Graduates of this program can assume roles across veterinary medicine or biomedical research.

Acceptance Rate

63.8

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Central Coast College, located in Salinas, California, offers career training to its students. The school believes in providing a high quality education that result in qualified professional. The school values its students, and strives to create an atmosphere that is enjoyable as well as conducive to success. In addition to the education provided in classrooms, the school helps students develop proper work habits, a mature attitude, and a positive self image. Central Coast College was founded in 1983, with one program and 20 students. Today the school has 200 students and offers six programs of study.

Academics

Central Coast College offers programs in high demand careers. Courses are taught by professionals with experience in their respective fields. Graduates of the programs will receive diplomas demonstrating they have learned the skills and obtained the knowledge necessary to enter the work force in their field of study. All programs take less than a year to complete, though their overall length will vary based on the complexity of the program.

Programs offered at Central Coast College:

Admissions and Financial Aid

Students interested in enrolling at Central Coast College are asked to contact the school and speak with an admissions advisor. During the phone discussion advisors will assist students in determining which program they wish to enroll in and identify goals for the future. Once completed, student may submit an online application and will be contacted after the application is received. Students in need of financial aid should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility and awards. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans and work study programs.

Central Coast has a single campus location in Salinas, California and is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) and approved to operate in California by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Disclosure information: http://www.centralcoastcollege.edu/disclosures/

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$15,550 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI) is a public research university and served as a model for future land grant schools in the United States. It was founded as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, a higher institution that pioneered in teaching scientific agriculture. The College of Veterinary Medicine offers a Veterinary Nursing program, formerly called as the Veterinary Technology Program. Students can choose between earning a Certificate of Completion or pursuing a Bachelor’s degree. These programs provide essential foundational courses,  comprehensive veterinary nursing instructions, and training through clinical laboratory procedures. Students of both programs are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam. 

Acceptance Rate

71.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah) is a private university focused on providing undergraduate education. The university is also providing a few master’s and doctoral programs. BYU has satellite campuses in Jerusalem and Salt Lake City. It is managed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The university offers a wide-range of academic programs from Agriculture, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Communication, Business, and others. The university also has a wide range of healthcare and medical programs. The university offers Pre Veterinary Preceptorship under the Biology department. It is a course that provides real world training on veterinary medicine under a clinical setting, supplemented with academic assignments.

Acceptance Rate

67.49

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Lancaster County Career and Technology Center, located in Willow Street, Pennsylvania, is a center for career education that offers many choices to those who are looking to jumpstart their current career and those who want to pursue a new one. LCCTC offers many programs of study, as well as lots of student services to help students succeed and achieve their goals. Many career certificate programs of study are offered at LCCTC for adults and high school students. These programs include: advanced manufacturing, agriscience, construction technologies, consumer services, culinary arts, health care, information technology, and more. They also offer flexible programs for those adults who also work a full time job. These flexible programs include: culinary arts, construction, transportation logistics, and visual communications. Lancaster County Career and Technology Center offers a wide array of student services that are aimed at helping students be successful. These student services include: career planning and job placement, counseling services, English as a second language classes, financial aid officers, scholarship programs, guided tours of the campus, and a compilation of student forms available online for convenience. There is also an adult education program available at LCCTC for those who need help preparing for the GED exam. These classes are complementary and are led by a certified GED instructor. Take the time to learn more about LCCTC today by researching their website further.  Additional insights on career certificates and various degree programs are available via the Lancaster official website.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$14,965 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$21,092 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

25:1

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona (Pomona, CA) is one of the two "Polytechnic" universities in the California State University System. CPP is known for its project-based approach in learning and learn-by-doing coursework. The polytechnic university offers more than 100 fields of study covering undergraduate majors, graduate programs, and professional or vocational courses. Animal Science is an undergraduate major that provides foundational courses and better hands-on experience than a pre-vet undergraduate track. Students can also customize this program based on their goals. They can choose to pursue private practice, research, public health or business administration.

Acceptance Rate

54.59

Student to Faculty Ratio

28:1

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$16,123 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

35:1

International Business College (Indianapolis, IN) is a for-profit college that awards diplomas and associate degrees. The Veterinary Technology program provides professional knowledge and hands-on experience to students through an eight-week externship. Vet Tech is an 18-month program that leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree. Graduates are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam. Passing this exam is one of the requirements before becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician in the state of IN. 

Acceptance Rate

79.33

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Vet Tech Institute of Houston (Houston, TX) extends its education to six locations across the United States. Students can earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Veterinary Technology degree within at least 18 months. A two month externship is also conducted to develop the skills of the students. The program is recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). 

Acceptance Rate

64.86

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$14,882 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

25:1

International Business College (Indianapolis, IN) is a for-profit college that awards diplomas and associate degrees. The Vet Tech degree provides professional knowledge and hands-on experience to students through an eight-week externship. Vet Tech is an 18-month program that leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree. Graduates are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam. Passing this exam is one of the requirements before becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician in the state of IN. 

Acceptance Rate

73.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

21:1

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$30,191 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$14,335 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

25:1

Community Care College, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been in operation for sixteen years. Since its founding the school has been providing educations in various careers. The school is dedicated to providing a quality education to its students, and to assist them in finding jobs after graduation through its career support program.

Academics

Community Care College provides programs in high demand fields. The school prepares individuals for entry level work in their field of study. The skills and education allow students for immediate job placement after graduation. Programs are placed in one of five categories: Health care, business, lifestyle, education and continuing education. Continuing education courses are taken to renew certifications or licenses, or to refresh ones education in a given subject.

Programs offered include:

Admissions and Financial Aid

Students interested in enrolling at the Community Care College can request information from the school for a particular program or can immediately apply online. Financial aid is available to eligible students. Students must contact the school to begin the financial aid process. The school does honor veterans through the G.I. Bill.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$17,891 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

25:1

Are you looking for a career in demand? Then nursing is an outstanding option. The Champlain Valley Technical Education and Career Center offers an outstanding program in nursing. The school is located in Plattsburgh, New York. Currently, the medium salary for nurses is $64,690. Not to mention that you will help people while earning a good salary. The cost of tuition is $9,950.

The program requires 1160 hours of study and is accredited. This program has an articulation agreement with North Country Community College for those wishing to continue their educational advancement to a Registered Nursing degree.

In order to apply for admission, students must:

  • Complete the standard application
  • Take entrance examination (TEAS)
  • Selected applicants will be invited for an on-campus interview
  • Send in official high school transcript

Champlain Valley Technical Education and Career Center offers small class sizes. This allows future nurses to get the hands on experience they need. Students will also take part in clinical experiences to ensure they have the skills needed to enter the workforce. Nursing is a rewarding career that has a lot to offer.

Prospective students can contact the school at (518) 561-0100, Ext. 241 for further information.

Acceptance Rate

27.88

Tuition

$10,607 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

2:1

University of New Hampshire (Durnham, NH) is a public research university. It is organized into 11 schools and colleges offering a long list of academic programs. The Thompson School of Applied Science awards associate degrees in seven academic programs including Applied Animal Science, Forest Technology, and Veterinary Assistant. Students taking veterinary technician are trained to assist veterinarians in providing comprehensive medical care to animal patients. UNH offers transfer credits for students who aim to earn a bachelor’s degree in a four-year university. 

Acceptance Rate

84.03

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Mississippi State University (Starkville, MS) also known as Mississippi State University for Agriculture and Applied Science is a public university that offers baccalaureate, graduate, and professional degree programs. Some of the popular programs in the university are architecture and veterinary medicine. The university is one of the pioneers in offering a four-year bachelor’s degree program in veterinary medical technology. Students are given the opportunity to gain clinical experiences during their senior year. VMT graduates can assume roles across a variety of clinical and research settings. 

Acceptance Rate

53.86

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Overview
The Carver Career and Technical Center located in Charleston, West Virginia provides post secondary education, college courses, and career education programs. Occupational training is offered in the following areas:

  • Automotive Technology
  • Business Technology
  • HVAC Technology
  • Plumbing Technology 
  • Construction Technology 
  • Collisions Repair Technology 
  • Electrical Technology 
  • Health Occupations Science Technology
  • Surgical Technology
  • Dental Assisting
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Respiratory Care
  • Veterinarian Technician
  • Agriscience
  • Cosmetology
  • Culinary Arts
  • Drafting
  • Industrial Fire Management
  • Legal Administrative Assistant
  • Manicuring
  • Welding
  • Event Planning and Design Production

CCTC offers a Career Plus program which is designed to assist former high school students in acquiring their diploma. CCTC services also include:

  • Career Counseling 
  • Interview Training 
  • Special Needs Coordination 
  • On the Job Training 
  • Resume Preparation Training
  • Clinical Training

Admission Process
The admission process for entry into a training program offered by CCTC requires a high school diploma. Students may apply by downloading an application from the school website. Financial aid is available for students in need of tuition assistance. CCTC provides Job Placement Assistance for students who have successful completed a training program.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$6,653 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Memphis is part of the Tennessee Technology Center System that provides competitive training to students who wish to have better employment opportunities in highly in demand industries.  The school is accredited with the Council on Occupational Education and has achieved a high completion rate of 65% and licensure rate of 95% among its students.

To meet the vision, mission and goals of the school to provide empowerment to students as well as to the local economy, the school hired experienced faculty members and staffs as well as built state-of-the-art facilities to help promote higher learning to the students. Currently, the school offers fulltime programs, online degrees and industry trainings.

The fulltime programs offered by TTC-Memphis include aircraft mechanics, assistant animal laboratory technology, aviation maintenance, barbering, building construction technology, collision repair, business system technology, graphic design, pharmacy technology, truck driving, welding, dental assisting  and computer information technology. What makes TTC-Memphis great is that offers many unique programs that other TTC campuses do not and this is the reason why many students enroll in this school than other campuses under the system.

The tuition fee in TTC-Memphis is governed by the Tennessee Board of Regent thus it still remained at $184 since last academic year (2012-2013). Since the school is under the network governed by TBR, students who wish to transfer to community colleges and universities to seek higher education can do so without any problems.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$6,011 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Lincoln Memorial University (Harrogate, TN) is a private liberal arts university that offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The College of Veterinary Medicine manages the DeBusk Veterinary Teaching Center that provides students with extensive practical experience and educational opportunities. The Veterinary Medical Technology program awards associate and bachelor’s degrees. Students are trained through hands-on experience with animals, preventative medicine, and service to the community. 

Acceptance Rate

49.58

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

How to Become a Veterinary Assistant

In order to become a veterinary assistant, a student must follow a series of steps necessary to advance in the field of veterinary medicine. The steps are outlined below to help you quickly navigate the series of items.

Step 1 Research Accredited Vet Schools

Initially, you are tasked to find accredited universities and colleges offering veterinary assistant programs. Researching schools can be a simple as starting with a geographic region or as complex as layering the overall cost of attending with professor tenure and alumni programs. Alternatively, we have created a set of proprietary matching tools to help you quickly aggregate veterinary assistant degree programs. You can assess the school's fit and research the school after requesting admissions information from our portal.

Step 2 Apply for Veterinary School

With your college list in-hand, you will now begin to apply for admissions. Take the time to carefully read all instructions on the application. Go to great lengths to highlight all relevant work experience and volunteer experience you have with animals. Volunteering at an animal shelter or animal clinic shows initiative, discipline and passion that schools look for in prospective students.

Step 3 Attend Veterinary College

After hearing back from your top schools, you will begin to register for classes. Living on-campus will require you to figure out housing, parking, meals, and books before classes start. Online veterinary assistant degrees still come with a transition but not to the extent as moving on campus. After meeting with your academic advisor, you can map our your degree path and courses. A two-year associate's degree will provide you a science-rich window into veterinary medicine in addition to general education classes like sociology, creative writing, and philosophy. On the other hand, a certificate program may be an ideal path for a veterinary assistant depending on your state requirements and employer preference.

Step 4 Graduate, Exams, Certification, & Work

After passing all classes in the veterinary assistant program, you can move to the next phase of the process. Depending on your state, you may be required to pass a standardized examination for veterinary assistants. After meeting all state-specific certification and licensing requirements, you can apply for jobs at licensed veterinary clinics or licensed animal hospitals of your choice. After a few years of valuable work experience, you may choose to earn additional veterinary certificates, DMV, or VMD. Continue to learn, grow, and add relevant skills throughout your career as learning does not stop in school.

Veterinary Assistants Education Requirements

Aprogram in veterinary assistance will provide an individual with the skills and knowledge necessary to work with animals in a clinical environment. A veterinary assistant can obtain a certificate, associates or bachelors degree through various institutions.

The length of the program will vary based on the type of degree pursued, but it will average between one and two years. A veterinary assistant will be responsible for the care of animals, maintaining a sterile environment, and treatment of animals under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Veterinary Assistants Classes

Students enrolled in a veterinary assistant school will learn a variety of sciences related to animal biology and physiology, as well as courses providing instruction and regarding the care and treatment of a variety of animals. Students will work in clinical environments under the supervision of professionals to better understand the tasks and duties of their position and how to perform them.

Depending on the program and its length, the education provided becomes more in depth and allows for a greater number of responsibilities. A veterinary assistant program may include classes in:

  • Animal Restraint
  • Small Animal Nursing
  • Medical Procedures
  • Pharmacology and Phlebotomy
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Bloodborne Pathogen Training
  • Surgical Preparation and Assisting
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Operations Management & Office Procedures
  • Biology
  • Animal Identification

Difference Between a Veterinary Assistant and Veterinary Technician?

The primary differences between a veterinary assistant and veterinary technician comes down to education requirements and job duties.  A veterinary technician is required to complete an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree and become licensed, certified, and/or registered to practice in their state of residence.

The requirements for vet techs vary by state and must be confirmed which credential is necessary.  A veterinary assistant will often have fewer college credits and requirements placed upon them prior to entering the work force depending the state and employer mandates.

From a job duty perspective, a veterinary assistant will help with a variety of administrative and remedial medical tasks around an office or clinic.  On the other hand, a veterinary technician will handle more complex tasks and jobs from taking x-rays to providing emergency care to injured animals and laboratory procedures to nursing care.

Schools Other Students Requested Information From:

Employment Opportunities for Vet Assistants

Veterinary assisting is expected to grow over the coming years as the need for animal care and the effectiveness of treatment increases. Though a degree is not necessary to become an assistant and much of the training will be on the job, job availability is trending toward those who pursue a degree.

As the role of the assistant becomes more complex and given more responsibility, positions will more likely be granted to qualified, educated individuals. Many veterinary hospitals operate 24 hours allowing for a flexible schedule.

Veterinary assistants will work under professional veterinarians by providing day to day care for ailing animals and assistance, logging progress and notes, assisting in the operating room, and fulfilling an overall support role within a veterinary hospital. Assistants may also be responsible for initial contact with pet owners, and thus must be cordial and professional to put the owner at ease in regard to his or her pet's health and safety.

Veterinary Assistant Job Duties

A veterinary assistant will have the knowledge and job training to help treat a variety of injuries and illnesses of pets and other animals.  Veterinary assistants will spend their time working in conjunction with a veterinarian or veterinary technician to examine animals, provide a medical diagnosis, treat wounds, rehabilitate animals, provide tests, provide inoculations, counsel pet owners, and help during surgery.

Veterinary Assistant Salary

Learning how much vet assistants make can be discovered here. The average salary of a veterinary assistant is $26,140 per year with the top ten percent making nearly forty-thousand dollars annually. This is primarily due to the current demands and expectations in veterinary medicine. As job responsibilities and work experience rise, so too will the overall compensation for veterinary assistants.

Industry growth for veterinary assistants is poised to rocket 19% over the coming decade. Surveys produced by the BLS indicate this large jump in vet assistants will occur year over year adding some sixteen thousand jobs. Job growth will translate to opportunities for entry-level positions and career growth as animal clinics grow and expand their services.

Students interested in veterinary assistance may also wish to consider a career as a medical assistant, pharmacy technician, and occupational therapist assistant. For additional information about a career in veterinary medicine, check out our Complete Guide for Veterinarians on our blog. You can also visit the AVMA then read our blog post titledTop College Degrees for Animal Lovers for additional information.

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