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Veterinary Assisting

Veterinary Assisting

In this program, you will explore various animal species, anatomy, and physiology. You will gain animal care skills by studying pathogens, performing health assessments, and learning the essentials of veterinary care. You will connect your scientific knowledge to the business side of the industry by learning how to manage financial reports, create scheduling plans, and safely work in a professional veterinary environment.

A person with long dark hair tied in a ponytail works in an office setting, operating a machine.

Career Expectations

  • Handle various small animals (cats/dogs/rodents/rabbits/birds/reptiles)
  • Care for animals/provide companionship
  • Use equipment associated with small/large animals
  • Use various types of bedding (straw/aspen/paper/corncobs)
  • Maintain safe/sanitary habitats for various types of animals
  • Extended standing, stoop/bend, carry/lift objects < 80 pounds
  • Hold/restrain animals during examinations
  • Use gross/fine motor skills (restraining/weighing animals)
  • Prepare labels/samples for laboratory examination
  • Prepare medical reports/treatments and deliver care recommendations
  • Assist with euthanizing/disposal of animals
  • Prepare veterinary treatment instruments/supplies/medications
  • Distinguish details/differences visually and differentiate various sounds

A tech tends to a black and white corgi on a grooming table in a bright room.

Ohio Department of Education & Workforce Development Courses

Year 1

  • Animal Health
  • Animal Anatomy and Physiology

Year 2

  • Veterinary Science 
  • Business Management for Agriculture and Environmental Systems

 

View complete course guide here

Next Ready Skills

At Great Oaks, you’ll do more than learn a trade; you’ll master NextReady skills like clear communication and problem-solving that help you get hired. You will get a head start on building a professional reputation for being dependable, adaptable, and technically skilled before you even graduate

Effective Communicators

Provide health updates to owners, be aware of changes in animal behavior to ensure safety, and give/receive feedback from other animal-care professionals.

Critical Thinkers

Utilize reliable research to manage species-specific needs, analyze animal issues to propose solutions, and reflect on learning to share with others.

Adapt­able Navigators

Modify care protocols for various species, quickly adjust their handing techniques when disposition changes unexpectedly, and persevere through challenges when training animals.

Account­able Employees

Maintain the welfare of all animals under care, take ownership of feeding and care, maintain respect toward owners/managers/coworkers, and practice agricultural ethics.

Skilled Professionals

Use current behavior-led animal care/restraint techniques for animal/handler safety and follow sanitation procedures to provide high-quality industry standard care for client pets.

Bottom Line: If you love animals, aren’t afraid of the medical side of care, and want a hands-on career supporting veterinarians, Veterinary Assisting may be right for you.

Contact the Instructors

Elaine Sloan

Diamond Oaks

Kim Brown

Live Oaks

Anna Bellotti

Scarlet Oaks