Veterinary
Assisting
Carrington College’s Veterinary Assisting program prepares students for the clinical, lab, and administrative duties required for entry-level employment as a veterinary assistant.
Veterinary Assisting Program Details
What Will I Learn in the Veterinary Assistant Program?
Carrington College’s Veterinary Assisting program prepares students for the clinical, lab, and administrative duties required for entry-level employment as a veterinary assistant. The program concludes with an externship that allows students to practice skills in an actual veterinary health care setting.
The curriculum, which may be delivered in a traditional or blended format, provides students with education in the clinical, laboratory, and administrative duties of a veterinary assistant.
Courses cover animal anatomy and physiology, nursing skills, animal surgical assisting, pharmaceutical chemistry and application, animal restraint and patient services, and front office skills, such as computer basics, telephone communication requirements, and appointment scheduling.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the Veterinary Assisting program, graduates will be able to:
- Complete appropriate veterinary assisting procedures related to animal husbandry, diagnostics, equipment maintenance and client care in a variety of settings.
- Apply basic knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology of multiple species in relation to animal care.
- Maintain a professional and safe work environment.
Locations
Carrington College’s Veterinary Assisting program is available at five locations in three states. To learn more about each location, explore their location pages.
Student Life at Carrington College
We know college is a big step. But education can be the first step in building a better future. Your instructors, administrators, and fellow students are there to help if you ever hit a bump in the road along the way. Carrington College offers a lot of great student support services designed to help you succeed.
Student Finance
From scholarships and grants to loans, we will help you understand how to search and apply for financial aid. Student loans, grants, and scholarships are available to those who qualify.
Tutoring and Study Groups
For help with schoolwork, your instructors and Student Success Center staff are often available for tutoring or you can join in an open student study group.
Externships, Clinical Rotations and Fieldwork
Most programs include an opportunity to learn in the real world before you even graduate! You’ll earn impressive experience that looks great on your resume.
Career Services
Before graduation from our Veterinary Assisting program, we’ll help you with job search strategies with everything from resume writing help to job search support to interview tips.
Veterinary Assistant Career Opportunities
Veterinary assistants provide routine animal care to help veterinarians with their daily tasks. Between 2020 and 2030 employment for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is expected to grow 14%, faster than average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.2
Most veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers work full time and may work holidays or weekends. Expect this industry to continue to grow with the animal rights movement and the demand for better operational procedures for pets.
Cost & Financial Aid
Education is a major investment, but it’s an investment in your future. Every student comes to Carrington with unique financial needs. Carrington College is committed to helping you achieve your education goals. We participate in most financial assistance programs, both federal and state, as well as private financing. Each program has different requirements and application instructions. Student loans, grants, and scholarships are available to those who qualify.
For complete information on current tuition costs, please see page 236 of the Academic Catalog.
The best way for us to understand your financial needs is to meet in person. Call 1-877-206-2106 to make an appointment with our Student Finance Department so we can help you develop your personalized financial plan to achieve your educational goals.
Accreditation and Approvals
Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC/WASC), 428 J Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814; 415- 506-0234, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
Additional information about accreditation, including the filing of complaints against member institutions, can be found at www.accjc.org/.
For comprehensive information on Carrington’s accreditation and approvals, visit carrington.edu/accreditation.
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Veterinary Assistant Career Opportunities
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, increases in consumers’ pet-related spending are expected to drive employment in the veterinary services industry.1 In clinics and other veterinary service establishments, assistants help with various procedures. Demand for veterinary assistants will continue as the demand for these procedures increases.
What Will I Learn?
Veterinary Surgical and Assisting Techniques
Veterinary Hospital Practices
Animal Nursing and Care
Check out our guide on becoming a Veterinary Assistant.
Have you always wanted to work in a veterinary setting, but don’t want to attend school for years? Then a job as a veterinary assistant might be a good career for you. Veterinary assistants work in a variety of roles in veterinary offices and clinical settings supporting the licensed staff with technical tasks.
Vet Assistant FAQ
How long does it take to be a vet assistant?
Carrington College’s hands-on Veterinary Assisting program can be completed in as few as nine months.
What does a vet assistant do?
As stated by the BLS, veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers are responsible for the following tasks:2
- Feeding, bathing, and exercising animals
- Cleaning and disinfecting cages, kennels, and examination and operating rooms
- Restraining animals during examination and laboratory procedures
- Maintaining and sterilizing surgical instruments and equipment
- Monitoring and care for animals after surgery
- Helping provide emergency first aid to sick and injured animals
- Giving medication or immunizations that veterinarians prescribe
- Assisting in collecting blood, urine, and tissue samples
What is the difference between a vet tech and a vet assistant?
Veterinary techs are qualified professionals that can perform higher-level clinical tasks to assist in diagnosing or treating animals, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.2 Vet techs also typically have between two and four years of higher-level education, including an associate or bachelor degree. They must pass a credentialing exam and perform continuing education.
Vet assistants support veterinarians or veterinary technicians in their daily tasks and often perform clerical work. Some of their duties may include performing daily kennel functions, maintaining animals, or spending time on front-end tasks. A main difference between vet techs and vet assistants is that vet assistants complete clerical activities. Additionally, there are veterinary assisting training programs. Some others may learn training on the job, according to the AVMA.
How long does it take to be a vet assistant?
Carrington College’s hands-on Veterinary Assisting program can be completed in as few as nine months.
What does a vet assistant do?
As stated by the BLS, veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers are responsible for the following tasks:2
- Feeding, bathing, and exercising animals
- Cleaning and disinfecting cages, kennels, and examination and operating rooms
- Restraining animals during examination and laboratory procedures
- Maintaining and sterilizing surgical instruments and equipment
- Monitoring and care for animals after surgery
- Helping provide emergency first aid to sick and injured animals
- Giving medication or immunizations that veterinarians prescribe
- Assisting in collecting blood, urine, and tissue samples
What is the difference between a vet tech and a vet assistant?
Veterinary techs are qualified professionals that can perform higher-level clinical tasks to assist in diagnosing or treating animals, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.2 Vet techs also typically have between two and four years of higher-level education, including an associate or bachelor degree. They must pass a credentialing exam and perform continuing education.
Vet assistants support veterinarians or veterinary technicians in their daily tasks and often perform clerical work. Some of their duties may include performing daily kennel functions, maintaining animals, or spending time on front-end tasks. A main difference between vet techs and vet assistants is that vet assistants complete clerical activities. Additionally, there are veterinary assisting training programs. Some others may learn training on the job, according to the AVMA.