Turn your passion for animal care and welfare into a rewarding career.

The one-year Veterinary Assistant Ontario College Certificate program prepares students to support veterinarians and animal care teams in a range of professional settings. The program responds to the ongoing demand for skilled veterinary support staff by developing graduates who are ready to contribute effectively within clinical and other animal care-focused environments.

You build practical skills and foundational knowledge essential to veterinary assistant roles. You develop competencies in:

• animal behaviour and handling
• preventative medicine
• medical treatments
• infection control
• surgical preparation
• laboratory procedures
• grooming techniques
• client service
• workplace professionalism

Strong communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills are emphasized to support positive interactions with clients, colleagues, and animal care professionals. Your practical experience is centered on companion animals with some exposure to other species and takes place in on-site and off-site animal care settings.

You develop the skills and confidence needed for entry-level veterinary support and animal care positions. Employment opportunities include Veterinary Assistant roles in settings such as:

• veterinary clinics and hospitals
• animal shelters
• rescue organizations
• research and laboratory animal facilities
• grooming salons
• boarding operations
• wildlife and rehabilitation centers
• pet care businesses

Careers

Graduates may obtain employment in various veterinary support and animal care positions, with job titles such as animal care assistant, laboratory assistant, surgical assistant, research assistant, kennel attendant, grooming assistant, nutritional consultant, sales associate, client service representative, office administrator.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Perform daily tasks in an office, hospital, or animal care facility following established protocols and procedures to ensure high-quality service and compliance with standards.
2. Communicate with clients and intraprofessional veterinary team members in routine and complex situations to promote collaborative patient-centered care.
3. Assist with basic husbandry and nursing care across a range of animal species to support their health, comfort and well-being.
4. Assist in assessing patient to identify health concerns and communicate findings to veterinary staff for effective treatment planning.
5. Assist, under supervision, with the handling and preparation of dispensed pharmaceutical products in compliance with regulatory standards and protocols.
6. Assist in collecting, handling and processing biological specimens to support accurate diagnosis and treatment of animal health conditions.
7. Assist with diagnostic imaging for patients in compliance with health and safety standards to achieve accurate results.
8. Prepare surgical and dental suite and assist in perioperative procedures to ensure the animal's safety and wellness.
9. Develop and apply strategies to improve work performance and uphold industry standards in veterinary and animal care environments.
10. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

VETERINARY ASSISTANT
Program Code 1612X01FWO

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at www.ontariocolleges.ca.

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants please visit this link for application
process information: https://algonquincollege.my.site.com/myac360/s/

For further information on the admissions process, please visit:
Admissions - Registrar's Office https://algonquincollege.com/ro/admissions/

Program Resources

Program Requirements and Expectations

Technology Requirements
All applicants are expected to own a laptop with a functioning camera and microphone, demonstrate computer proficiency, and have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Program Schedule and Duration
The one-year certificate program is delivered full time over two consecutive semesters. The program begins each May. The second semester starts in September and is an extended semester that concludes at the end of January with completion of the field placement component.

Health, Safety, and Immunization Requirements
To be eligible to participate in laboratory, clinical, and placement activities, all Level 01 students must provide proof of tetanus and pre-exposure rabies immunizations prior to program entry. Students are responsible for all costs associated with the pre-exposure rabies series. Immunization records must be submitted to a third-party registration agency; applicable service fees apply.

All Level 01 students are also required to complete online WHMIS and Ontario Health and Safety Awareness training provided at no cost by Algonquin College.

Attendance and Scheduling Expectations
Attendance at all scheduled on-campus laboratory sessions is mandatory, as absences may adversely affect student success. Applicants should be prepared for early morning, evening, weekend, and holiday hours related to animal care and off-site laboratory activities. On-campus husbandry rotations may include up to 10 days within a semester where students provide patient care in the early morning, midday, and evening, seven days per week including holidays. Travel expenses associated with program activities are the responsibility of the student.

Field Placement (VET0050)
Students must successfully complete all program courses to be eligible for VET0050 Field Placement. VET0050 Field Placement occurs during the ninth month of the program. Students are required to complete 100 hours in January at an approved animal care or veterinary facility within the community. Students are expected to demonstrate flexibility and professionalism by accommodating the work schedules and operational needs of the placement facility, which may include early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Placements are carefully assigned to ensure supportive learning environments, and students are placed in facilities to expand their professional network in the animal care industry.