Looking for a career that you’re truly passionate about? Becoming a Veterinary Assistant is one of the best ways to turn your love of animals into a fulfilling career! Not only do Veterinary Assistants get to work with animals all day, but they also play an important role in caring for them and making a positive impact on the lives of pets and their owners.
If you’re interested in this career path, this blog post covers everything you need to know about how to become a Veterinary Assistant in BC. Keep reading or click the links below to learn more about Veterinary Assistants’ duties, education, and salary.
How to Become a Veterinary Assistant
Become a Veterinary Assistant with Sprott Shaw College
Ready to learn more or take the next step? Our Admissions Advisors are available to answer any questions you may have about this program, enrollment, or funding options, and they can guide you through enrollment when you’re ready. Click the contact form below, and an advisor will get back to you soon!
Veterinary Assistant Duties
Veterinary Assistants work in veterinary hospitals and animal rescue settings, where they are responsible for assisting veterinarians, performing a variety of tasks related to animal wellness, and fulfilling administrative duties. They play an important role in supporting both the medical team and their clients.
Veterinary Assistants work in veterinary hospitals and animal rescue settings, where they are responsible for assisting veterinarians, performing a variety of tasks related to animal wellness, and fulfilling administrative duties. They play an important role in supporting both the medical team and their clients.
Veterinary Assistants restrain animals during examinations and immunizations. They’re also responsible for preparing for surgical procedures and assisting veterinarians during the procedures. It’s typically a Veterinary Assistant’s duty to maintain a sanitary environment by cleaning up as needed, especially after procedures. Veterinary Assistant duties also involve basic animal grooming, such as cutting nails, brushing teeth, and washing and trimming fur. Veterinary Assistants also communicate the best grooming, care, and diet practices with their patients’ owners.
The other side of Veterinary Assistant duties is the administrative responsibilities. Veterinary Assistants are in charge of documenting and recording patient care by following established guidelines and standards, ensuring that all treatments and observations are recorded and patient files are up to date. Veterinary Assistants also perform receptionist and basic bookkeeping duties, as they operate the front desk at veterinary hospitals and animal rescues.
Although there are many positive and joyful aspects to this career, prospective Veterinary Assistants must be prepared for the physical and emotional demands of the job as well. Veterinary Assistants must have the physical capability to lift and restrain animals of various sizes and temperaments, which comes with the risk of getting bitten and scratched. Veterinary Assistants may also have to assist in treating abused and sick animals and putting down animals that are suffering, which can take an emotional toll.
How to Become a Veterinary Assistant
Veterinary Assistants require a high school diploma and on-the-job training, but most employers require specialized training, such as a certificate from a Veterinary Assistant program. Prospective Veterinary Assistants can obtain their certificate through enrolling and completing a college program, which usually ranges from five to ten months long. Although post-secondary education is not mandatory for this role, job prospects and wages are usually higher for those who have it. Many veterinary clinics and hospitals across BC prefer to hire individuals who have graduated from a Veterinary Assistant program because they are better prepared for the fast-paced environment.
Sprott Shaw College’s Veterinary Assistant program provides students with a combination of academics and the relevant hands-on training they need to thrive in this career. Through in-depth courses on everything from diagnostic methods to parasitology, observation days in the field, and a 4-week hands-on practicum placement, students will graduate with the skills they need to enter the workforce with confidence. Our program is unique in that students get to hear from industry experts who provide insightful information on their areas of expertise, such as pet nutrition and pharmaceuticals. Graduates of our Veterinary Assistant program also receive Fear Free Level 1 certification, which is built into the program to teach strategies to prevent and reduce stress and anxiety in pets.
Veterinary Assistant Salary
According to WorkBC, Veterinary Assistants and similar positions make a median hourly wage of $21. A Veterinary Assistant’s salary is likely to be higher if they have the appropriate education and hands-on experience. In BC, Veterinary Assistants with formal training can expect to make $21 to $27 an hour straight out of school, while those without training typically make around minimum wage. Veterinary Assistants with college education also have faster wage growth compared to those without formal Veterinary Assistant education.
WorkBC projects that there will be 1,160 job openings for Veterinary Assistants and Veterinary Technicians across British Columbia from 2025 to 2035. Many of Sprott Shaw College’s Veterinary Assistant graduates find work through their practicum placement while they’re still in school.
Veterinary Assistants typically work full-time and set hours that align with their place of employment’s hours of operation. Many Veterinary Assistants work 9:00AM – 5:00PM, or similar hours; however, those that work in emergency care may have to work early morning or late night shifts, since animal emergency hospitals are often open late or 24/7.
Become a Veterinary Assistant with Sprott Shaw College
Thanks to our monthly intakes and accelerated program, you can earn your Veterinary Assistant certificate and start your career in just 9 months (39 weeks). With 15 campuses across BC, in-class, combination, and online delivery methods, and small class sizes, Sprott Shaw College’s Veterinary Assistant program provides an accessible and supportive education that meets your needs and prepares you for success.
Ready to take the next step? Our advisors are here to answer your questions and guide you through the enrollment process. Click the button below to fill out a contact form, and an advisor will get back to you soon!