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Best Veterinary Assistant Courses for Aspiring Caregivers

4 minute read

By Advertorial

A career as a veterinary assistant is perfect for any compassionate animal lover looking to make a meaningful difference. These dedicated professionals play a crucial role in providing care and support to animals in veterinary clinics, hospitals, and shelters. This career requires proper training and thankfully, there are plenty of options to choose from! If you’re interested in a career as a veterinary assistant, you can find a wide variety of courses with an online search right now.

What is a Veterinary Assistant?

A veterinary assistant is a vital member of the veterinary healthcare team. These professionals work closely with veterinarians and veterinary technicians to ensure the well-being of animals. Duties typically include feeding and grooming animals, restraining them during examinations, assisting with surgeries, and maintaining a clean and sterile environment in clinics or hospitals.

How Much Does This Career Pay?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a career as a veterinary assistant not only offers financial support, but also stability. The median annual wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers was $34,740 in May 2022, and employment is on the rise. According to the same source, employment of veterinary assistants is expected to grow by 20% from 2022 to 2032 which is much faster than most other occupations.

What to Look for in a Veterinary Assistant Course

Choosing the right veterinary assistant course is a crucial first step in your career journey. Here are some key factors to consider when evaluating your options:

Top 4 Veterinary Assistant Courses to Consider

Penn Foster Career School: Veterinary Assistant Program

Price: Varies; often on sale
Duration: Self-paced
Accreditation: AVMA CVTEA

Penn Foster offers an affordable and comprehensive online veterinary assistant program. With a focus on hands-on training, this course covers essential topics such as animal anatomy, pharmacology, and surgical preparation. They also offer flexible online courses for self-paced learning. By enrolling in one of only three NAVTA-approved online veterinary assistant schools, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) exam.

Pima Medical Institute: Veterinary Assistant Certificate

Price: Varies by location
Duration: 35 weeks
Accreditation: ABHES

Pima Medical Institute offers an on-campus veterinary assistant certificate program with a strong focus on hands-on training. You’ll gain essential skills needed to excel in this rewarding field. Covering a wide range of clinical and administrative competencies, you’ll delve into animal nursing, surgical procedures, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging, and in-office tasks. Whether you aspire to work in a veterinary clinic, animal hospital, or other animal care settings, this program provides the knowledge and expertise to assist veterinarians effectively.

VetBloom: Veterinary Assistant Training

Price: $395
Duration: Self-paced
Accreditation: None

Accredited by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), VetBloom’s online training program spans five modules, incorporating written materials, engaging webinars, quizzes, a mid-term exam, and a final exam. A hands-on clinical externship, totaling a minimum of 120 hours, is also part of the curriculum. This practical experience takes place in a veterinary clinic or hospital under the guidance of an externship supervisor.

Successful completion of both the online coursework and the hands-on training earns graduation honors and an invitation to sit for the national Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) exam.

Coursera: Animal Welfare and Behaviour

Price: Free (audit) or $49/month (certificate)
Duration: Self-paced
Accreditation: Yes (with certificate)

If you’re looking for a free course, Coursera offers “Animal Welfare and Behaviour,” which provides insights into animal care and welfare, a valuable foundation for veterinary assistant work. This flexible course allows for a self-paced learning and the freedom to start whenever suits you best! With course materials and quizzes available at your fingertips whenever you need them, you can deepen your knowledge of animal welfare at your convenience.

Start Your Search Today!

Embarking on a career as a veterinary assistant is a noble choice that allows you to make a positive impact on the lives of animals. To get started, explore the options presented here, keeping in mind your goals, budget, and preferred learning style.

Whether you choose an accredited program or a more budget-friendly option, the right veterinary assistant course will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in this rewarding profession. Take the next step by conducting further research online and find the perfect course to start your journey as an aspiring caregiver for animals.

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Our comparison website is made up of our own views and opinions. The scoring is determined at our own discretion and should not be used for accuracy purposes. We are able to provide this service for free thanks to the referral fees we receive from a number of service providers. These referral fees may affect the rankings and score assigned to specific vendors. Furthermore, though many vendors appear on our sites, this does not imply endorsement of any kind. The information and vendors which appear on this site is subject to change at any time.

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