College Certificate - Veterinary Assistant (VETA)

The Veterinary Assistant certificate program prepares students to assist veterinary professionals in the practice of veterinary medicine within animal care settings. Throughout the program, students gain the knowledge and skills required to support veterinary professionals, including safe handling and restraint techniques, general companion animal care, and administrative and reception duties. Through lectures, labs, and simulations, students develop skills in basic diagnostic laboratory techniques, radiography, surgical support procedures, and client service.

Graduates may pursue a range of occupations as members of veterinary health-care teams. Employment opportunities may be available in veterinary clinics, zoos, wildlife centres, pet stores, animal shelters, and grooming facilities.

Graduates are prepared to provide clients with current information about the general health and nutritional requirements of their pets, as recommended by veterinary professionals. They can provide humane and ethical nursing care to dogs and cats within the regulations and laws governing the veterinary profession. Graduates can also assist with veterinary diagnostic imaging procedures, including patient positioning and the processing of images required to produce diagnostic-quality radiographs.

The program prepares graduates to collect and process samples from veterinary patients for diagnostic testing. They learn to prepare equipment and workspaces for surgical procedures, maintain aseptic conditions, and assist with the handling and preparation of veterinary pharmaceuticals within the scope of practice of a veterinary assistant.

Graduates develop the ability to perform administrative and reception duties professionally and ethically. They are also trained to maintain an orderly and sanitary animal care workplace by using appropriate disinfecting agents and following recognized biohazard disposal protocols.

In addition, graduates can apply basic entrepreneurial strategies to identify and respond to new opportunities. They are able to identify and interpret animal behaviours and body language to safely restrain and care for companion animals in clinical settings.

Georgian College is accredited by the Canadian Council on Animal Care as a “Good Animal Practice” facility and is licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. The Veterinary Teaching Facility is accredited by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario as a companion animal hospital.