Online Veterinary Assistant Training
Veterinary assistants take charge of making sure office visits and procedures go smoothly for animals under veterinary care. Our 100% online course will train you to become a veterinary assistant, so you can turn your love of animals into a rewarding career.
Our online veterinary assistant training course is designed for animal lovers who want to turn their passion into a career helping animals. This comprehensive program equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to support veterinarians and ensure the health and well-being of animals in a clinical setting. You will study anatomy and physiology, animal restraint, laboratory procedures, emergency care, small and large animal assisting, exotic species, veterinary dentistry, pharmacy procedures, and more.
In addition to technical training, this veterinary assistant course teaches you how to work with clients, provide education on pet nutrition, vaccinations, and medication, and communicate effectively within a veterinary practice. You will also gain career preparation skills such as resume building and interview guidance, ensuring you are ready to step confidently into your new role. By completing this veterinary assistant certification program, you will be fully prepared to provide high-quality care and support for animals.
Veterinary Assistant Training FAQs
What does a veterinary assistant do?
The number one job of a veterinary assistant is to assist the veterinarian and veterinarian technicians with basic tasks. As a veterinary assistant, you may feed, weigh, and take the temperature of various animals. You may also help give medication, clean cages, and provide nursing care for animals when they have surgery or other medical procedures. You may also bathe and exercise animals as needed and help restrain them during treatment. As a veterinary assistant, it is also your responsibility to clean and sterilize equipment and exam rooms. Some veterinary assistants even perform clerical work such as scheduling appointments and speaking with customers as well. The duties vary widely, but all are important to ensuring the health and well-being of animals inside the veterinary practice.
What's the difference between a veterinary assistant and a veterinary technician?
While the people in both these jobs may work in the same location (and potentially with the same animals), they perform very different roles. Veterinary assistants most likely have received training through a certificate program and training on the job by veterinary technicians to help with basic duties like setting up equipment and cleaning areas of the clinic like surgery sites. Veterinary technicians, or vet techs, have a formal education—likely a two- or four-year degree accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. They are also required to pass a licensing exam in most states. In short, veterinary technicians can perform more advanced clinical tasks under a veterinarian's supervision to help treat animals.
Online Veterinary Assistant Training Course
Registration and Enrollment: You will have 6 months of access to this self-paced course. This course is open enrollment. You can enroll and begin at any time.
Prerequisites and Requirements: There are no prerequisites to complete this course. This course is designed to prepare you for a career as a veterinary assistant. You do not need any prior experience or training in this field.
Course Objectives:
- Summarize the roles, responsibilities, and applicable laws and ethics as they pertain to the veterinary healthcare team
- Discuss the fundamentals of animal anatomy and physiology, restraint techniques, and basic examination tasks relevant to veterinary assisting, using proper terminology
- Explain how to perform veterinary assistant pharmacy tasks within the law's scope and discuss vaccinations, infectious diseases, transmission, and prevention
- Describe how to respond appropriately to veterinary medical emergencies, surgeries, and various laboratory procedures
- Understand how to perform the veterinary assistant's responsibilities related to veterinary dentistry
Location: Online
Tuition: $2,795.00
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Course Instructor
Tracy Heyland is a Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT), earning the Academic and Practical Proficiency Award upon graduating. She brings 25+ years of experience in small animal medicine to her teaching, earned the Provincial Instructor Diploma, certified as a Professional Co-Active Coach, and is Fear Free Certified. Tracy has worked in general practice, emergency medicine, veterinary sales, operations management, and teaching positions and runs her own coaching and training company for veterinary teams, leaders, and managers. Giving back to the veterinary profession is a passion of Tracy's, where she volunteers for a veterinary technologist program advisory committee, remotely located spay and neuter projects, and a veterinary technologist association continuing education committee.
Mary Mould has a bachelor's in veterinary technology and a master's in education. She has taught veterinary technology courses for 22 years and distance education for over 24 years. Completing her education through distance learning has been extremely helpful in understanding her students and the variables that go along with distance learning. She has published an article, "Brushing Your Dog's Teeth," in the Veterinary Technology journal and has spoken at the Midwest Veterinary Conference on animal pain management. Mary is also a member of the Association for Veterinary Technology Education (AVTE), Veterinary Support Personnel (VSPN), and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians (NAVTA).
Veterinary Assistants - Employment and Education
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a veterinary assistant is currently just over $37,000 per year. Jobs are expected to increase by 19% through 2033, which is considered much faster than average positions. There should be plenty of job opportunities for veterinary assistants regardless of location.
Job Stats
- Job Outlook: 19% (Much faster than average)
- Number of Jobs, 2023: 118,200
- Median Pay: $37,320 per year
Source: BLS, 2025
