Veterinary Assistant

Do you love working with animals? Are you looking for employment in the animal-care industry? The Veterinary Assistant training program is a great way to begin your career in the animal field. This program dives deeper into the animal-care field focusing on the care of small animals, large animals, and exotic pets in the veterinary profession. It is a 20-week program involving 4 hours of weekly lectures and 4 hours of weekly clinical/internship experience where students complete routine tasks and specialized procedures done in the veterinary hospital. Internships provide each student with an individualized experience working in a veterinary hospital.  Click this link to view our primary clinical training site, Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center. This program follows the National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America (NAVTA) Guidelines for Veterinary Assistant Programs and can be stepping stone to a Veterinary Technician Certification Program or an entry-level position at a veterinary facility.

PREREQUISITES: 1) English language competency. 2) Gray scrub top and pants. 3) Health form required*. Must be physically fit, capable of kneeling to work with larger dogs, and able to lift 40 pounds. 4) Students must provide their own transportation to clinical sites.

* Note: Students are required to be fully vaccinated, and boostered, if eligible, against COVID-19, due to clinical site requirements. This means if you are eligible to receive a booster, and you have not gotten it, you are not considered fully vaccinated. Students are required to be fully-vaccinated by the first day of the Veterinary Assistant lecture. 

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM: 94 hours theory + 56 hours clinical = 150 program hours. Earn 15 CEUs.

Veterinary Assistant  – Students will learn to work safely with small animals, large animals and exotic animals. Restraints, physical care and nursing procedures will be taught in lecture and at clinical sites. Students will learn clinical skills including taking vital signs and weights, trimming nails, administering medications and reconstituting vaccines. The role of the veterinary assistant during specialized procedures including laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, and surgery will be covered. In addition office and ethical procedures will be covered

Upcoming Courses for Spring 2024

Course Registration Info: | CRN: 81605 | Fee: $2,299| 2/26/24-7/11/24

This program consists of two components:  A lecture and a clinical.  Please see below for the schedules of each.

Lecture Schedule:  Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-8 p.m. | Traditional | Location: Snow Hall 507 | Instructor: Mike Lavoie

Clinical Schedule: Meets on Saturdays from 8a.m. to 12p.m.| Clinical | Location: Pieper Veterinary Hospital on Berlin Street in Middletown

REGISTER NOW!

Registration is not guaranteed until payment is received or 3rd party payment is confirmed. 
Upon registration, you will receive an email from Mx-WorkforceDevelopment@MxCC.edu, and in that email, we will include instructions for payment.

Instructions for Making Payments Online

Please click here for step-by-step instructions on how to make payments online. These instructions work for both credit and non-credit (continuing education) courses.

Refund Policy

A full tuition refund can be made if you withdraw from your course at least one working day before the course start date. Once the course has started, refunds are only provided under special circumstances and require a written request to the Workforce Development  and Continuing Education Office. They are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. A refund is not guaranteed.

Necessary Forms

Continuing Education Health Form Adobe Acrobat File

  •  Female Vet Assistant in blue scrubs squats down to hug grey and black dog
  • smiling female vet assistant plays with dog who's lying on back and smiling at camera 
  • Dog being treated by veterinary assistant students 
  • Dog being treated by veterinary assistant students
  • Dog being bathed by veterinary assistant student
  • Dog being treated by veterinary assistant students

$24,000 to $32,000

Amount you’ll earn*

*Bureau of Labor Statistics


Contact Us

For more information about courses, programs, and services, contact us by phone or email.
Phone: 860-343-5865
Email: MX-WorkforceDevelopment@mxcc.edu
Office Location: Snow Hall, Room 414