Pets are part of our families, and if you love animals, there are few jobs more rewarding than a veterinary assistant. You will acquire the knowledge necessary to support the veterinarian and veterinary technician in their daily tasks while learning basic skills. Learn about basic patient observation, record keeping, care and comfort, animal husbandry, sanitation, safety procedures and the roles and responsibilities of the veterinary team. At the end of the course, you will be able to describe safety, cleaning and disinfection procedures, bathing/dipping of patients, food and diet preparation, medical record entry, medicating techniques and disease prevention. In addition to 35 hours of classroom instruction, you are required to complete 35 volunteer hours outside of class. One hour is set aside for lunch on your own. (7 meetings) (3.5 CEUs).

Course fee: $399 Includes consumable supplies and course completion certificate.

In this program, you will acquire the knowledge necessary to support the veterinarian and veterinary technician in their daily tasks while learning intermediate skills. Learn about identifying slides, skin scrapings and tape prep for mites, venapuncture, blood tubes and placing catheters. The program educates veterinary assistants in the
essential skills and knowledge needed to become effective contributors to the veterinary medical care team. Other topics include general veterinary assistant, veterinary medical imaging, surgical preparation, assistance and veterinary pharmacy and pharmacology. One hour is set aside for lunch on your own. Classes must be taken as a cohort in the order in which they are offered. VTHT 1012 is a prerequisite to this program. TVMA Certification exam fees are not included in tuition. (24 meetings) This program consists of 120 hours of accelerated classroom training with emphasis on skills mastery through hands-on practice. (Total 120 Hours) (12 CEUs)

VTHT 1005 Veterinary Medical Terminology: Introduction to word parts, directional terminology and analysis of veterinary terms. (Clock Hours/32, CEUs 3.2)

VTHT 1011 Veterinary Clinical Skills: Survey of basic veterinary and nursing care skills. Includes aseptic techniques, operating room procedures and the roles and responsibilities of the veterinary team in a clinical setting. Describe common clinical procedures, read and fill prescriptions, outline surgical patient preparation procedures and explain aseptic technique and disinfection, medicating techniques, laboratory procedures, radiology and operating room protocol. (Clock hours/40, CEUs 4)

VTHT 1017 Veterinary Office Management: Practical experience in management of the veterinary practice. Emphasis on client relations, record keeping, inventory, employment skills and computer skills in the veterinary environment. Employ client and veterinary team communication, apply basic business principles such as the maintenance of medical records and computer skills and demonstrate employment skills including interviewing, resume writing and appropriate interview attire. (Clock Hours/48, CEUs 4.8)

Course fee: $1,299 Includes consumable supplies and course completion certificate.

Community Job Survey: Average pay is $11 per hour. Pet owners are becoming more affluent and more willing to pay for advanced veterinary care because many of them consider their pet to be part of the family. This growing affluence and view of pets will continue to increase the demand for veterinary care and cause the field to grow faster than average through 2026.

Certification: Upon successful completion of the course and volunteer experience, graduates will receive a certificate of completion within 2-3 weeks after class ends. The volunteer experience log (showing 35 hours completed) must be turned in no later than 10 business days after class ends. 

Students must be at least 18 years of age at the time of enrollment. Students need to be proficient in keyboarding, have a basic understanding of a word processing computer program (Microsoft Word recommended, but optional) and have a command of English grammar and punctuation. Students will be required to have access to the internet, printing capabilities and an email address. Application packets must include: 

• High school diploma/transcript or G.E.D or official transcripts of higher education.

To view a comprehensive description of Continuing Education's veterinary program, see the Program Summary. For additional information or to register for the program, contact us at 254-526-1586.

Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) offers a simple cost effective option for certification. The TVMA Veterinary Assistant Training program is standardized and documents the basic skills and competencies required for animal care and assistance. Throughout the program you will acquire the knowledge necessary to support the veterinarian and veterinary technician in their daily tasks while learning intermediate skills. The program educates veterinary assistants in the essential skills and knowledge needed to become effective contributors to the veterinary medical care team. The best thing about this program is it can be completed either in a clinic or a TVMA-approved educational program.

In order to receive CVA Level I certification, certain standard requirements must be met. These include:

• 500 hours of work experience under the supervision of a DVM or LVT
• Mastering all required Level I material
• Gaining and demonstrating the hands-on skills listed on the skills validation checklist
• Exam application and skills validation checklist completed and approved by the DVM or LVT
• Successful completion of the certification examination (70 percent)

For more information on certification, please see our Program Summary.

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers held about 99,500 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers were as follows:

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers work primarily in clinics and animal hospitals, colleges and universities, and research laboratories.

The work of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers may be physically and emotionally demanding. Workers may handle sick or abused animals and may assist in euthanizing animals.

WHAT IS A VETERINARY ASSISTANTSWORK SCHEDULE LIKE?

WHAT TYPES OF TASKS DOES A VETERINARY ASSISTANT DO?

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers typically do the following:

• Feed, bathe, and exercise animals
• Clean and disinfect cages, kennels, and examination and operating rooms
• Restrain animals during examination and laboratory procedures
• Maintain and sterilize surgical instruments and equipment
• Monitor and care for animals after surgery
• Help provide emergency first aid to sick and injured animals
• Give medication or immunizations that veterinarians prescribe
• Assist in collecting blood, urine, and tissue samples

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers also provide nursing care before surgery and other medical procedures.

They may prepare equipment and pass surgical instruments and materials to veterinarians during surgery. They also move animals during testing and other procedures.

Veterinary assistants typically help veterinarians and veterinary technologists and technicians treat injuries and illnesses of animals.

Laboratory animal caretakers’ daily tasks include feeding animals, cleaning kennels, and monitoring animals.

Access our Library Resources for Veterinary Assistant students!