Courses
Veterinary Assistant-2025/2026
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all ofthe following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
Group 1 | ||||
| WRIT-1048 | Reason & Writing 1 for Health Sciences | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce health sciences students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| VETA-1001 | Veterinary Mathematics and Pharmacology | 2 | ||
| This course introduces students to the basics of pharmaceutical classifications, dispensing procedures and common routes of administration. Students explore common dosage forms, complete simple drug calculations, and learn vaccination protocols for domestic animals. | ||||
| VETA-1005 | Animal Behaviour for VA | 2 | ||
| This course explores our understanding of animal behaviour to ensure that staff, owners, and the animal remain safe in the veterinary setting. Topics to be covered include ethology, domestication, and basic learning theory in domestic animals, as well as the identification of common normal and abnormal behaviours along with appropriate interventions. Students gain the knowledge and develop the skills to identify and mitigate unsafe situations, and to counsel clients on pet selection. | ||||
| VETA-1004 | Anatomy & Physiology for VA | 3 | ||
| This course provides students with foundational knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of domesticated and exotic animals commonly encountered in veterinary practice. Topics to be covered include the major body systems and organs with an emphasis on the relationship between the systems and the overall health of the animal. Students will apply this knowledge to their studies in animal behaviour, nutrition, pharmacology, radiology, surgery, and animal handling, and in effective communication with veterinary staff and pet owners. | ||||
| VETA-1000 | Fundamentals of Veterinary Practice | 2 | ||
| In this course students learn and apply business skills and practices commonly used to support a successful veterinary practice. Topics include developing and maintaining effective client relations, veterinary ethics, cash and payment handling, and inventory management. With regard to client relations, students focus on communication, including telephone and email etiquette, and client education. Students also learn about euthanasia and their role in client grief counselling. Students will learn the job search skills needed to secure employment as a veterinary assistant. | ||||
| VETA-1006 | Animal Care 1 | 2 | ||
| This course provides a real-world introduction to situations typically encountered in the veterinary field. A large component of this course is focused on animal husbandry, which includes student rotations in animal care and facility duties. Providing humane and ethical care to animals housed within hospitals and shelters is an integral component of the program. The students, under the direction of a registered veterinary care professional, practice animal handling and restraint, maintain animal husbandry (e.g., feeding, walking, and enrichment) and ensure a safe and clean environment for animals and staff. Students are responsible for accurately reporting the health status and condition of the animals in complian with all relevant regulations and legislation. Working in a team setting, students learn how to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all members of the animal care team. | ||||
| VETA-1007 | Animal Handling, Nursing and Surgery 1 | 3.5 | ||
| In this course students learn common breed identification and basic animal handling techniques. Specifically, students practice correct and humane animal handling techniques for common small and large animal species that are used to minimize stress and trauma. The course also outlines appropriate cleaning and maintenance required for animal care facilities. Students are introduced to nursing and surgery environments. Working in a team setting, students learn how to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all members of the animal care team. | ||||
Group 2 | ||||
| Take the following Mandatory Courses: (Minimum Grade C) | ||||
| VETT-1000 | It in Veterinary Practice | 1 | ||
| In this course students learn to use computer technology commonly used in a veterinary practice. Students develop computer skills using Microsoft Office applications, veterinary-specific electronic medical records management software, and diagnostic equipment integrations. Students also learn about effective and responsible use of social media in a veterinary setting. | ||||
| VETT-1001 | Veterinary Medical Terminology | 1 | ||
| This course introduces students to common industry, pharmaceutical, and medical terms to establish a foundational understanding of terminology used in veterinary medicine. While emphasis is placed on mastering common veterinary terminology, meanings, pronunciation, and spelling, students also learn how to analyze unfamiliar terms and make informed inferences about meaning. | ||||
| Level 2 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| VETA-3000 | Animal Care 2 | 2 | ||
| This course builds on Animal Care 1 by continuing to provide real-world access to situations typically encountered in the veterinary field. A large component of this course is focused on animal husbandry, which includes student rotations in animal care and facility duties. The students, under the direction of a registered veterinary care professional, practice animal handling and restraint, maintain animal husbandry (e.g., feeding, walking, and enrichment) and ensure a safe and clean environment for animal and staff. In addition to the animal husbandry provided in Animal Care 1, students groom and medicate animals. Students are also exposed to surgery and radiology. Students are responsible for accurately reporting the health status and condition of the animals. Working in a team setting, students learn how to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all members of the animal care team. | ||||
| VETA-3001 | Animal Handling, Nursing and Surgery 2 | 3.5 | ||
| Building on Animal Handling, Nursing and Surgery 1, this course provides students with instruction in therapeutic procedures, bandaging techniques, and advanced care in domestic animals. Through application, students continue to practice correct and humane animal handling. Working in a team setting, students learn how to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all members of the animal care team. | ||||
| VETA-3002 | Animal Grooming | 1 | ||
| In this course students learn the basic skills required for domestic animal grooming and hygiene. Students learn and practice proper bathing procedures, recognize and care for skin and coat conditions, and provide proper ear and nail care. Students learn how to explain and demonstrate these skills to clients. | ||||
| VETA-3003 | Animal Nutrition | 2 | ||
| This course covers the concepts and principles behind basic nutritional requirements for dogs and cats, and provides an overview of the nutritional requirements for the other types of animals. Students prepare and follow nutritional plans for a variety of animals of varying age, health, and reproductive status. | ||||
| VETA-3004 | Laboratory Procedures and Techniques | 1.5 | ||
| In this course students learn common laboratory procedures, instrumentation, and diagnostic tests used in a veterinary setting. Students also explore common animal diseases and parasitology in domestic animals. Students practice the safe collection and preparation of laboratory samples. | ||||
| VETA-1002 | Laboratory and Exotic Animal Handling | 2 | ||
| This course introduces students to a variety of species and species-appropriate animal handling techniques and animal husbandry and enrichment practices used to minimize stress and trauma. Through application, students practice correct and humane animal handling as well as feeding and medicating. | ||||
| INDS-1081 | Personal Wellness | 3 | ||
| This course introduces students to the concept of wellness. Students develop strategies for a healthy lifestyle in all aspect of their lives. Through traditional lectures and learning activities, they learn through both individual and group processes. They investigate wellness as it applies to mindfulness, self-responsibility, social/emotional development, stress-management, physical activity, spirituality, substance abuse, nutrition, and complementary health. This course provides the opportunity for students to evaluate their present lifestyle, identify successes, and develop areas requiring personal growth. | ||||
| FLDP-3062 | Field Placement for Vet Assistant | 3.2 | ||
| In their field placement, students apply the knowledge and skills gained in the program under the guidance of their professor and a field placement supervisor, who is a registered veterinary care professional. Students, in consultation with the professor, establish field placement learning objectives that are aligned with the program learning outcomes. Learning objectives are reviewed and monitored by the field placement supervisor. In researching field placement opportunities, students learn about the roles and responsibilities of people who work in animal care, and the various facilities and organizations that employ animal care workers. | ||||
| Program Residency | ||||
| Students Must Complete a Minimum of 10 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and Graduate from this program | ||||