Veterinary Assistant
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Program Overview
The one-year Veterinary Assistant certificate program covers the skills and knowledge required to assist in delivering quality animal care as a member of the veterinary team. You will gain a strong foundation in animal care, health and well-being, preparing you for a veterinary clinic setting. As a Veterinary Assistant, you will work closely with Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians to care for various types of animals.
international only
No
PGWP
No
Program Details
Program Code
VTA1
Credential:
Ontario College Certificate
Duration
30 Weeks
Canadian Students
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2025 January
London
Open
2025 September
London
Open
2026 January
London
Open
International Students
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2025 January
London
Open
2025 September
London
Open
2026 January
London
Open
Your Learning Experience
Pursue Your Career as a Veterinary Assistant
Do you have a passion for helping animals? This one-year Veterinary Assistant certificate program equips you with the skills and knowledge to thrive in diverse animal care settings, working with companion animals, exotic pets and even large animals. A Veterinary Assistant is an integral member of the veterinary team, with responsibilities ranging from general care and attention for animals to administration.
Areas of study include:
- animal anatomy
- animal behaviour
- animal restraint
- nursing and surgical care for animals
- animal grooming
- animal nutrition
- administrative support
- clerical support
Learning is delivered through comprehensive classroom sessions to build your technical knowledge, along with on- and off-campus labs for vital hands-on training.
Following successful completion of the semesters, your learning culminates with a field placement to give you real, practical experience of what your career entails.
While the program focuses on companion animals, you will also learn about care for exotic animals, laboratory animals, wildlife and agricultural animals. This opens the door to many different and interesting career paths in a variety of settings.
Eligible graduates of the Veterinary Assistant program may receive credits towards Fanshawe’s Veterinary Technician Ontario College Diploma and Veterinary Technician programs in other colleges across Canada.
Career Information
Fanshawe’s Veterinary Assistant program prepares graduates to pursue a career in the field of animal welfare, with opportunities in:
- Veterinary Clinics
- Animal Shelters
- Wildlife Sanctuaries
- Research Facilities
- Agricultural Settings
- Grooming & Pet Care Businesses
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, mature
student status, with the following:
- English: Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent course
- Mathematics: Grade 12 C or U, or Grade 11 C, U or M, or
equivalent course
- Biology: Grade 11 C or U, or equivalent course.
OR
Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees
Ontario College Certificate
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
TOEFL iBT 88
IELTS Academic Overall score of 6.5 with no score less than 6.0 in any of the four bands
CAEL Overall score of 70 with no score less than 60 in any of the four bands
PTE Academic 59
Cambridge English Overall score of 176 with no language skill less than 169
ESL4/GAP5 Minimum grade of 80% in Level 9, 75% in Level 10
Duolingo Overall score of 115, with no score lower than 95
Applicant Selection Criteria
Applicant Selection Criteria
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:
- Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
- Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
- Achievement in the Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
Prophylactic immunization against rabies is mandatory for this program and should be arranged through your family physician. Prophylactic immunization against rabies is not covered by OHIP. Proof of vaccination or current titre results showing immunity are required before the start of classes. More information regarding other vaccinations that may be required by students will be posted soon.Courses
| 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. | ||||