The Veterinary Assistant Program offered at Sprott Shaw College is designed to provide students with comprehensive training in the veterinary field. Graduates of this program are qualified to be the front-office representative and assist behind the scenes of a veterinary hospital or clinic where they may be responsible for promoting the hospital and assisting the veterinarian. This program emphasizes administration, human relations, animal restraint, disease control prevention, animal care, and medical care.
The career opportunities for the Veterinary Assistant are vast and endless including but not limited to:
- Companion and mixed animal practices
- Exotics
- Emergency
- Wildlife
- Equine
- Zoos
- Animal clinic and hospitals
- Pet stores
- Pet shelters, kennels, and rescues
According to the Canadian Animal Health Institute, there are over 8.8 million cats and 7.6 million dogs within households in Canada (2017). That is, 37% of Canadian households have at least one cat and 41% have at least one dog. In British Columbia, it is estimated that there are over 680 veterinary hospitals and clinics serving the health needs of Canadian pets. Within the last decade, there has been a 10% increase in pets in Canada, which means that there is a significant demand from veterinarians for more Veterinary Assistants. As of right now, there are more than a hundred job postings available on Indeed in the Metro Vancouver area alone.
The Veterinary Assistant program provides learners with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills, paving the way for timely employment. Sprott Shaw’s Veterinary Assistant program allows learners the opportunity to receive hands-on training directly in the field and continuously throughout the entirety of the Program. Contact us for more information on the program or to apply!
