Veterinary assistants are provide care to animals within a veterinary practice or animal care center. Veterinary assistants are trained individuals who provide various levels of support to veterinarians. Veterinary assistants support veterinarians during medical treatments or operations on animals and even perform various clerical duties like answering phones, manage data, or assist with various aspects of bookkeeping.

Individuals who aspire to become veterinary assistants must possess specific personality qualities to achieve professional goals. Future veterinary assistants must possess a compassion for animals, be firm yet gentle, sympathetic, detail oriented, and work well with others. Future veterinary assistants must also be insightful, possess leadership skills, and help clients deal with illness or the loss of a pet.

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Preparation for a career as a veterinary assistant may begin while a student is in high school. Students who study biology, chemistry, psychology, computer science or keyboarding, accounting, English, and physical education often bolster chances of acceptance into certificate or college level training programs. Additionally, volunteering within an animal shelter, zoo, or a private veterinary practice allows students to gain work experience and perhaps bolster chances of acceptance into future educational or training programs.

Students with the career aspiration of veterinary assistant may advance professional goals through certificate programs offered through trade or vocational schools. Certificate programs are generally completed in 6 months and include courses like: animal care, interpersonal communications, accounting/billing, animal behavior, veterinary terminology, animal anatomy and physiology, animal nutrition, and emergency care preparation. Students who complete a certification program are eligible to sit for licensing exams. Licenses are issued through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. Students complete oral and written examinations as well as hands on practical tests designed to allow candidates to apply their training knowledge, physical abilities, and conformation to safety regulations to earn licensing credentials. Students can go on to higher degree programs or work under the supervision of veterinarians after completing licensing requirements.

Students who choose to enter a two year associates degree program to become a veterinary assistant expand their educational and professional goals. Students prepare for future careers by taking veterinary assistant training courses accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Classroom learning combined with hands on laboratory preparation allows students with the goal of becoming veterinary assistants the opportunity to succeed. Students study courses in animal nursing, diagnostic imagine, physiology, animal terminology, animal anatomy, parasitology, animal illness and disease, interpersonal communications, pharmacology, anesthesia, surgical assisting, pet insurance, billing, accounting, and aseptic techniques. Many students enrolled in a two year degree program must additionally complete a clinical experience, often under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. After course and clinical training, students qualify for licensing exams offered through the American Association of Veterinary Boards. Licensing exams allow students to demonstrate their proficiency in safety regulations, classroom training, and clinical experience. Successfully completing an associates degree program and licensing requirements allows graduates the ability to work as veterinary assistants or to continue on to advanced degrees.

Students who advance studies into a bachelor degree program acquire refined veterinary assistant training. Students learn in a variety of settings in programs combining classroom studies and hands on training in a clinical experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Students in a veterinary assistant bachelor degree program study courses like: animal nursing, diagnostic imaging, physiology, animal terminology, animal anatomy, veterinary biochemistry, veterinary pharmocology, anesthesia techniques, parasitology, surgical assisting, aseptic techniques, and veterinary dentistry. Students who complete classroom training and clinical instruction under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian are qualified for licensing exams administered through the American Association of Veterinary Boards. Licensing exams consist of test a candidates proficiencies in written, oral, and clinical settings. Successful completion of a bachelor degree program, clinical experience, and licensing requirements as determined by state and facility regulations allow individuals to work as veterinary assistants within research facilities, zoos, wildlife preserves, or private veterinary practices. Students who gain employment in a research facility may also gain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS). The AALAS administers exams designated to test a students ability to uphold ethical standards of animal welfare, in addition to allowing individuals the opportunity to demonstrate proficiencies in written, oral, and clinical training.