Veterinary Assistant Program Overview

Do you love animals? Does a career working around them and providing the veterinary care that they need sound rewarding? The Veterinary Assistant program may be for you.

The Veterinary Assistant training program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to build a successful career as a veterinary assistant. Upon graduating, students will be prepared to work in veterinary hospitals, private practices, nature centers, zoos, research facilities, or veterinary clinics.

Students learn proper restraint and control of animals, collecting and recording medical histories, performing vital signs, receiving hospital patients, and assisting veterinarians with the treatment of patients. Students will also learn to prepare animals and instruments for surgery, perform inventories, assist with filling prescriptions, perform laboratory procedures, and obtain lab specimens. The student will also learn to position animals to obtain x-rays, administer medications, and apply bandages.

The program concludes with an externship to a local veterinary facility to provide hands-on working experience in the field under the supervision of veterinarians and experienced techs.

Veterinary Assistant Course Listing

  • Anatomy & Physiology of Mammals
  • Fundamentals of Veterinary Assisting I
  • Small Animal Care and Management
  • Veterinary Pharmacology
  • Fundamentals of Vet Assisting II
  • Fundamentals of Vet Assisting II Lab
  • Veterinary Clinical Sciences
  • Veterinary Clinical Sciences Lab
  • Diseases in Companion Animals
  • Career Development
  • Veterinary Assistant Externship

Experienced Instructors

All the instructors at Great Lakes have years of experience working in the field. In fact many instructors continue to work in the field while also teaching at Great Lakes.

Lifetime Job Placement Assistance

We offer job placement assistance to all graduates, regardless of when they graduated. If you find yourself out of work years down the road, feel free contact our Career Services department for assistance.

Nationally Accredited School

Great Lakes is nationally accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. In 2017, the last year eligible, Great Lakes was named a School of Excellence by ACCSC for rigorous adherence to their educational standards.

Veterinary Assistant Job Placement Sites

Below is a list of recent job placement sites that graduates of the Veterinary Assistant program found employment.

Graduate Testimonials

Samantha Lockard

Choice Vets

“The instructors were always supportive and discussed their real-life professional experiences. Even years after graduation and being in the field, Great Lakes is there to help and support you.”

Kylie Shultz

Hilltop Animal Hospital

“I enjoyed the Veterinary Assistant program because it was a fast-track program and only focused on relevant coursework. The instructors were very attentive and responsive, which was a great help in the learning process. The program gave me the skills I needed to be immediately effective and successful in the industry.”

Great Lakes By The Numbers

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Over 50 Years Educating Residents of NWPA
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Over 20,000 Students Educated

Financial Aid Available

We understand that furthering your education in pursuit of a new career is a costly investment. Great Lakes offers financial aid to those that qualify. Our dedicated financial aid advisors will cover all funding options with you, including grants, scholarships, state, and federal aid.