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Sixty-two percent of U.S. households own a pet, according to the 2009-2010 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. While spending in virtually every other industry dropped during the recession, pet expenditures went up to $47.7 billion, their highest level ever.
Jobs in nearly every facet of veterinary care are booming and that trend is expected to continue. If you're looking for a way into this field, you might look first at veterinary assistant training.
What Does a Veterinary Assistant Do?
A veterinary assistant performs entry-level functions in animal care. While some clerical work is included in their responsibilities (e.g. maintaining medical records and scheduling appointments), veterinary assistants work directly with animals for much of their day. They feed, clean or groom kennel or clinic animals and they may administer medication under the supervision of a veterinarian or vet technician. They also clean and sterilize clinic equipment or kennel cages as well as prepare lab samples.
These duties may also be relegated to other titles or work settings:
What are the Steps to Becoming a Veterinary Assistant?
Working as a veterinary assistant is an excellent way to enter the veterinary profession because it requires very little formal training and provides exposure to a wide variety of animal care and clerical duties. Because veterinary assistants are generally asked to assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians with certain routine care, medical treatments and lab work, they often learn their duties on the job and can be hired with little formal education. Currently, there is no credentialing examination or required certification for veterinary assistants. Certification programs, however, can be beneficial in helping you get your foot in the door with employers.
Such programs generally include coursework in the following:
Training programs also require students to complete a certain amount of hands-on clinical practice in a laboratory or clinic setting, working directly with real patients.
This training prepares graduates not only for work as veterinary assistants, but it also enables them to smoothly work their way up. With additional training and professional experience, a veterinary assistant can become a veterinary technician--an occupation that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says is one of today's fastest growing professions.
How to Become a Great Veterinary Assistant
It's estimated that in 2010, Americans will have spent $12.79 billion on veterinary care for their pets--an increase over 2009 figures. This translates to good career opportunities for veterinary assistants and other members of the veterinary care team. According to BLS, veterinary technologist and technician jobs are expected to grow by 36 percent between 2008 and 2018. In fact, two-year training programs are not expected to keep up with the demand for trained, qualified workers in veterinary technician or technologist jobs. Unfortunately, the BLS does not offer current projections for veterinary assistant jobs.
While many veterinary assistant duties can be learned on the job, employers increasingly prefer those with at least some formal training. The BLS predicts that, with the demand for more highly technical procedures such as dental care and certain surgical procedures, clinics should be looking to replace veterinary assistants with more highly skilled technicians. With formal training, you can put yourself in a position to accelerate your career.
Resources for Veterinary Assistants:
These schools offer particularly quick info upon request, and we have written detailed profiles for each (click school names to see the profiles).
Request info from multiple schools, by clicking the Get Info links.
| School | Locations | Degrees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthem College | AZ, MO | Associate, Diploma | |
| Argosy University | MN | Associate | |
| Ashworth College | Online | Diploma | |
| Broadview University | UT | Associate | |
| Brown Mackie College | ID, IN, KS, KY, MO, NM, OH | Associate | |
| Carrington College | AZ, OR, WA | Certificate | |
| Carrington College California | CA | Associate, Certificate | |
| Harrison College | IN | Associate, Certificate | |
| Kaplan College KHE | AZ | Associate | |
| Minnesota School of Business | MN | Associate, Bachelor | |
| National American University Campus | SD | Associate, Diploma | |
| Sanford Brown College | IL, MO, OR | Associate, Certificate | |
| Sanford Brown Institute | FL, PA | Associate | |
| Stratford Career Institute | Online | Diploma | |
| Vatterott College | IA, IL, KS, MO, NE, OH, OK, TN | Diploma |
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