If you love working with animals, take the next step towards a new career. This program will prepare you to work in an entry-level position in a veterinary hospital or zoo.

A veterinary assistant is a vital member of any veterinary team providing healthcare to large and small animals. However, interacting with animals is only part of a veterinary assistant's responsibilities. They also support licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians (vet techs) in their daily and essential tasks.

This new 250-hour, three-part veterinary assistant program prepares students for a rewarding career as a health care professional in animal hospitals, clinics, and other practice settings.

Job Outlook

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is projected to grow 19 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Scheduled Information and Comevo On-Demand Sessions

To be scheduled.

Prerequisites and Entrance Requirements
  • Computer with internet access.
  • Required textbook: Elsiever's Veterinary Assisting Textbook (ISBN: 9780323681452).
  • Scrubs and facial mask.
  • Proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Proof of health insurance.
  • Proof of successful completion of the Accuplacer Arithmetic placement test with a score of 250 or higher.
  • Proof of successful completion of the Accuplacer Reading test with a score of 243 or higher, or one of the following:
    • Proof of college credits.
    • Proof of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for high school graduates.
    • Proof of transfer credit from other institutions.
    • Students may submit proof of high SAT, ACT, or GED scores provided they are less than five years old.
  • Reliable transportation.
CastleBranch Information
  • You will be prompted to create a CastleBranch myCB account. In myCB, you will be able to view order results, management requirements, complete tasks, upload documents, and place additional orders.
  • Please review the CastleBranch Requirements Rubric.
  • CastleBranch's FAQ library covers various topics designed to answer students' most frequently asked questions, such as obtaining package codes and placing orders.
  • For additional support, contact CastleBranch's help desk via email or call their help line at 1-888-666-7788.
Required Courses

HES-326 Veterinary Assistant I (7.5 CEUs)

This course — the first of a three-part series — introduces you to the field of veterinary medicine as an entry-level veterinary assistant working in animal hospitals, clinics, and in a variety of practice settings. Topics include the history of veterinary medicine, acronyms and medical terminology, ethics, hazards, hospital and clinic protocols, animal behavior, care, nutrition and restraint methods, the reproductive system, wound care, euthanasia, medication administration, vaccination, parasitology, dentistry, and more. 

Prerequisites: Textbook, reading, and math proficiency, health insurance, COVID-19 vaccinations, Castlebranch registration, computer with internet access, and scrubs. 100% attendance required.

22 sessions, $1,314* (includes $155 fee).

HES-327 Veterinary Assistant II (7.5 CEUs)

This course — the second course in the series — prepares you for a career and employment as a veterinary assistant. Topics include pharmacology, dispensing, storage, and handling of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and controlled substances, laboratory procedures, anesthesia, emergency medicine and animal CPR, diagnostic image, radiology techniques, equipment and safety, large animal, avian and exotic animal care, along with resume and job readiness skills.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Veterinary Assistant I. 100% attendance required.

22 sessions, $1,314* (includes $155 fee).

HES-328 Veterinary Assistant III - Internship (10.0 CEUs)

This course is the final course in the Veterinary Assistant course. In this course, students must complete 100 hours of hands-on, supervised, clinical experience in more than one practice setting. Topics include office and hospital procedures, communication and client relations, pharmacy, exam room procedures, and radiographic imaging.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Veterinary Assistant I and II. 100% attendance and scrubs required. Successful completion will earn a certificate of completion.

12 sessions, $175*.

Note: To accurately schedule the veterinary assistant program, we are collecting the prerequisites of interested students in advance to provide first access and updates. Please send your prerequisites now (everything at one time) to crowelam@pgcc.edu as follows:

  • Proof of reading and math proficiency.
  • COVID-19 vaccination proof.
  • Current proof of health insurance.

*Tuition waiver applies.

Schedule

To be determined.

Contact Information

Students interested in this program must provide prerequisites prior to registration. Please contact the program coordinator for additional information.

Program Coordinator: Adrienne Crowell
Email: crowelam@pgcc.edu