Online Veterinary Assistant & Veterinary Technician Courses

Online courses and career training programs to become a veterinary assistant or veterinary technician. Learn about animal care, animal behavior, emergency care, animal pathology, anatomy and more. Learn to work with large and small animals, and domestic and wild animals.

Veterinary Assistant Training Programs

Veterinary assistants or technicians work in private clinics or hospitals, supporting veterinarians in their practice. While some veterinary assistants work directly with pets and their owners, many are dedicated to research, record-keeping, and testing. They work in a medical setting, performing tests on animals, analyzing results, maintaining medical records, and performing tasks given by the veterinarian.

How to Become a Veterinary Assistant

Veterinary clinics are governed by federal and state regulations (just like a hospital), and education is definitely required for all positions. Training for assistant positions can last two to four, years depending on the program, and culminate in a certification that can qualify graduates for assistant positions at veterinary clinics.

Working in Veterinary Science

A love of animals and an interest in medical and animal science are good prerequisites for veterinary study. Online veterinary technician schools, by having flexible scheduling, allow students to work toward their certification, promoting independent study before gaining actual veterinary experience. Students will want to look for programs accredited by the Veterinary Medical Association (VMA).

For those interested in working in research, employers recommend becoming certified by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS). Most veterinary assistants earn hourly wages, which vary by location and experience. An hourly rate for veterinary technicians averaged around $12 in 2004.