Veterinary Assistant Certificate

With more than 94 million cats and 78 million dogs in this country alone, the field of veterinary health care is expanding. And, it is estimated that $47.7 billion will be spent on our pets in the U.S. this year.† As health insurance for pets comes into the mainstream, the amount of money spent on animal health care is estimated to maintain its upward spiral.‡ This kind of vibrant growth could translate to an increasing need for veterinary assistants.

KCE’s online Veterinary Assistant Certificate program and courses were developed by individuals in the industry with real-world experience to help you gain the knowledge and skills potential employers expect, such as veterinary terminology, client communication and scheduling, and more.

Make a difference.

You could turn your love of animals into a fulfilling career in the field of veterinary health care. As a student in our online veterinary assistant program, you have the opportunity to take courses designed to help you learn the key terminology of the veterinary profession; study animal health issues and diseases; learn to assist in emergency care, physical exams, surgery; and develop your skills in office procedures such as obtaining health histories and records. Other courses in the program explore animal physiology, pharmacology, animal behavior, and sanitation procedures.

Imagine What You Can Do

Assist in the care of animals
Including proper handling, feeding, watering, and exercising.
Provide pre/post-operative care
Under the supervision of vet technologists/technicians, or veterinarians.
Assist with lab tests
Including collecting and preparing samples, and sterilizing lab/surgery equipment.
Prevent and treat common diseases
Administering topical or oral medications.

Imagine Where You Can Apply

Veterinary assistants could pursue careers working with animal health care providers in a variety of settings, including veterinary offices and hospitals, kennels, animal shelters, and research facilities. Salary.com reports that the median salary for veterinary assistants is $26,545.§ This figure can vary by geographic location and other criteria.

Is This Program Right For Me?

This program is intended for individuals who possess a high school diploma or GED. The KCE online Veterinary Assistant Certificate consists of 8 classes that are to be completed within 12 months.

Click here to view the program comparison guide to verify the proper choice for your career goals.

Courses Include

Introduction to the Veterinary Profession
Introduction to Animal Health and Disease
Office Procedures
Exam Room Procedures
Medications
Laboratory and Diagnostic Procedures
Animal Nursing (available September 2010)
Surgical Assisting (available October 2010)
Veterinary Assistant Externship (Optional) (available November 2010)

For complete course descriptions, click here.

Take the First Step

In 12 months or less, you could be on your way to a more rewarding career. Take the first step by calling 866.542.4042 (Toll Free) or click here for more information.

^*Kaplan Continuing Education (KCE) programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, KCE does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job or employed at all.

^†American Pet Products Association, Industry Statistics and Trends, http://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp.

^‡Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Veterinarians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos076.htm. These employment projections are provided for informational purposes only. Long-term projections are not intended to predict short-term changes in employment demand due to the current economy.

^§http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_SC16000209.html#bottom#bottom. These facts and figures are provided for informational purposes only. Career guidance is provided, however, the School does not guarantee that graduates will obtain employment or earn any specific salary. (Website accessed April 21, 2010.)