Do you love animals and want to turn that passion into a career? Conestoga's Veterinary Assistant one-year Ontario College Certificate program is the perfect starting point for high school graduates who want to work in animal care. Whether you've grown up with pets or volunteered at shelters, this program will help you build the skills needed to support veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians in clinics, shelters and animal hospitals.

You'll learn how to safely handle and care for animals, assist with surgical procedures, perform basic lab work and support daily operations in a veterinary setting. With a focus on humane, simulation-based training, you’ll develop your skills in a safe, ethical environment before applying them during a hands-on work placement in your second term.

Admission requirements:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or 19 years of age or older with mature student status
• Grade 12 compulsory English, C or U, or equivalent, OR Conestoga College Preparatory Communications (COMM1251), or equivalent with a minimum 65%
• Grade 11 or 12 Biology, C or U, or equivalent, OR Conestoga College Preparatory Biology (SCIE1010) with a minimum 65%
• For more information on preparatory programs, visit Academic Upgrading

• International English Language Testing System (academic or immigration) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (Internet Based) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (Internet Based) or Pearson Test of English (Academic)

Program requirements:

• Proof of pre-exposure rabies and tetanus vaccination prior to start of the program. Students are required to obtain vaccinations at their own expense (approximately $800).
• An annual Police Criminal Records Check (PCRC) in Canada, prior to start of the program, obtained at your own expense (approximately $40). An unclear criminal record may result in the inability to participate in work-integrated (WIL) learning experiences which will jeopardize progress in the program. Acceptance is at the discretion of the agency.
• To succeed in the program, you must be capable of participating in physical activity, have good manual dexterity and strong fine motor skills, stand for long periods of time and be able to lift 25 kg.
• To succeed in the field placement course, students will need to have flexible schedules and be able perform shift work which may include early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Are comfortable working within a variety of clinical settings, managing large and small patients and handling biological materials.
• Previous experience working with animals is recommended.
• Pet grooming kits are included in the tuition cost. Details can be found under the fee details.