The Certificate of Achievement in Veterinary Assistant prepares students for careers within the veterinary and animal healthcare industry as veterinary assistants, animal health technicians and other allied animal health positions. Through hands-on experiential learning and curriculum designed to engage students in various aspects of veterinary assisting and technology, students will be prepared to enter the expanding animal healthcare industry as part of a team of individuals dedicated to the care of domestic animals, small and large.

The Certificate in Veterinary Assistant can be applied to the first year of study towards completion of the Associate in Science degree in Veterinary Technology. Prerequisite coursework in college-level biology, chemistry, English, and statistics is required for application to the Veterinary Assistant/Technology program (these courses are listed in Program Requirements).

Those seeking to continue on and enroll in the second-year courses to complete the Associate in Science degree in Veterinary technology must complete all courses within the Certificate program with a grade of “C” or better. Prior to being admitted to the first year of the Associate in Science degree in Veterinary Technology, students must complete all required prerequisite courses and submit a prerequisite verification form to the Veterinary Technology Program Director along with an application for the Veterinary Technology program. 

Veterinary Assistants and Registered Veterinary Technicians are integral to the animal health care team that works under the supervision of veterinarians to perform various types of tasks, including veterinary laboratory procedures, surgical and anesthesia assisting, digital imaging (including X-ray technology), dental procedures, medical nursing, emergency care, and veterinary office procedures.

Students will be trained in highly sought-after skills critical to the veterinary assisting field, gaining access to career opportunities that continue to experience high demand and strong growth. Potential career options include employment in private veterinary facilities, bio-medical research institutions, regulatory agencies, livestock operations, pharmaceutical companies, zoological parks, and the animal nutrition industry.

Veterinary Assistant and Veterinary Technology Program Requirements

The Veterinary Technology Associate of Science Degree Program is two-tier pathway that begins with a Veterinary Assistant Certificate of Achievement. The program prepares students for careers within the veterinary and animal healthcare industry as veterinary technicians and qualifies them to sit for both national and state board exams to become Registered Veterinary Technicians. The first year of courses within the Veterinary Technology degree program can be applied towards earning a Certificate of Achievement (COA) in Veterinary Assistant, allowing students to seek initial, entry-level employment in the field of veterinary technology while completing the Associate degree program.

Procedures for Applying

Applications will be accepted once a year during the spring semester for admission in the subsequent fall semester.  Admission is subject to available openings.  The application deadline is available through the veterinary technology counselor or the Career Education Division.                                                 

Students interested in applying to the Veterinary Technology program must first submit a general admissions application to Ventura College at www.venturacollege.edu/apply prior to submitting the supplemental Veterinary Technology program application. Admission to the first year veterinary assistant certificate program is based on a random lottery process and to be considered for admission, students must meet the education requirements and complete the pre-enrollment checklist.

Meeting the requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program as space is limited in the small student cohort. Applicants must demonstrate evidence of having a high school diploma or G.E.D.

In order to continue into the second year courses of the Veterinary Technology associate degree program, students must pass all veterinary technology program courses and prerequisite courses with a grade of ‘C’ or better.

It is highly recommended that prospective students attend the Veterinary Technology Information Session or watch the recording of the information session to learn about the program, expectations, and selection procedures.

Admission Process

Qualified applicants will be entered into a random lottery process.  Each qualified applicant, when selected must decide either to enter the class, remove her/his name from the eligibility list, or defer admission to the next academic year.  A student may only defer admission once.  Those applicants who are not selected due to limited openings may retain their names on the waiting list. The waiting list will be cleared when the fall semester begins and students who do not enter the class must reapply for admission for the following year.

Selected students are required to have tetanus toxoid vaccination within the past eight years prior to participating in laboratory courses that involve contact with animals.   

All students admitted to the program are expected to maintain the highest personal standards of conduct consistent with the professional standards as perceived by the veterinary technology faculty and professional personnel in the agencies used as extended campus sites.  Any information indicating that such standards are not maintained is subject to review by members of the veterinary technology faculty and may result in a recommendation to the college for dismissal from the program.

All students must attend the orientation meeting scheduled prior to the start of the semester and must be present on the first day of the class.

In order to continue into the Veterinary Technology degree program, all Veterinary Technology coursework must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

One-Year Plan

Two-Year Plan

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• Describe steps necessary to maintain hospital records including medical, drug, surgery, laboratory, and radiology logs.
• Identify and demonstrate effective and professional communication skills in the performance of veterinary office procedures.
• Demonstrate proper restraint techniques on various animal species commonly seen in veterinary medicine.
• Explain and evaluate the proper techniques for performing veterinary laboratory procedures used in veterinary medicine and clinical settings.
• Perform appropriate steps to acquire vital signs in various species seen in veterinary medicine, and accurately record the results of a physical exam using appropriate medical terminology.
• Demonstrate appropriate sanitation and sterility practices necessary in a veterinary hospital.
• Recognize essential components of preventative care plans for domestic species of animals.