Veterinary Assistant

This 17 week program consisting of 24 credits prepares students for gainful employment as an entry level veterinary assistant. Veterinary assistants do daily tasks, such as feeding, weighing, and taking the temperature of animals. They often focus on the front office duties, but other routine duties may include giving medication, cleaning cages, or providing nursing care before and after surgery or other medical procedures.  

To accomplish these goals, the program combines classroom instruction with practicum experience. The curriculum focuses primarily on small animal species, but information regarding large animal species is incorporated wherever possible.

Students complete the training together and attends class for approximately 35 hours a week for the first 13 weeks of the program.  A 150 hour practicum work experience is part of the training and takes place at area hospitals and clinics during the last 4 weeks of the program.  Student is responsible for transportation to and from practicum sites.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete a certificate in Veterinary Assistant will be able to:

• Assist the veterinarian in patient care and practice management.
• Demonstrate appropriate patient management for a variety of animal species.
• Demonstrate effective communication with clients, family members, and colleagues using verbal, written, and information technology tools/devices.

Admission Requirements

The Veterinary Assistant Program Bulletin can be found online at the LBCC Short Term Training webpage (linnbenton.edu/veterinary-assistant) and contains all required Admission Requirements. The cost of this program varies. Applications are accepted on a first‐come, first‐serve basis with preference given to residents of Linn‐Benton Community College’s tax district and students with previous college experience. The program is Financial Aid eligible, but be aware that Financial Aid will be used to pay the total amount of the program cost first before the student receives any funds for living expenses.

Students are required to:

• Pay a non-refundable out of pocket deposit by program orientation.
• Attend a live program information session or complete the online information session.
• Test into WR 095 College Writing Fundamentals
• Complete CS 120 Digital Literacy or equivalent course with a grade of C or better (or test out of CS 120).
• Submit a Veterinary Clinic Observation checklist.
• Applicants must be in good academic and financial standing at LBCC in order to be admitted to this program.
• Submit a completed LBCC online admission application form.
• Submit supplemental application materials located in Program Bulletin.

Post-admission and prior to the start of classes, students are required to:

Total Credit Hours: 24