Imagine a career where each and every day you get more than just a pay check as a thank you. Imagine a career
where working with animals is what you get to do each day. Puppies wag their tails happily because of you and
the way that you have changed their lives. This could be your reality as a Veterinary Office Assistant. If you
get great satisfaction from being with pets, care about the health of animals, want to help pet owners take care
of their loved ones, than this is the career for you. Multiple opportunities exist across the country for this
skill set.
Veterinary Office Assistants provide support to the veterinarian and animal health technicians. They play an integral
role in the smooth operation of the veterinarians practice. The Veterinary Office Assistant deals directly with clients
to assess their needs, provide direction and answers questions, manage appointments, perform front desk operations and
assist the veterinarian.
Veterinary Office Assistant's are responsible for:
- Assisting clients and their pets
- Administrative tasks such as filing, ordering supplies and answering phones
- Feeding, exercising and grooming patients
- Preparing and sanitizing surgery rooms
- Cleaning and maintaining examination rooms and storage areas
- Restraining and handling patients when needed
In Manitoba, Veterinary Office Assistants can expect to make between $20,000 to $38,000 per year based on full-time
employment and their employer. In Alberta, Veterinary Office Assistants can expect to make between $21,000 to $38,000+
per year depending on full-time employment and their employer.* Veterinary Office Assistants work in veterinary hospitals,
veterinary clinics, pet shelters and pet insurance offices. Students have found employment working as Veterinary Office
Assistants, Veterinary Assistants, Kennel Attendants, and in various customer service roles.
The Veterinary Office Assistant program at Robertson College has been designed to provide you with real world skills. Throughout
the program you will be introduced to veterinary medical terminology, commonly seen conditions in animals, small animal restraint
and veterinary office procedures. In addition, you will develop skills in client relations and communication, veterinary nursing
and computer skills.
Each instructor for the Veterinary Office Assistant program brings a wealth of knowledge and real world experience to the
classroom. Their knowledge and experience helps students with understanding and applying the concepts in class as well as
creates a dynamic learning environment. Students will spend time in the lab applying the skills learned in class to prepare
them for the working world. Skills such as veterinary nursing and animal restraint will be practiced.
Throughout your program, you will participate in the Employment Skills course where you will learn how to write effective resumes
that get interviews, how to interview with confidence and how to handle the challenging questions employers ask. Further support
is provided through the Career Services department during the program as well as after graduation. The door is always open at
Robertson College with our Career Services department.
At the end of the program, students participate in a four week practicum. The practicum provides an opportunity for students to
apply the knowledge learned in class as well as provide valuable real world experience.