Curriculum
Our veterinary assistant school at The Academy of Pet Careers can get you started in a new career in just a few months. The veterinary industry is in high demand for vet assistants, and this is the quickest way to get your new career started.
If you’ve ever considered a career in animal medicine, this program can help you make your dreams come true. The goal of this program is to prepare you for a successful career as a veterinary assistant and give you a foundation to further your veterinary education.
Whether you’re beginning a new career or expanding your expertise, our in-person program provides a clear and structured path to becoming a veterinary assistant.
Veterinary Assistant Program
(5-Month Program)
Our program explores many aspects of the veterinary industry, including the following:
✔️ Introduction to veterinary assisting
✔️ Maintaining a clean and safe environment
✔️ Common veterinary medical conditions
✔️ Small animal identification and communication
✔️ Handling/restraint of canines and felines
✔️ Small animal husbandry and nutrition
✔️ Laboratory procedures
✔️ Pharmacology and medical care
✔️ Diagnostic imaging
✔️ Surgical assisting
✔️ Exotic care
✔️ Large animal care
✔️ Being a valuable team member
✔️ Career preparation
✔️ Pet CPR and first aid
Curriculum Topics
Our comprehensive training program is designed to prepare you for a rewarding career working alongside veterinarians and veterinary technicians in animal care settings. Through hands-on learning and classroom instruction, you'll develop essential skills in animal handling, clinical procedures, medical terminology, and client communication. Below, you'll find a detailed overview of the courses, clinical requirements, and competencies that make up this program.
Veterinary Assistant Program
Introduction to Veterinary Assisting
Begin your journey into the veterinary field by exploring the vital role veterinary assistants play in animal healthcare. In this foundational unit, you'll discover the diverse responsibilities of veterinary assistants. This includes supporting veterinarians and technicians during examinations and procedures to providing compassionate care for patients and their owners. We'll introduce you to the structure of veterinary practices, including the different types of facilities where you might work—small animal clinics, emergency hospitals, specialty practices, and more. Then, you'll learn about the professional standards and ethics that guide veterinary medicine, understand the importance of confidentiality and client communication, and begin developing the compassionate, detail-oriented mindset essential for success in this rewarding career.
Maintaining a Clean & Safe Environment
A safe, sanitary veterinary environment protects both animals and staff from disease and injury. This comprehensive unit covers the principles and practices of biosecurity, infection control, and workplace safety. You'll learn proper sanitation and disinfection protocols for examination rooms, surgical suites, and kennels, understanding which products to use for different surfaces and situations. We'll cover the safe handling and disposal of biological waste, sharps, and hazardous materials, as well as OSHA regulations that protect veterinary workers. Then, you'll study zoonotic diseases—illnesses that can pass between animals and humans—and learn how to minimize your risk of exposure. Additionally, this unit addresses personal protective equipment, proper hand hygiene, and creating a culture of safety that protects everyone in the practice.
Common Veterinary Medical Conditions
Understanding the diseases and conditions you'll encounter daily is essential for providing quality patient care. In this unit, you'll study the most common medical conditions affecting companion animals. This includes infectious diseases, parasites, skin conditions, gastrointestinal disorders, and chronic conditions like diabetes and kidney disease. You'll learn to recognize clinical signs of common illnesses, understand basic diagnostic approaches, and become familiar with typical treatment protocols. Then, we'll cover preventive care including vaccinations, parasite prevention, and wellness screening. This knowledge will enable you to anticipate the veterinarian's needs, educate clients about their pet's condition, and provide informed, compassionate care throughout the patient's visit.
Small Animal Identification & Communication
Every animal that enters a veterinary practice must be accurately identified. Understanding how animals communicate is crucial for their care and your safety. In this unit, you'll learn various identification methods including microchipping, collar tags, and medical record systems that ensure the right treatment reaches the right patient. Then, you'll study canine and feline body language in depth, learning to recognize signs of fear, anxiety, stress, pain, and aggression. We'll explore how different species and individual animals express discomfort and how to modify your approach based on these signals. Furthermore, you'll develop skills in observing and documenting patient behavior and condition, creating accurate records that support diagnosis and treatment.
Handling & Restraint of Canines & Felines
Safe, compassionate restraint is one of the most important skills for any veterinary assistant. This hands-on unit teaches you proper techniques for safely controlling dogs and cats during examinations, treatments, and procedures while minimizing stress for the animal. You'll learn multiple restraint positions for different procedures—from simple examinations to blood draws, nail trims, and radiographs. We emphasize reading animal body language to anticipate reactions and adjust your approach accordingly. Then, you'll practice techniques for fearful, fractious, or aggressive animals, understanding when additional tools like muzzles or towel wraps are appropriate. Throughout this unit, we stress the importance of patience, confidence, and always prioritizing safety for yourself, the animal, and the veterinary team.
Small Animal Husbandry and Nutrition
Proper care and nutrition are fundamental to animal health and recovery. In this unit, you'll learn the principles of caring for hospitalized and boarding animals, including feeding schedules, exercise requirements, and environmental enrichment. We'll cover the nutritional needs of dogs and cats through different life stages—from puppies and kittens to senior pets—and explore therapeutic diets used to manage various medical conditions. Then, you'll study how to calculate feeding amounts, read pet food labels, and educate clients about nutrition choices. Additionally, this unit addresses the care of hospitalized patients, including monitoring food and water intake, maintaining clean bedding and housing, and recognizing when an animal's condition requires immediate veterinary attention.
Laboratory Procedures
The veterinary laboratory is where crucial diagnostic information is gathered. In this unit, you'll learn to assist with common laboratory procedures that help veterinarians diagnose and monitor disease. We'll cover proper sample collection techniques including blood draws, urine collection, and fecal sampling. You'll learn to prepare samples for in-house testing and outside laboratories, understanding the importance of proper handling and labeling. Then, we'll introduce you to basic laboratory equipment and procedures you may perform, such as fecal flotations for parasite detection, urinalysis, and blood smear preparation. Furthermore, you'll learn to recognize normal versus abnormal findings and understand how laboratory results guide treatment decisions.
Pharmacology and Medical Care
Veterinary assistants must understand the medications and treatments used in veterinary medicine to safely support patient care. In this unit, you'll learn about common drug classifications. This includes antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, pain medications, and parasite preventives. We'll cover routes of medication administration, proper dosage calculations, and safe handling of pharmaceuticals. Then, you'll learn to read and interpret prescriptions, understand potential side effects, and educate clients on administering medications at home. This unit also addresses controlled substance regulations, proper drug storage, and inventory management. Additionally, you'll learn basic medical care procedures you may perform under supervision. This includes administering oral medications, applying topical treatments, and cleaning wounds.
Diagnostic Imaging
Diagnostic imaging provides veterinarians with a window into the patient's internal condition. In this unit, you'll learn the fundamentals of radiology (x-rays) and understand the basics of other imaging modalities like ultrasound. We'll cover radiation safety principles, proper use of personal protective equipment, and positioning techniques that produce high-quality diagnostic images while minimizing radiation exposure. Then, you'll learn to identify anatomical structures on radiographs and understand common radiographic findings. Additionally, we'll discuss your role in preparing patients for imaging procedures, including appropriate restraint and sedation monitoring. This unit emphasizes the critical importance of safety protocols that protect you, your colleagues, and patients from unnecessary radiation exposure.
Surgical Assisting
The surgical suite is where precision, sterility, and teamwork save lives. In this comprehensive unit, you'll learn your role in supporting surgical procedures from preparation through recovery. We'll cover surgical instrument identification and care, sterilization techniques using autoclaves and other methods, and the principles of aseptic technique that prevent surgical site infections. You'll learn to prepare surgery packs, set up surgical suites, and assist with patient preparation including clipping and surgical scrubbing. Then, we'll discuss anesthesia monitoring basics, common surgical procedures, and post-operative care. You'll also learn proper recovery monitoring, pain assessment, and how to recognize complications that require immediate veterinary attention.
Exotic Care
Beyond dogs and cats, veterinary practices increasingly treat exotic pets including birds, reptiles, small mammals, and other species. This unit introduces you to the unique anatomy, physiology, and care requirements of common exotic patients. You'll learn species-specific handling techniques, as these animals often require very different approaches than traditional pets. Then, we'll cover housing requirements, nutritional needs, and common health conditions affecting popular exotic species. This includes rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, parrots, and bearded dragons. You'll discover how to educate clients about proper exotic pet care and recognize when these specialized patients require urgent attention. This knowledge expands your versatility and value as a veterinary assistant.
Large Animal Care
Many veterinary practices treat large animals, and understanding their care is essential for working in mixed-animal or rural practices. In this unit, you'll learn about the anatomy, physiology, and common medical conditions affecting horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and other livestock. We'll cover large animal handling and restraint techniques that keep you safe while managing animals that can weigh hundreds or thousands of pounds. Then, you'll learn about large animal nutrition, preventive care including vaccination protocols, and the unique challenges of treating animals that may be examined in barns, pastures, or other field settings rather than a clinic environment. This unit prepares you for the diverse opportunities available in large animal veterinary medicine.
Being a Valuable Team Member
Success in veterinary medicine requires more than technical skills—it demands excellent teamwork and professionalism. In this unit, you'll develop the interpersonal skills that make you an indispensable member of the veterinary team. We'll cover effective communication with veterinarians, technicians, and fellow assistants, including how to ask questions, report observations, and handle constructive feedback. Then, you'll learn time management strategies for balancing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment, problem-solving skills for unexpected challenges, and the importance of maintaining a positive, adaptable attitude. We'll also address workplace professionalism including dress codes, punctuality, reliability, and maintaining appropriate boundaries with clients and colleagues.
Career Preparation
As you near completion of your training, this unit prepares you to launch your veterinary assisting career successfully. You'll learn to create a professional resume that highlights your skills and training, write compelling cover letters, and develop a portfolio showcasing your accomplishments. We'll cover job search strategies, interview preparation and techniques. We'll also discuss how to evaluate potential employers to find the right fit. Then, you'll learn about salary expectations, benefits to consider, and questions to ask during the hiring process. Furthermore, this unit addresses continuing education opportunities, professional organizations you can join, and pathways for career advancement including becoming a credentialed veterinary technician.
Pet CPR & First Aid (Optional)
In veterinary emergencies, your quick response can save lives. This optional class teaches you to recognize and respond to common emergencies including respiratory distress, cardiac arrest, choking, bleeding, shock, and trauma. You'll learn pet CPR techniques for both dogs and cats, understanding the differences in approach based on animal size. We'll cover basic first aid including wound care, fracture stabilization, and how to safely transport injured animals. Then, you'll practice emergency triage—quickly assessing which patients need immediate attention—and learn to remain calm and effective under pressure. While this unit emphasizes that emergency treatment should be provided by veterinarians, you'll gain the skills to provide crucial initial care and support during life-threatening situations.