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Diploma Program

Veterinary Health Care Assistant

Diploma

43 weeks

Qualified Instructors

This program can be offered at the campus(es) below. Please contact the campus of your choosing for program availability and delivery methods.

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In Person (On Campus)

Distance

Distance (Online)

Combined

Combined

Average Wage

$23 /hour

*alis.alberta.ca; 2024;

Become a Veterinary Health Care Assistant

The Veterinary Health Care Assistant program will teach you how to care for animals. You will learn veterinary terminology, animal anatomy, surgical preparation, and how to handle important clinical and administrative services in a range of animal care facilities.

 

Your courses will cover essential areas and teach you important skills which you can apply in a six-week practicum placement in a real-world veterinary care setting.

  • Basics of Animal Behaviour
  • Animal Nursing
  • Veterinary Pharmacology
  • Animal Welfare Practices
  • Animal Handling Skills
  • Empathy and Compassion
  • Patience
  • Technical Skills
  • Veterinary Medical Terminology
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Licensed Program

CDI College Alberta programs are licensed under the Private Vocational Training Act in the province of Alberta.

Program Intro Background

Program Courses

Student Success Strategies

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The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and study techniques to help foster effective learning and a positive educational experience. This course explores two components of learning styles, Multiple Intelligence-based theory and Personality Spectrum – MBTI-based theory, and how learning styles and personality types affect learning. The course will cover the importance of values, their relationship to goals and goal setting. Strategies for setting personal goals, prioritizing tasks, managing time, and the stress that results from study or work situations will be explored and practiced through active participation in learner-centred activities. Effective study habits, techniques for preparing for tests and productive note taking strategies are key topics of this course that will provide the students with the necessary skills and attitudes to be successful in school. Having a sound understanding of financial, money, credit and debt matters and their implication on our lives is critical knowledge to have. Students taking this course will benefit from completing the Financial Management Workshops, which provides comprehensive coverage of financial and money management skills that will allow them to better save, budget, and manage their money and financial situations.

Microsoft Word & Excel

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This course presents an introductory look at the Microsoft Office 2016 productivity applications Word, Excel and the Windows environment in which they run. It covers the fundamentals of organizing files and folders, of drafting business documents and of reporting data in spreadsheets. This course relies entirely on practical hands-on activities that allow you to learn the concepts by practicing them on a regular basis and obtaining feedback immediately.

Mathematics for the Veterinary Setting

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This one-week course provides applied math skills as they will be needed at the front desk of the veterinary practice as well as in the clinic area. Students learn to make mathematical and unit conversions with care and attention. At the front desk, the veterinary assistant may need to make business related calculations. Within the clinic, the assistant may be calculating pharmaceutical dosages for the animal’s treatment plan. Students will be given their mathematics learning activity capstone project (VA1014-L) that is required to be completed by the end of Term IV.

Veterinary Medical Terminology

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Students learn the appropriate medical terminology including abbreviations associated with the body systems as well as the five senses. In addition to furthering the necessary language skills of the veterinary assistant, the course provides the foundation for communication in the areas of anesthesiology, surgery and radiology. In order to be effective in this, the assistant must have the knowledge and use of the correct terminology to communicate with veterinarians, animal health technicians, and other professionals in veterinary services.

Animal Anatomy and Physiology

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The veterinary assistant must have a well-grounded command of the language of the profession. The Animal Anatomy and Physiology course focuses on that, and relates the anatomy, physiology to diagnosis; common pathology, injuries and treatment.

The Veterinary Profession and Health & Safety Practices

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In this core course of the Veterinary Health Care Assistant program, students are guided to an understanding of the veterinary Industry including health and safety factors that must be recognized and respected in any environment that provides animal care services. Facility cleanliness and safety are the most obvious of these. The many other topics in this course include: Educational requirements of veterinary team members and their appropriate responsibilities; An overview of relevant legislation and regulatory organizations is also given; Emergency protocols, biologic, chemical, and physical hazards, fire prevention, and practices that contribute to the health of the animal care worker. An overview of relevant legislation and regulatory organizations is also given.

Standard First Aid with CPR-C and AED

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“Core Competency: Understand Level I/CPR First Aid 1. Explain the techniques of CPR 2. Identify the symptoms of various emergencies 3. Explain the prevention of disease transmission Core Competency: Skill (the key behaviours that a student is expected to be able to perform upon completion of subject) Core Competency: Perform Level I/CPR First Aid 1. Respond to cardiovascular emergencies 2. Perform the techniques to combat choking, airway and breathing emergencies 3. Use proper safety measures

DOGSAFE® Canine First Aid

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This course is designed to teach you the knowledge and skills to deal with a sick or injured dog until veterinary care is available. What you do between when an injury happens and when veterinary care is available will greatly affect a dog’s chances of a full recovery. The topics are covered in-depth so that students have a thorough understanding of the principles of canine first aid. Since this is a very comprehensive course, the student’s full attention is necessary and dogs do not come to class.

Veterinary Office Reception Procedures I

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This course develops and strengthens interpersonal communications skills that contribute to success in workplace environments. These are essential skills that are practiced throughout the course of each day and contribute to the smooth, effective functioning of the animal care practice. Students develop a practical- and vocation-oriented approach to effective and professional communication. In addition to verbal practice, the many communications skills that are addressed here include the use of technology to communicate professionally, careful listening, accurate writing, as well as locating and documenting information. The focus of this course is to give the student the basis on how to present themselves in a professional setting and conduct themselves with appropriate and ethical behavior. The student will learn about the ethical issues and guidelines relevant to the veterinary profession and how to resolve disagreements that may arise due to ethical belief. The student will also learn how to resolve conflict in the workplace, handle complaints and deal with the destructive nature of work place gossip and bullying. Students will be assigned tasks to create marketing materials for a veterinary business and client education.

Breed Identification and Breeding

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This course provides the foundational knowledge for students to be able to identify the various breeds of cats and dogs. Additionally, it provides an overview of how breeding happens in animal breeding environments: consideration of all factors and procedures that will produce a genetically healthy and well-conformed animal that represents the best standard of the breed. Students will also be introduced to their life span development capstone project which involves focusing on the lifespan, development, and care for a specific breed of animal.

Basics of Animal Behaviour and Restraint

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One of the foundations of the successful veterinary clinic is employees who are able to manage a variety of tasks that are associated with the requirements of a number of breeds and species. This must be done in ways that are both effective and safe. The course focuses upon the types of animal behaviour for common species, common animal behaviour problems, and the potential for behaviour counseling to address the problems. Students begin an understanding of an animal’s territorial behaviour, its aggressive and defensive behaviours, as well as social and reproductive behaviours. During this course, students observe and understand animal behaviours to ensure the effectiveness of animal care and safety for facility staff as well as the animals. Good quality skills in animal handling and restraint promote safety for the animal care professional and equally important, reduces the level of stress for the animal patient. The student will learn the handling, restraint and transport of dogs, cats and other small animals with the emphasis on personal safety and for the purpose of recognizing and preventing aggression. Students will come to understand the types of restraint including verbal, physical, leash and other methods. Learn why the least restraint is sometimes the best restraint, and why the goal of restraint is to maintain control of the animal Note: Hands-on practice may be introduced during this course. Lab times and days may vary from normal classroom hours.

Animal Nursing and Clinical Care I

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As integral members of the nursing team, assistants provide quality compassionate care while providing basic nursing skills, including documenting medical history, performing therapeutic bathing and grooming, cleaning and disinfecting kennels and cages, and recognizing normal and abnormal small animal behaviour. Included in the basics is the understanding of how various practices will operate in practicum and work: taking the medical history; determining and recording the vital signs; and conducting the physical examination. Students learn about blood pressure and its monitoring, TPRs [temperature, pulse, and respiration], medication administration, ear and eye cleaning and treatments, syringe feeding, animal husbandry, patient observation, and kennel care. The basics of observation and interpretation are a large component of this course. Quality grooming skills is an important contribution that the veterinary assistant makes to the animal care clinic and it promotes the health and comfort of the animal. Basic grooming refers to such procedures as bathing, brushing, applying non-therapeutic leg and tail wraps, de-matting, , shaving, and trimming nails.

Animal Husbandry and Nutrition

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Animal nutrition is an integral part of veterinary medicine. In this course, students will learn about the connections between illness, disease and nutrition. As part of the veterinary team, the assistant must be knowledgeable about healthy pet nutrition, specific dietary requirements, and recovering patient nutrition. The veterinary assistant must understand the principles of nutrition for the small animal’s life stages, the importance of good nutrition, and the major nutrient components of the list of ingredients. Students learn to communicate basic nutritional and nutritional life-stage counselling, as well as methods of feeding and the link between nutrition and therapy.

Veterinary Office Reception Procedures II

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The focus of this one-week course is the proper handling of client records to ensure accurate and efficient billing of services, records management, and ultimately, the success of the business due to proper patient care. Students acquire knowledge and understanding in many skill areas, largely focused on the administrative front end of the practice. This includes reception, appointment scheduling and correspondence, medical and financial procedures and record keeping. The veterinary assistant sometimes requires some measures of grief management; the student will be coached on the core skills required at particularly difficult times. The course provides guidance in ways that the veterinary assistant can manage the difficult client and provide counseling to clients who experience the loss of a pet.

Animal Nursing and Clinical Care II

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This course provides an advanced focus on nursing care and emergency protocols in clinical settings. Basics of emergency monitoring are also covered in this course; protocols often involve wound management (learning about triage and emergency readiness, common emergency preparations, chemical/physical disorders, types of wounds, including caring and healing). Students will further their knowledge of bandages, casts, and slings; use of fluid of therapy; and other vital therapeutic techniques generally performed in veterinary settings.

Veterinary Dentistry

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This course focuses on developing skills to assist in dentistry. Students will become familiar with the anatomy and basic terminology pertaining to the oral cavity and learn basic dental pathology, prevention, and treatment options.

Diagnostic Imaging

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Various equipment and tools are using in diagnosing various illnesses and injuries in animals. Students learn the various types of diagnostic imaging occurring in the profession, including the basic procedures and practice with x-ray equipment, ultrasonography, MRIs, and others. The radiological component focuses on methods and positioning for taking x-rays, the chemicals used to develop image.

Veterinary Pharmacology and Pharmacy

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This course focuses on the safe handling and organization of pharmaceutical products, an indispensable function of the veterinary clinic. Students are introduced to the organization of a pharmacy and its inventory maintenance. Students become familiar with the terminology associated with common veterinary pharmaceuticals, the classifications of drugs, indications and contra-indications, and routes of administration. It is important that students are able to identify accurate information, perform logistical services, and to practice safe hazardous waste and biomedical protocols.

Surgical Preparation

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This course is focused on the surgery unit in the veterinary clinic or hospital. Students learn patient preparation, support anesthetic monitoring, and nursing care in the surgical environment. Students also acquire knowledge of operating room sanitation and care, including: autoclave operation, instrument sterilization, and how to position patients. Students develop knowledge of instrument identification, including: gloving, aseptic prepping of the surgeon. Veterinary anesthesia, including sedation, induction, maintenance, and monitoring is also included. A field trip to a surgical facility is an important element of this course.

Clinical Laboratory Procedures

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This course is focused on the laboratory located either in the veterinary clinic or other specialized labs. The course includes instruction for the safe handling and preparation of biological samples for laboratory analysis by the technician or veterinarian. A field trip to an animal diagnostic lab may be given to enhance students’ learning.

Pathology, Wellness, and Preventative Medicine

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This course describes the pathology practiced in veterinary medicine, allowing students to recognize the common diseases and conditions inflicted upon pets and other animals. Students also are shown how to recognize these conditions, including comparative study with healthy animals and distinguishing them from the unhealthy. Client education and animal wellness programs are also discussed and students are given assignments to develop programs and literature. During this course, students will learn some of the causes of illness and disease, clinical signs, their treatment, and prevention. In addition, students are taught to identify the different types of vaccines and to understand the need for vaccine schedules. The course also introduces the causes of illness and disease. It explores the differentiation among bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi – as well as the modes of disease transmission.

Parasitology

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This course emphasizes the most common parasites and other internal/external viruses and bacteria. Students identify various specimens both using diagrams and under a microscope.

Animal Welfare Practices

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Issues surrounding animal abuse are addressed in this course. Field trips to animal shelters and refuges will enhance understanding for the student. Guest speakers may also be utilized to present content on food and nutrition and other animal care products. Community events such as nutrition education information sessions for the public and pet visitation activities to various groups may also occur during this course. Topics surrounding alternative and complementary medicine will also be introduced, such as acupuncture, herbology, and aromatherapy. Students will be introduced to their poster presentation capstone project by the end of Term I, which involves students researching and presenting a current topic or issue in the field of animal health and welfare. The presentations are presented during this course.

Career & Employment Strategies

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In addition to learning career-oriented skills, students learn how to get a job in their chosen profession. Our Employment Services department will assist the graduate in resume writing, as well as preparing for job interviews. Our staff is sensitive to current job market trends and the needs of employers in each local market.
Our graduates receive guidance and training to use career tools that help job seekers build a better resume and cover letter, manage an online portfolio, hone interviewing skills, and develop a personal brand online.
Students will have the use of a computer lab which has unlimited Internet access, as well as job search resources. Facilitators will also be made available to advise on job finding resources, interview skills and techniques and to carry out mock interviews.

This course also looks at the planning, preparation, execution, and follow-up stages of an interview:

  • How people find jobs
  • Employer expectations
  • Presenting an enthusiastic attitude
  • Focusing on the right job and the hidden job market
  • Transferrable skills
  • Thank you letters
  • Effective telemarketing
  • Handling objections, self-confidence, and self-esteem
  • Individual counselling and coaching

Veterinary Practice Education (120 hours)

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Following completion of all of the classroom courses in the program, the student is ready to complete the program in a veterinary environment. This practicum course allows the veterinary sciences profession to confirm the skills and competencies of the student.

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Admission

Benefits of this program

Employment Opportunities

All applicants must meet with an admissions representative in addition to ONE of the following criteria:

  • Standard Admission (Students must meet ALL of the following criteria)
    • Alberta high school diploma or equivalent verified by transcript or DAR.

 

  • Mature Admission (Students must meet ALL of the following criteria)
    • Be at least 18 years of age prior to admission (19 for out of province); and
    • Successful completion of the Reeves College Admissions Test.
    • *Manitoba applicants must also have been out of school for one year in addition to the above

 

  • Graduation Requirements

    • A minimum of 70% in each course of the program (or successful completion of components not assigned a percentage grade)

    • Successful completion of all practical/clinical requirements

  • Real-world practicum experience
  • Industry-recognized skills and technologies
  • Industry-experienced instructors
  • Remote study options
  • One-on-one instruction
  • Valuable insight from our career services team
  • Accelerated course time
  • Veterinary Hospitals
  • Animal Shelters
  • Zoos
  • Pet Products/supply Stores
  • Pet-Friendly Spas And Hotels

All applicants must meet with an admissions representative in addition to ONE of the following criteria:

  • Standard Admission (Students must meet ALL of the following criteria)
    • Alberta high school diploma or equivalent verified by transcript or DAR.

 

  • Mature Admission (Students must meet ALL of the following criteria)
    • Be at least 18 years of age prior to admission (19 for out of province); and
    • Successful completion of the Reeves College Admissions Test.
    • *Manitoba applicants must also have been out of school for one year in addition to the above

 

  • Graduation Requirements

    • A minimum of 70% in each course of the program (or successful completion of components not assigned a percentage grade)

    • Successful completion of all practical/clinical requirements

  • Real-world practicum experience
  • Industry-recognized skills and technologies
  • Industry-experienced instructors
  • Remote study options
  • One-on-one instruction
  • Valuable insight from our career services team
  • Accelerated course time
  • Veterinary Hospitals
  • Animal Shelters
  • Zoos
  • Pet Products/supply Stores
  • Pet-Friendly Spas And Hotels
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Hear From Our Graduates

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I graduated from the Veterinary Health Care Assistance program at CDI College. My instructors were great at communicating and collaborating, and the courses were very inspiring. Overall, I am firm that I made the right decision to further my education through CDI College.

Alicia R.

Veterinary Health Care Assistant Program Gradate

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My experience has been nothing but nice, easy and enjoyable. My veterinary healthcare instructors know how to explain the work that we have to do. They have taught me things that I didn't know about myself. I feel like the instructors really connect with us students.

Adriana T.

Veterinary Health Care Assistant Program Gradate

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