Throughout this eight-month certificate program, you will gain the essential skills needed to effectively assist veterinary professionals in the practice of veterinary science. To prepare you for a career as a veterinary assistant, you will be provided with a variety of basic laboratory skills and techniques to diagnose and treat domestic animals.
You will gain a comprehensive understanding of:
Ontario College Certificate
2 Semesters (8 Months)
January,September
This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format with some courses available in Seneca's flexible delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements. For courses offered in the flexible delivery format, professors use innovative learning spaces and technology to teach students in a classroom or lab and broadcast in real time to students attending remotely. In flexible courses, students have the choice of coming on campus or learning online.
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
As a student in this program, if all academic requirements are met in the first and second semesters, you will have the opportunity to participate in an unpaid field placement. Field placements take place in a professional setting outside of Seneca, two weeks after completion of classes during the second semester.
When you graduate from this program, these are the types of career options you can explore:
| Course Code | Course Name | Weekly Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| BOA112 | Behaviour of Animals | 3 |
| COM101 | Communicating Across Contexts | 3 |
| or COM111 | Communicating Across Contexts (Enriched) | |
| ETY100 | Veterinary Etymology | 1 |
| VAH100 | Animal Handling Introduction | 2 |
| VAP101 | Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| VCR100 | Client Relations | 2 |
| VLP100 | Laboratory Procedures and Techniques | 4 |
| VMP100 | Math and Pharmacology | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| VAC200 | Animal and Clinic Care | 2 |
| VCP200 | Career Management and Field Placement | 7 |
| VGH200 | Animal Handling, Therapeutic and Grooming Skills | 4 |
| VIN200 | Introduction to Animal Nutrition | 1 |
| VLL200 | Large and Laboratory Handling | 2 |
| VSR200 | Surgical Assisting and Radiology | 4 |
| plus: General Education Course (1) | 3 | |
This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
Canadian citizens and permanent residents may satisfy the English and/or mathematics requirements for this program through successful Seneca pre-admission testing.
To be eligible for promotion into semester two, students must have a completed a "Clearance Review" through Concise Health that includes:
To succeed in the program, students must be capable of lifting 25 kg unassisted and demonstrate a variety of physical activities including, but not limited to, the handling of domesticated small animals (feline, canine and rodents) and farm animals (equine, ovine and bovine).
Admission to this program is highly competitive. Applicants are ranked on academic strength in English and Biology. Only the top-ranked applicants will be offered a seat in the program.
Caring for animals on campus is a mandatory component of the Veterinary Assistant program in 2nd semester. All students will be assigned clinical shifts in order to immerse themselves in the hospital environment. Students will work with and care for a range of species. Shifts may start as early as 6:30 a.m. and end as late as 7 p.m. Students may also be required to work weekends. All students must participate in their assigned shifts throughout the program.
Although not required for admission, prior work experience with animals is recommended for your success in the program.
As a leader in academic pathways, we offer a range of options that will allow you to take your credential further in another Seneca program or a program at a partner institution.
To learn more about your eligibility, visit the Academic Pathways web page.
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