The Role of Veterinary Technician Assistants

“Veterinary Technician Assistants Make a Real Difference in the Lives of Animals”

Veterinary Technician Assistants are qualified professionals who undergo formal education, training and experience to deliver specific veterinary services under the supervision of a Veterinarian. They make every part of a clinic run smoothly and make a real difference in lives of animals they help to treat. If you’re passionate about quality animal health care and are looking to get started in a rewarding, professional career, then this may be the ideal path for you!

Below, you’ll find a quick overview of the skills and duties specific to this career. After completing the Granville College Program, you will be able to perform these duties in a veterinary clinic/hospital or related animal health care setting.

Scope of Work

Veterinary Technician Assistants can have many different specialties and many different names. From the front-end office work of a Veterinary Office Assistant to the back-end technical work of a Veterinary Technician Assistant in either position you will be assisting the veterinary team in caring for their animal patients. The Veterinary Technician Assistant Diploma Program can be compared to a Licensed Practical Nurse, Research Technician, Care Aide or Radiology Assistant in human medicine.

Veterinary Technician Assistants can work with a variety of species including companion animals, exotics, and even livestock or wildlife. At Granville College our focus is to ensure each Veterinary Technician Assistant that graduates from our Diploma Program is job ready and fully trained to provide the best possible care.

Major Areas of Training

The major areas in which Veterinary Technician Assistants Diploma Program are trained include the following:

Preparation of analysis procedures for various body functions through the testing of blood, urine and feces as well as preparing samples for delivery to reference laboratories.

Animal care including restraint, administration of some medications, nutritional requirements, recognition of pain and knowledge of expected behavioural signs.

Patient positioning for the production of diagnostic radiographs and knowledge of safety techniques for a safe workplace.

Preparation of patients for common surgical procedures, general pre- and post-operative care and the disinfection and maintenance of the surgical suite and equipment.

Routine sanitation, sterilization and disinfection techniques including protocols for isolation cases as well as general information about common medical conditions, parasites and vaccinatable diseases.

Working with the public to book appointments and achieve quality client experience in the hospital. Promote excellent animal care as well as maintenance of medical records, hospital inventory and general clerical duties as required.

Achievement of effective communication techniques with the public, clients and co-workers as well as techniques for dealing with difficult situations and emergencies.

Is a Career as a Veterinary Technician Assistant Diploma Program Right for You? Get More Info…

If you have any questions about our Diploma Program, please fill out the form on this page and we will get back to you as soon as we can.


If you’d like to speak to someone right away, or book a tour of Granville College, feel free to call us at 604-683-8850.

“ All Programs have been approved by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training”.