How Much Does Veterinary-Assistant Training Cost?

$ Online Training: $600-$1,800

$ $ In-Person Training: $1,500-$3,000

The role of the veterinary assistants is to help veterinarians with the prevention and treatment of disease in animals.

Their duties usually include holding animals during procedures, collecting and then processing lab samples and administering medicines prescribed by the doctor.

The differences between the veterinary assistants, technicians, and veterinarians are explained by the Professional Veterinary Assistant School.

The veterinary assistants have the shortest training of the three completed in 100-240 hours in general, which means a few weeks to several months.

Learn more here on how to become a veterinary assistant.

Typical Costs

The veterinary-assistant training in person usually costs between $1,500 and $3,000.

An in-person course at Carroll Community College in Westminster, MD, for instance, can be covered in 150 classroom hours (4 to 12 months) and costs $1,500.

There is no certificate after the course, and topics cover outpatient care, surgery, and emergency care.

At the same time, The Veterinary Assistant course at Walters State Community College in Morristown, TN, costs $1,900 for 100 hours of instruction.

The veterinary-assistant training done online usually costs between $600 and $1,800.

For instance, the online veterinary assistant program at Excelsior College costs $1,795 for about 240 hours of coursework.

The assignments can be completed at the student’s own pace, and at the end of a successful course, a certificate of completion is awarded.

At Ashworth College, the $628 online course includes 22 lessons, books, and a diploma at the end of the course.

What Is Included

The veterinary-assistant training lasts from 100-240 hours and includes coursework covering animal restraint, surgical preparation and assisting, ethics and law in the veterinary office.

A certificate of completion can be awarded at the end of the course.

The veterinary-technician programs are more advanced and could be part of an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program, while the veterinary assistant programs do not include any type of college degree.

Additional Costs

• The books for veterinary-assistant school usually cost $40-$70 each, though these materials may be included in the cost of the program.
• The textbook Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant, for instance, is available for about $38.
• The uniforms for veterinary-assistant school usually cost $30-$200.
• Items such as veterinary scrubs, a lab coat, coveralls, and shoes, for instance, are estimated at $135 at Cedar Valley Community College.

Discounts

Scholarships are offered at students who meet program qualifications such as a high GPA or a proven financial need.

The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges provides a list of several scholarship resources.

Shopping For Veterinary-Assistant Training

• The veterinary assistant schools applicants must be 18 or older and should possess a high school diploma or GED.
• The American Veterinary Medical Association does not accredit veterinary-assistant programs since it recognizes veterinary technology and veterinary medicine programs.
• In case a school offers a veterinary-technology program that is accredited as well as a typical veterinary-assistant program, it has to explain the differences between the two programs to its potential students.