14 Pros and Cons of Being a Veterinary Assistant

Do you love animals and potentially see yourself working with them?

Perhaps a career as a veterinary assistant sounds fascinating.

Choosing a profession where you can help animals in need of care can be more than rewarding.

But before you leap, you should understand the advantages and disadvantages that come along with holding such a career.

Continue reading to learn about the pros and cons of working as a vet assistant to help you decide whether this career suits you.

Pros of Being a Veterinary Assistant

1. You Get to Help Animals

Not only is working with animals one of the biggest pros of being a vet assistant, but it’s also one of the most rewarding ones.

Vet assistants do this work because they are good with animals.

Many of these assistants have loved animals their entire lives, so it’s only natural to want to go into the same field of work.

Anytime you become frustrated while working, you must remember the reason why you are working in this field.

Because, after all, being able to hold kittens and puppies should brighten your day.

2. You Get Paid

Not only will you get to work around animals that you truly adore, but you will also get paid to do it.

The worst feeling is working at a job that you don’t love and are instead forced to work at.

However, working as a vet assistant allows you to be happy all while supporting your financial obligations.

With that being said, enjoy the furry babies, but don’t forget to look forward to your paycheck weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your company.

3. Wearing Scrubs Is a Plus

Many people love working in the healthcare field because they get to wear scrubs.

Besides, scrubs are the next best thing after pajamas.

No more worrying about buying an entire new wardrobe for work.

Scrubs are simple and easy to find.

Nothing beats going to work every day and not having to worry about what suit, jacket, and high heels you are going to wear.

Scrubs are comfortable and inexpensive.

Most of all, you won’t have to worry about spending a fortune of your paycheck at the dry cleaners every week to keep your work attire tidy.

4. Room for Advancement

Maybe working as a vet assistant isn’t your final career.

Or perhaps you don’t realize it until you begin working as a vet assistant and find out that there’s a lot of room for growth.

Once you have entered the field of veterinary medicine, you’re just a hop, skip, and jump away from the next career move.

Maybe working as a vet assistant is perfect while you are still in school, and have plans to work in a new position later down the road.

Fortunately, you have plenty of options, including becoming certified through NAVTA.

5. Training Is Quick

Four years of college is not needed to become a veterinary assistant.

All you will need to jump-start your career is a two-year degree or certificate from a vocational school or community college.

Following the completion of the program, you will need to complete an externship to help you gain the hands-on experience needed for your career.

While a certificate isn’t necessary, it’s always recommended, especially since employers will prefer candidates with such.

Finally, you will need to pass the Veterinary Tech National Exam if you wish to earn a license in your profession.

But overall, training goes quickly and there’s no need to worry about prolonged schooling.

6. Work Environments Vary

Vet assistants don’t just work in a single type of environment.

You’ll have the pleasure of working in various types of animal care environments and facilities.

For example, if you choose to work in a private animal clinic, you’ll spend a lot of your time taking care of domestic pets indoors.

You may even choose to work side by side with a livestock vet.

If this is the case, you’ll spend the majority of your time at farms, tending to animals.

There are even vet assistants who travel and work in wildlife preserves.

There’s room for some of the most amazing experiences.

7. Develop People Skills

Another pro of working as a vet assistant is that you will have the opportunity to develop much-needed skills, including people skills.

You will work with many people in your profession on top of caring for sick animals.

This allows you to develop people skills which can help you excel in your career.

Working as a vet assistant will put you in direct contact with pet owners, veterinarians, animal shelter volunteers, and other vet assistants.

You will also learn how to be a good team player.

After all, working with others requires you to have problem-solving skills, communication skills, and other necessary skills.

Cons of Being a Veterinary Assistant

1. Continued Education Expenses

One of the cons of being a vet assistant is having to deal with additional continued education expenses.

However, this depends on the clinic you work for.

You may be required to undergo additional training every so often to stay current in your line of work.

For example, some companies may require you to complete various professional development courses to keep your certificate active.

This may sound like a lot if you are already working on a busy schedule and have a tight budget.

2. A lot of Stress

You’ll find that working in the veterinary field comes with a lot of stress.

Why is that you ask?

After all, working with animals brings you a lot of joy.

However, working with animals that are suffering and dealing with anxious owners can create unwanted stress in the long run.

In addition, you’ll have to help with animal testing and additional things, including difficult pet procedures.

The outcome may not always go as planned, and this is something you’ll have to think about.

3. Exposure to Pathogens

Another disadvantage of working as a vet assistant is being exposed to various pathogens.

For instance, vet assistants have to take fecal samples, blood samples, and urine samples.

As a result, these samples and tests can put you at risk of catching bacterial infections and other contagious diseases.

In addition, animals that are extremely sick or injured can put you in unpredictable situations, which results in even more health risks.

If this sounds more like a threat to you, you may want to re-think this career path.

4. Work Long Hours

Depending on the company you work for, your hours may be extended if you are required to assist the vet who is on call.

There are also animal clinics that are open around the clock, especially if you work in an emergency vet hospital.

So, what does this mean for you?

You may have to work night shifts. In addition, you’ll have to be flexible when working on weekends and holidays.

So, if you have a family and other priorities that are more important to you, this may not be the best fit.

5. Demanding

There’s nothing worse than a job that is emotionally and physically demanding.

Unfortunately, that is true of a veterinary assistant.

This is a profession that requires you to be on your feet for the entirety of your shift.

You’ll be involved in long surgeries, and you’ll have to carry large animals back and forth from treatment tables.

Besides, you will also be responsible for transporting heavy equipment and other supplies to various areas of the facility you work in.

Finally, if you work in a zoo, you’ll be walking a long way just to get to your patients.

6. Euthanasia Becomes Your Reality

Unfortunately, when you sign up to be a vet assistant, euthanasia becomes part of your world.

You’ll be exposed to death quite often.

This is one of the most painful aspects of your job.

If an animal is injured or sick to the point where it cannot be saved, euthanasia becomes the last resort.

Being exposed to death frequently can take a toll on your mental health and leave you emotionally drained.

Again, if this isn’t something that you can handle, you should find a different career path.

7. Small Paychecks

While you do gain stability and consistency working as a vet assistant, your paychecks won’t be as big as you’d expect.

The average annual salary for vet assistants nationwide is only $35,859.

That isn’t a lot of money.

This can make your life as a vet assistant difficult at times.

And as much as you love animals, you will have to be sure your priorities are in check.

Pros and Cons of Being a Vet Assistant – Summary Table

Pros of Being a Veterinary Assistant	Cons of Being a Veterinary Assistant
1. You Get to Help Animals	1. Continued Education Expenses
2. You Get Paid	2. A lot of Stress
3. Wearing Scrubs Is a Plus	3. Exposure to Pathogens
4. Room for Advancement	4. Work Long Hours
5. Training Is Quick	5. Demanding
6. Work Environments Vary	6. Euthanasia Becomes Your Reality
7. Develop People Skills	7. Small Paychecks

Should You Become a Vet Assistant?

If you can truly see yourself being around animals daily, a career as a vet assistant could be ideal for you.

Animal lovers find a lot of comfort in vet assistant positions.

After all, they are satisfying, rewarding, and interesting.

While you will have to deal with a lot of emotional and physical demands, you can still have a wonderful work-life balance.

Working in a career that you adore can take away some of the negative aspects that come along with almost every other job out there.

But knowing what you are getting yourself involved in could help you stay ten steps ahead of any challenge that may come your way.