HOW TO GET THERE
Typical pathway
A common pathway starts in secondary school with biology, chemistry, math, and courses that build communication and computer skills. Students often gain early experience by volunteering or working in animal shelters, clinics, farms, or pet care settings to strengthen animal-handling and people skills. Many then complete a college veterinary technician or animal health technologist program, with some programs emphasizing lab work, clinics, and animal care. After graduation, employers may prefer some hands-on experience, and requirements can vary by province, specialization, and workplace. Some roles may also involve further training for certain clinic, lab, or research tasks.
THE WORK
What you may do
Legacy duties
- Provide nursing care and rehabilitation therapy for animals
- Handle, restrain and care for animals undergoing treatment and surgery
- Produce radiographs, collect samples and perform other laboratory tests to assist in diagnosis of animal health problems
- Assist veterinarian with animals before, during and following surgery, and by preparing surgical equipment, administering and monitoring anaesthetics and cleaning up after surgery
- Prepare and administer medications and vaccines under direction of veterinarian
- Administer treatments as prescribed by a veterinarian
- Provide wound and bandage care
- Conduct specialized procedures such as animal identification and hoof trimming
- Counsel clients on animal health care including nutrition and home care
- Conduct and assist in laboratory research
- Perform routine animal dental procedures, and assist veterinarians with animal dentistry
- May perform a variety of office management and clerical duties.
SKILLS TO BUILD
Skills used in this Career
Business ProceduresInterpersonal skillsMultidisciplinary teamwork