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Get Veterinary Assistant training through hands-on courses at one of 7 Ross campus locations.

During the Ross Veterinary Assistant program, students will be instructed to function as an assistant to a Veterinarian and/or Veterinary Technician. They should complete the program with an understanding of veterinary ethics and law, animal anatomy and physiology, terminology, animal care activities, and technology and equipment used.

Veterinary Assistant students during program training

Experienced training school instructors will give direction on software used, medical records and documentation, and administrative/clerical procedures and duties. A graduate of this program should be prepared to work in an entry-level position in an animal clinic or hospital.

What is a Veterinary Assistant?

Veterinary assistants fill a crucial position. They work under the direction of a technician or a veterinarian and also alongside them during a variety of procedures. They are often responsible for providing routine care for animals like bathing or feeding. They also clean and sterilize all tools and operating and exam rooms before and after a procedure. At some offices, veterinary assistants will assist in the preparation of surgical patients, taking X-rays, and assist in the preparation of diagnostic lab procedures.

Veterinary Assistant Externships

After completing their classroom modules in the school training program, students will begin their externship experience. This is an extremely important and meaningful aspect of the program as it gives students an opportunity to practice their skills in a veterinary office setting with other professionals. It also allows local employers to assess students' skills before making hiring decisions.

Certificate Award for Veterinary Assistant Graduates

In recognition of the contributions veterinary assistants make to the practice team and to the health of pets, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) has an Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) designation.

Upon graduation from a NAVTA approved veterinary assistant program, students are eligible to sit for the Approved Veterinary Assistant designation examination. Upon successful completion of the exam, the student would be entitled to use the designation AVA and would receive a documenting certificate.

Currently, all of the Ross campuses that offer the Veterinary Assistant Program are NAVTA approved and the graduates can take the exam on campus, which is paid for by Ross.

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Tina Johnson

I was unsure about changing my career and taking out more financial aid to pay back. I was excited to come back to school but very nervous. After the first 3 days of my first MOD, I was extremely confident that this is what I wanted. Mrs. Bishoff has made learning so exciting and fun. I really wish I could give her a higher marking. She deserves it. She is by far the best instructor/teacher that I have ever had in all my years of going to school.

Tina Johnson Graduate Dental Assistant student at New Baltimore, MI campus Graduation: May 28, 2019
Kai Knudsen

Instructor has me more interested in this class than any previous instructor in any college I've attended.

Kai Knudsen Graduate Veterinary Assistant student at New Baltimore, MI campus Graduation: June 12, 2019
Nikki Haley

At Ross College, I really enjoyed the professors as well as getting to know my classmates. Everyone was very encouraging and I really enjoyed it!

Nikki Haley Graduate Online - Health Administrative Services student at Ross College Online campus Graduation: November 27, 2018
Sarah Long

Ross has given me confidence that I haven't had in a long time. I've made some great friends and learned a lot while being here. I decided to further my career in the medical field because of my grandma who passed away last year. I'm glad I decided to do it every day when I pick up my kids from school. My doctor asks me if I'm going to be a doctor. I just laugh and say "Far from it," but I'm glad she sees me in that light.

Sarah Long Graduate Medical Assistant student at Owensboro, KY campus Graduation: March 27, 2019
Shontella Russell

I am glad that I attended Ross to start a new career. I attended Ross for the Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration program, and boy I am glad I changed my tomorrow, today! I attended the Flint Campus on Miller Road where I found the staff and instructors to be friendly and very helpful, and when I say they had my best interest at heart, I believe that. I am now about to start my externship, excited and feeling very confident in my skills and knowledge that I acquired through Ross in less than a year. Ross a place where I came and changed my tomorrow, today.

Shontella Russell Graduate Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration student at Flint, MI campus Graduation: February 26, 2019

Veterinary Assistant Classes

The Veterinary Assistant program at Ross consists of six modules. During each of the modules, students will be instructed on important information and skills needed for working as a professional in the field.

View course curriculum details

Veterinary Medical Terminology

This course teaches the fundamentals of medical language and will instruct students on prefixes, suffixes, definitions, and uses of veterinary terms.

Veterinary Office Practices

Students will gain an understanding of the computer-based elements of a veterinary office. Keyboarding, computer skills, and financial literacy will be learned.

Animal Restraint and Handling

This course teaches the fundamentals of animal restraint and handling, such as the different types of ropes and knots as they pertain to animal restraint. Students will learn proper positioning procedures and the veterinary terminology that goes along with the techniques.

Veterinary Medicine Profession and Practice

Students will be introduced to the history and standards of veterinary medicine and will gain a familiarity with the roles of those on a veterinary team. Instructors will cover professional ethics and the sensitive topic of euthanasia.

Veterinary Pharmacy and Pharmacology

Students will be instructed on the use of pharmaceuticals in a veterinary office. Legal issues, proper packaging, handling, and storage techniques, and administration will be discussed. Students will learn to identify different groups and types of drugs.

Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology

The foundational study of anatomy and physiology is presented, particularly for dogs and cats, as well as for certain farm animals and other domestic animals.

Common Diseases and Medical Conditions of Animals

Students will be familiarized with common diseases and medical conditions affecting cats and dogs that result in visits to the vet. Diseases and conditions that affect other domestic and farm animals are also discussed.

Examination Room Procedures

This course teaches the fundamentals of examination room protocol. Cleaning, disinfecting, documenting medical history, and monitoring vital signs are some of the skills taught throughout the class. Students will also learn vaccination protocols.

Domestic Animal Care

In this class, students will be instructed on the fundamentals of small animal care. Students will learn how to identify breeds of dogs and cats, and learn how to provide preventative care, such as nutrition, socialization, bathing, nail clipping, and dental hygiene.

Veterinary Laboratory Procedures

Students will gain a basic knowledge of laboratory procedures, including recording laboratory results and identifying common parasites. Students will be instructed on how to collect and process urine and fecal samples.

Surgical Preparation and Assisting

Students will be instructed on the skills necessary for the veterinary assistant to serve animal hospital staff before, during, and after a surgical procedure. Techniques for how to properly maintain medical asepsis, position patients, and dispose of medical waste are taught in this course.

Veterinary Office Administration

In this course, students will develop an appreciation for the animal/human bond. Students will learn documentation and maintaining of records, as well as inventory restocking procedures and safety measures and precautions.

Medical Assistant Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Huntsville
  • Quad Cities
  • Evansville
  • Fort Wayne
  • Kokomo
  • South Bend
  • Lafayette
  • Muncie
  • Bowling Green
  • Erlanger
  • Hopkinsville
  • Owensboro
  • Ann Arbor
  • Battle Creek
  • Brighton
  • Canton (MI)
  • Davison
  • Flint
  • Grand Rapids
  • Kalamazoo
  • Kentwood
  • Lansing
  • Midland
  • Muskegon
  • New Baltimore
  • Port Huron
  • Saginaw
  • Taylor
  • Warren
  • Cincinnati
  • Dayton
  • Elyria
  • Mansfield
  • Niles
  • Canton (OH)
  • Sylvania
  • Johnson City
  • Knoxville
  • Charleston
  • Morgantown
Dental Assistant Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Huntsville
  • Evansville
  • Fort Wayne
  • Kokomo
  • Lafayette
  • South Bend
  • Muncie
  • Erlanger
  • Owensboro
  • Brighton
  • Canton (MI)
  • Davison
  • Flint
  • Grand Rapids
  • Kalamazoo
  • Kentwood
  • Lansing
  • Warren
  • New Baltimore
  • Muskegon
  • Saginaw
  • Cincinnati
  • Dayton
  • Elyria
  • Niles
  • Johnson City
  • Knoxville
  • Charleston
  • Morgantown
Veterinary Assistant Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Huntsville
  • Erlanger
  • Canton
  • Kalamazoo
  • New Baltimore
  • Warren
Pharmacy Technician Program Certificate online program
Nursing Assistant Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Brighton
  • Grand Rapids
  • Kalamazoo
  • Midland
Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration Certificate online program
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Hopkinsville
  • Quad Cities
Nursing Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Canton (OH)
  • Cincinnati
  • Dayton
  • Elyria
  • Niles
  • Sylvania
Practical Nursing Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Canton (OH)
  • Cincinnati
  • Elyria
  • Niles
  • Sylvania
Veterinary Technology Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Canton (OH)
Business Management Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Hopkinsville, KY
Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science Degree online program
Health Care Administration Associate Degree online program
Human, Social, and Health Services Associate of Applied Science Degree online program
Medical Billing Administrative Specialist Associate Degree online program
Medical Office Administration Certificate Program online program
Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration Certificate online program
Pharmacy Technician Program Certificate online program