top of page
Veterinary Assistant Training

​

Veterinary Assistants are entry-level healthcare professionals that work in many different veterinary settings. They work with Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians to provide medical care for sick or injured animals.

​

If you love working with animals, take the first step towards a new career in the veterinary field with College of the Desert's Veterinary Assistant Program, offered in connection with MK Education.

​

Through this training program, receive quality training from MK Education’s dedicated instructors with expertise from the field. Get hands-on training to be able to work side-by-side with a veterinary team tending to the needs of animals. Students learn more about a number of veterinary assistant duties and jobs dedicated to treating domestic animals – from birds and reptiles to cats and dogs – and believe they all deserve compassionate medical care. Human relations for the veterinary assistant, medical terminology, and veterinary technology are also covered.

​

​

Course Details

 

This course will introduce students to the science of veterinary medicine. Students will learn to care for sick and injured animals as well as learn client relations, office and hospital procedures, animal nursing, exam room practices, surgical preparations, laboratory processes and radiology and pharmacology terminology. 

 

Financial Assistance

 

This program is eligible for financial assistance under the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA).  Certain eligibility requirements apply.  

 

 


 

Contact Workforce at 760.863.2500 for more information.

Payment Plans are also available.

To learn more, call 760.776.7420 or email codpace@collegeofthedesert.edu.  

Area of Study Include

​​

  • Office Practices & Medical Records

  • Medical Terminology

  • Animal Behavior & Handling

  • Pharmacology

  • Pet Loss & Grief

  • Basic Animal Nursing

  • Dental Assisting

  • Surgical Assisting

  • Diagnostic Imaging

  • Critical Care Assisting & Triage

  • Exotic & Large Animal Husbandry

 

Prerequisites

​​

  • At least 18 years of age for the Externship Program

  • High school diploma or G.E.D.

  • Proficient in the English language

  • 9th grade Algebra & Arithmetic

​

​

Externship Program


The externship serves as working experience, as well as a reference for future employment. As part of the program, students receive hands-on-training by completing a 100 clock-hour externship at a local veterinary site through MK Education.

​

MK Education has established relationships with sites (clinics and hospitals) nationwide to provide potential opportunities to complete this externship for all students.

 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is projected to grow 9% in the next decade, faster than the average for all occupations. 
In addition to fast employment growth, high occupational turnover should result in very good job opportunities.

  • Facebook Round
  • Instagram - Black Circle
  • LinkedIn Round
Be a part of 
COLLEGE OF THE DESERT
Become a
Veterinary Assistant
Today!

Success! Message received.

For immediate questions, contact MK Education at 630-541-3600 X 8606

bottom of page