Working as a veterinary assistant is something that you might want to consider if you love animals and need a decent-paying job.
Veterinary assistants in Denver, CO, for instance, get paid an average base salary of $19.51 per hour, which is 16% higher than the national average.
If they are more experienced and have more specialized skills, they can take home as much as $24 per hour.
They get to be around dogs, cats, and other pets every day, assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in performing examinations and procedures, and enjoy a rewarding career.
However, before you can enter the veterinary assisting field, you have to take a veterinary assistant program.
Take a look at the veterinary assistant schools in Denver, CO below to see what options are available for you.
Community College of Denver
About the School
The Community College of Denver is a public community college established in 1967.
Sitting on a 150-acre campus, they are committed to providing a comprehensive, supportive, and effective environment to create unique and positive campus experiences for their students.
Whether in-person, remote, or online, their classes use different approaches to deliver only high-quality learning.
They have academic and accelerated programs that award degrees and certificates in a wide range of fields of study, including Business, Education, Health Sciences, Manufacturing, Public Safety and Legal Services, and STEM.
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, their mission is to provide every member of their community with an opportunity to gain quality higher education and achieve success in their personal and professional endeavors.
Their core values are Involvement, Student-Focus, Integrity, Lifelong Learning, Experience, and Healthy Work Environment.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Technology Assistant Certificate Program aims to train students in veterinary health.
It focuses on how to handle various animals and how to assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
It teaches the typical veterinary assisting duties and responsibilities, such as:
- Restraining and caring for animals
- Assisting in the laboratory
- Assisting with post-surgical nursing and care
- Learning office procedures
Requiring 16 total credits, its course map includes:
- Veterinary Medical Terminology
- Office Procedures and Relations
- Applied Comprehension Animal Behavior
- Veterinary Assistant Restraint and Handling
- Assistant Large Animal Nursing
- Veterinary Assistant Surgery and Nursing Care
- Vet Assistant Lab and Clinical Procedures
- Internship
Upon successful completion, graduates can consider career opportunities in private veterinary practices, research laboratories, zoos, kennels, and local, state, and federal agencies.
Address: 1070 Alton Way building 849, Denver, CO 80230, United States
Community College of Aurora
About the School
The Community College of Aurora is a public community college founded in 1983.
A part of the Colorado Community College System, they provide pathways for educational and professional development.
Every year, they serve thousands of college students who come from diverse backgrounds.
They are historically known as the “college without walls” because they are committed to being an institution that is free from all barriers to student success.
They want to make every student know that they are valued, matter, and belong.
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, they offer a wide array of bachelor’s and certificate programs and have day/evening/weekend, hybrid, and online class schedules.
From Business, Education, and Social Sciences to Computer and Digital Technologies, Mathematics and Science, and Skilled Trades, their programs are designed to launch new careers quickly.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Assistant Series Program is offered through ed2go, an online learning platform.
It requires 96-course hours and is taught by an experienced veterinarian and college instructor.
The syllabus is divided into four courses.
The first course is called Become a Veterinary Assistant, and it covers the following topics:
- Dog and Cat Reproduction
- Parasites Infesting Pets and People
- Vaccinology for Dogs and Cats
- Euthanasia and Helping Clients with Pet Loss
- Client Education and Communication
- Pet Prescription Diets and Nutrition
- Workplace Operations and Safety
- And more
The second course is called Become a Veterinary Assistant II: Canine Reproduction, and it covers:
- The Reproductive Anatomy and Disorders in Male and Female Animals
- The Reproductive Cycle, Natural Breeding, Artificial Insemination, and Pregnancy
- Whelping: Normal and Assisted
- Pregnancy Diagnosis and Care
- Neonatal Care: Birth to Six Months
- And more
The third course is called Become a Veterinary Assistant III: Practical Skills, and it covers the following:
- Basic Restraint Techniques
- Gender, Age, and Dosage Calculations
- Blood and Urine Tests
- Exam Room Skills and Surgeries
- Injections, Vaccines, and Worms
- Hygiene 101
- Radiology and Medical Terminology
- And more
The fourth course is called Veterinary Medical Terminology, and it covers:
- Musculoskeletal, Reproductive, Digestive, Urinary, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nervous, Integumentary, and Endocrine Systems
- Physical Exams, Drugs, and Dissection
- Hematologic, Lymphatic, Immunologic, and Oncological Terminology
- And more
The entire program can be taken using a PC or Mac and all instructional materials are included in the $485 enrollment fee.
Address: 710 Alton Way, Denver, CO 80230
Pickens Technical College
About the School
Pickens Technical College is a public two-year technical college that prepares students for the workforce.
They are committed to equipping them with key knowledge and skills to excel in their chosen careers.
They are accredited by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, the Department of Education, Aurora Public Schools, and the Council of Occupational Education.
They offer Associate Degree and Certificate programs in a variety of fields, such as Health, Arts & Technology, Natural Sciences, and Skilled Trades.
They have in-classroom sessions, online learning, internships, and apprenticeships to suit different lifestyles.
They strive to open plenty of opportunities for their students to acquire state-of-the-art skills and work habits to achieve their personal and professional goals.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Assistant Program teaches the roles and responsibilities of a veterinary assistant.
It also builds the skills essential to succeed in the veterinary medicine field.
Its course objectives are:
- Animal Management
- Animal Care
- Animal Health and Nutrition
- Animal Handling
- Office Administration Skills
- Applicable Standards and Regulations
It teaches students how to restrain pets, administer medications or immunizations, assist veterinarians, monitor pet progress, and control prescription refills and authorizations.
It involves 50% classroom learning and 50% hands-on practical work.
It requires 26 credits and takes one year to complete.
Address: 500 Airport Blvd, Aurora, CO 80011, United States
Veterinary Assistant Schools by City in Colorado