Veterinary
Assistant
Program

Veterinary Assistant
900 Clock Hour Certificate Program
Program Coordinator: Dena Adams
Monday - Thursday 5:00pm - 10:00 pm
Phone: 417.659.5430
Adams-d@mssu.edu

Program Overview: 

The Veterinary Assistant (Animal Care
Assistant) program provides individuals
the opportunity to gain knowledge, basic
skills and abilities necessary to perform
in a veterinary office or pet care
environment as a veterinary assistant or
animal care assistant. This program is
designed for students who would like to
assist the Veterinarian in maximizing the health care of animals. The student will learn basic nursing care for animals. Students will learn to assist in the operation of a veterinary practice. They will learn the basics of first aid, anatomy, routine care, emergency care, surgical preparation, basic nursing techniques, and animal environment maintenance. They will learn how animals communicate, animal behavior, training, and the life cycles of young, adult and senior animals. Students will learn teamwork and how to excel in the veterinary office. Depending on the state that the graduate is employed, the veterinary assistant may have more responsibilities.

Important Note: Franklin Technology Center programs are based on clock hours and may not be transferable to other education facilities. Franklin Technology Center requires students to maintain a 90% attendance and an overall 75% course average during the program. Students are not certified/registered upon graduation from the program. Missouri does not certify/register veterinary or animal care assistant. Franklin Technology Center’s program is not a veterinary technician program. To become a Veterinary Technician students must complete an accredited associate degree veterinary technician program.