Ontario College Certificate Veterinary Assistant (Kingston)

This is a one-year hands-on program focus­ing on the skills required to work in careers involving animal care. Students spend a large portion of their time working with animals. Students develop safe handling skills and learn how to perform physical examinations and treatments. The students operate the SLC "Scruffy Dog Salon” where they groom dogs under the supervision of experienced groomers. Lab time is also spent learning surgical sup­port techniques and basic clinical laboratory procedures which aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disease in domestic animals.

The program is structured around four areas:

Students learn about animal health and disease, behaviour, handling and general care (involving cats, dogs, exotic pets, wildlife and livestock), dog grooming, and basic laboratory procedures. Students also study computer operations and office procedures, and they practice communication and mar­keting techniques.

The skills graduates bring to their place of employment will help to increase both the quality and scope of the services provided to animals and their owners.