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Duration

1 year

Tuition

$3,688

  Kitchener-Waterloo

Sep 8-Sep 8

Plus 1 other start dates

Jan 4 - Jan 4 2028

Commitment

Full-Time

Delivery

Hybrid

Credential

Certificate

Year Founded

1967

Scholarships

yes

Conestoga College’s Veterinary Assistant program is a one-year Ontario College Certificate designed for individuals who want to turn their passion for animals into a career in animal care. The program prepares students to support veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians in a variety of settings, including veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, shelters, and other animal care facilities. Through a combination of classroom learning and practical training, students gain foundational knowledge in animal health, nutrition, and husbandry, while learning how to safely handle and care for a wide range of animals.

The program emphasizes humane, ethical, and simulation-based training to help students build confidence and technical skills in a controlled learning environment. Students learn to assist with veterinary procedures such as surgical preparation, diagnostic imaging, laboratory testing, and pharmaceutical preparation, while also supporting daily clinic operations and client communication. A hands-on work placement in the second term allows students to apply their knowledge in a real veterinary setting, strengthening their professional, technical, and interpersonal skills while contributing to the health and well-being of animals.

Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or 19 years of age or older with mature student status.

What You’ll Learn

  • Safe handling and restraint techniques for small and large animals.
  • Animal grooming, shelter care and basic diagnostic procedures.
  • Surgical support and lab skills using simulation and advanced models.
  • Client communication and veterinary office administration.
  • Real-world experience through a work placement in an animal care facility.

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Next Cohort: Sep 8-Sep 8

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Student Reviews (31)

Write a Review

Conestoga College

Administrative issues

Dan

May 12, 2026

Graduated From

Conestoga College

Overall:

2 out of 5

Instructors:

3 stars

Curriculum:

4 stars

Job Assistance:

na

This program has been very poorly administered from a scheduling standpoint.

The course is divided into 5 levels with scheduled breaks between each level. When Levels 3 and 4 became available, I registered and arranged my vacation time with work...

This program has been very poorly administered from a scheduling standpoint.

The course is divided into 5 levels with scheduled breaks between each level. When Levels 3 and 4 became available, I registered and arranged my vacation time with work around the published schedule and the week break between levels.

Only one week before Level 3 was supposed to begin, the start date was delayed by a week. This now places my previously approved vacation during the final week of the level.

What is even more frustrating is that there has been no clear communication on whether the remaining levels will also shift by a week or whether they plan to remove the scheduled break between Levels 3 and 4 entirely.

Most students in part-time evening programs are balancing work and personal commitments, so reliable scheduling and timely communication are important. Delays can happen, but changing dates with very little notice and failing to provide a clear updated schedule shows a lack of organization and consideration for students.

Conestoga College

lack of support for international student

Anonymous

Kitchener-Waterloo • April 11, 2026

Graduated From

Business

Overall:

1 out of 5

Instructors:

1 stars

Curriculum:

1 stars

Job Assistance:

na

conestoga refuses to give me back my money due to the fact that i didnt withdrew on time, despite showing my health related isses why i was unable to withdrew on time, they still refuses which means to me that they dont really care about international ...

conestoga refuses to give me back my money due to the fact that i didnt withdrew on time, despite showing my health related isses why i was unable to withdrew on time, they still refuses which means to me that they dont really care about international student wellbeing. Also, during exams i didnt know the camera didnt caption my student card properly, despite the professor seeing me bring it out of my pocket i was giving zero for someone learning how to use computer to write exams for the first time, because of that i have to pay addictional $1000+ to rewrite the course just because the camera didnt capture the card properly how ridiculous. Conestoga will do anything to rip international student. I wont recommend this school even to my enemy.

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