Veterinary Technician

Algonquin College’s two-year Veterinary Technician Ontario College Diploma program prepares students to become integral members of a veterinary health care team. The program combines classroom learning with hands-on experience in the 10,100 square-foot Veterinary Learning Centre and Clinic, which features exam rooms, a surgical suite, dental and radiography facilities, and husbandry areas. Students gain practical skills using the same equipment found in professional small animal clinics, providing a realistic and immersive learning environment.

Throughout the program, students apply their knowledge by providing medical care to shelter animals, helping prepare them for adoption while developing core competencies in physical exams, patient care, medication administration, specimen collection, sample analysis, surgical assistance, anesthesia, radiography, and nutritional support. Graduates leave the program ready to contribute confidently to veterinary clinics, hospitals, and related settings, equipped with the technical expertise and professional experience required to succeed in the veterinary profession.

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent.

What You’ll Learn

• Conduct basic patient examinations, monitor vital signs, and handle small animals safely in clinical settings.
• Administer medications, prepare pharmaceuticals, and assist with anesthesia, surgery, and dental procedures.
• Perform diagnostic procedures including radiographs, laboratory sample collection, and common veterinary tests.
• Apply practice management skills, client counseling, and ethical, socially responsible practices in veterinary care.