Veterinary Assistant at Fanshawe College - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2026-02-09

Program overview

Program Overview

The one-year Veterinary Assistant certificate program covers the skills and knowledge required to assist in delivering quality animal care as a member of the veterinary team. You will gain a strong foundation in animal care, health, and well-being, preparing you for a veterinary clinic setting. As a Veterinary Assistant, you will work closely with Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians to care for various types of animals.

Program Structure

The Veterinary Assistant program is designed to provide comprehensive training over a 30-week duration. This program is structured to include:

Classroom learning to build technical knowledge.
On-campus and off-campus labs for hands-on training.
A field placement to gain real-world experience in a veterinary setting.

Students will also have the opportunity to learn about various animal care settings, including companion animals, exotic pets, and large animals. This program prepares students for a variety of career paths in the animal care field.

Featured Experiences

Hands-on training through on- and off-campus labs.
Field placement to provide practical experience in a veterinary environment.
Exposure to a wide range of animal care, including exotic and agricultural animals.
Collaboration with Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians.

Career Options

Graduates of the Veterinary Assistant program can pursue various career opportunities in Canada, including:

Veterinary Clinics: Assist veterinarians in providing care to pets and other animals.
Animal Shelters: Work in facilities that care for abandoned or stray animals.
Wildlife Sanctuaries: Help in the rehabilitation and care of injured wildlife.
Research Facilities: Support animal care in laboratory settings for research purposes.
Agricultural Settings: Assist in the care of farm animals and livestock.
Grooming & Pet Care Businesses: Provide grooming and care services for pets.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit Fanshawe College official website

Last updated on 2026-02-09

Program overview

Academic Requirements

The admission requirements for the Veterinary Assistant certificate program at Fanshawe College are as follows:

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, mature student status, with the following:

English: Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent course
Mathematics: Grade 12 C or U, or Grade 11 C, U or M, or equivalent course
Biology: Grade 11 C or U, or equivalent course

Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees Ontario College Certificate.

For international students, admission equivalencies depend on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country.

Transcripts may be required to be evaluated by WES in some cases.

For any clarification and support regarding the admission requirements, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Language Requirements

The following English language proficiency tests are accepted for the Veterinary Assistant program:

TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 4.5 with no score less than 4 in any band
IELTS Academic: Overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in any of the four bands
CAEL: Overall score of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands; score of 80 in listening
PTE Academic: Minimum score of 53 with no score less than 45 in any of the four bands
Cambridge English: Overall score of 169 with no language skill less than 162
ESL4/GAP5: Minimum grade of 80% in Level 8, 75% in Level 9, or 70% in Level 10
Duolingo: Overall score of 105, with no score lower than 95
LANGUAGECERT: Overall score of 65 with no score less than 60 in any of the four skills

Please check with our team for more details.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!

Last updated on 2026-02-27

Program overview