Student Experience
What to Expect
The Veterinary Technician program at Algonquin College is accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and has the Good Animal Practice Certificate from the Canadian Council on Animal Care. Our program provides students with a broad base of knowledge and skills that can be directly applied to various career paths and work environments in the Veterinary Medical Industry.
In the Veterinary Technician program at Algonquin College students will benefit from learning in the 10,100-square-foot Algonquin College Veterinary Learning Centre and Clinic. The facility includes a reception area, exam rooms, husbandry area, surgical suite, recovery, scrub and central sterilizing, digital x-ray suite, dentistry suite, lab analysis and treatment areas.
As the students are responsible for the care of the animals housed in the facility, future students will need to be aware that rotations will occur during holidays, weekends, early mornings and evenings, before and after regular class hours, seven days a week. The program contains extensive team/group work and future students should be as comfortable working in a team environment as they are working independently.
Success Stories and Testimonials
“My experience in the Veterinary Technician program at Algonquin College was formative, and I am deeply thankful for the opportunities it provided. I was able to combine my love for animals and my passion for healthcare in a meaningful way. At Algonquin College, we gained hands-on experience both on-campus providing preventative health services and assisting with elective surgeries for shelter animals, and off-campus at the local humane society, at the emergency hospital, and with large animals at nearby farms and barns. The classes offered by the college equipped me with all the necessary skills and knowledge to prepare for a career in animal healthcare. I look forward to continuing to grow in this field and I am grateful to Algonquin College and all my wonderful professors for helping me start my journey. ”
– Kara Wilson Graduate
“Cedarview Animal Hospital has been fortunate to have hired a number of successful students from Algonquin College’s Veterinary Technician Program. As graduates, all our technicians started with an excellent foundation of both theoretical and practical knowledge, and with a skill set to hit the ground running in practice. All are valuable professionals with significant responsibilities to the care and welfare of our veterinary patients and their families. We can be confident in the Veterinary Technician Program to provide graduates with a top quality education needed in today’s exciting veterinary profession.” -Dr. Nigel Gumley, Cedarview Animal Hospital
Work Integrated Learning
The Algonquin College Veterinary Learning Centre and Clinic is similar to a real-life small animal veterinary clinic, enabling students to have an on-campus learning experience using the up-to-date equipment encountered in the veterinary field. The program is unique in that students will provide medical care to animals from a local shelter to help prepare them for adoption. Students are involved in all aspects of animal care including husbandry, vaccination, surgical assisting (spay/neuter), microchipping, dental procedures, medical treatments, and adoption.
The program includes:
- Experiential learning opportunities with community partners such as the Ottawa Humane Society, Alta Vista Animal Hospital, the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum and the Therapeutic Riding Association of Ottawa–Carleton
- A 240-hour final practicum working with professionals in industry
- An on campus veterinary industry career fair
- Industry expert guest speakers
- Volunteer opportunities
- Community engagement