Veterinary Technology Assistant
the Veterinary Technician Associate Degree Program and the Veterinary Assistant Certificate Program.
The Veterinary Assistant Certificate Program provides training in basic veterinary health and handling of domestic species, focusing on tasks for assisting veterinary technicians and veterinarians.
As a program graduate, you will be able to perform tasks that include:
- Restrain and care for animals
- Assist with post-surgical nursing and care
- Assist in the laboratory
- Perform office procedures
- People who love animals
- Recent high school or GED graduates
- Those seeking a retraining opportunity
- Short-term training option for students without academic credentials who have an interest in veterinary medicine
- Career exploration with a limited investment of time and money
Admission Requirements
- Demonstrate you are ready for college. Visit ccd.edu/collegeready to learn more.
- It is important to attend the Veterinary Technology information session to learn more about the program.
CCD Online offers fully online certificates and degrees, and individual online courses to help match your busy schedule. This program offers 19 percent of its certificate either online or through a hybrid program.
Your first step is to see if online learning is right for you. Online and hybrid environments offer much more flexibility but require more self-direction and self-discipline. Certain work habits, learning styles and skills contribute to a successful online or hybrid learning experience.
Online Experience Questions?
303.352.6785 | TLC@ccd.edu
Some programs and/or courses may require additional fees in addition to the base tuition and fees. High-cost course fees are used to support the maintenance and development of the specialty course components and labs, and are embedded within your general tuition.
This program is eligible for federal financial aid.
Your first step is to connect with the Financial Aid office to discover how you can afford college. Our dedicated staff and support services help you wade through all the legal language and get you past the first hurdle to completing your educational goals.
In addition, CCD has $1,000,000 available in scholarships. Learn More!
Veterinary assistant students have one, 75-hour internship in a veterinary hospital or facility under the supervision of the veterinarian and veterinary technicians. Gain practical experience and use what you learned in the classroom!
CCD has partnerships with over 100 veterinary hospitals or facilities in and around Denver; our students are often hired by the facility after a successful internship. CCD students perform internships at area facilities. Some of them include:
- Banfield Pet Hospitals
- Care Animal Hospital
- Overland Animal Hospital
- Tender Touch Animal Hospital
- VCA Animal Hospitals
What Can I Do with My Major?
The veterinary assistant program will prepare you for immediate employment in a veterinary clinic. Opportunities for employment as a veterinary assistant are excellent. Job availability now exceeds the number of graduates. Please be aware that while this program provides an introduction to the field of veterinary medicine and will prepare you to be a veterinary assistant, it is not intended to help provide you admission to a college of veterinary medicine.
How Much Can I Expect to Earn?
The annual median pay for veterinary assistants was $38,150 ($18.34 hourly) in 2025.
The information provided here is by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
| Total of 2024 Graduates | Total Students Employed in their Field of Study | Total Students Who Have Transferred to 4-year Degree or Other Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | 20 | 2 |
The Veterinary Assistant certificate provides a direct pathway to the veterinary technology A.A.S. degree.
Veterinary Assistant courses are offered through concurrent enrollment partnerships with Adams 12 Five Star Schools and Cherry Creek School District, providing high school students with a direct pathway into the Veterinary Technology A.A.S. degree program.
Through a Transfer Articulation Agreement with Pickens Technical College, students who complete the Veterinary Assistant program may transfer 5 credits toward the Veterinary Technology A.A.S. degree.
The veterinary technology assistant program consists of 16 credit hours. You will complete the courses listed here during your studies.
| VETERINARY Technology ASSISTANT CERTIFICATE COURSES | CREDITS |
|---|---|
| * VET 1002 Veterinary Medical Terminology | 1 |
| VET 1003 Veterinary Assistant Restraint & Handling | 2 |
| VET1004 Assistant Large Animal | 1 |
| VET 1009 Applied Comprehension Animal Behavior | 3 |
| VET 1017 Veterinary Assistant Surgical Nursing & Care | 2 |
| VET 1014 Veterinary Assistant Laboratory & Clinical Procedures | 3 |
| * VET 1020 Office Procedures & Relations | 2 |
| * VET 1083 Internship: Private Practice | 2 |
| TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS | 16 |
*Transfers to veterinary technology program with completed veterinary technology assistant certificate.
Prerequisites
- Completion of a high school diploma or GED achievement of indicated assessment scores. See Step 3 of the steps to successful enrollment below.
If you haven’t done so yet, you must be a current CCD student to enroll in the veterinary technology assistant program. The CCD application is free.
You are invited to attend an online information and advising session, which will cover information for both the associate and certificate programs.
VET Program Remote Information Sessions
Join us for an information session to learn more about CCD's Vet Tech and Vet Assistant programs.
Visit our website for calendar of events and remote login information (scroll to the bottom)
- Reservations are not required.
All students must determine course placement in English classes. CCD provides several options for you to identify what Math and English courses would be right for you. You will also be able to upload a copy of your unofficial transcript into the application if you have previously taken college-level classes.
Upon acceptance into the program, you must sign a letter of intent. This letter will be sent to you via your CCD student email from. You are not considered a part of this program until we have received a completed letter of intent.
Acceptance into the program is on a first-come, first-served basis and is based on the date the letter of intent is received.