Veterinary Assistant Schools in St. Louis, MO

About the School

South Technical High School is an educational institution that prepares students for their careers and the future by providing real-world skills, real-world experiences, and interactive, hands-on learning opportunities.

They offer career and technical education for free, allowing students to explore their fields of interest before graduation.

They not only give them college and high school credits, but they also award them industry certifications and lifelong skill sets.

Through partnerships with businesses and industry leaders, they open many opportunities for their students to advance and thrive after high school.

From scholarships, internships, mentorships, and apprenticeships to part-time employment and full-time employment offers, they want to educate and train their students to reach their full potential.

Courses Offered

The Veterinary Assistant Program teaches the science of veterinary medicine, particularly animal care and training, grooming, medical terminology, disease prevention, and clinical procedures.

It allows students to work closely with a wide variety of animals and provide the necessary medical care under the supervision of certified industry professionals.

It teaches students the following:

• Animal handling
• Diagnostics
• Examination and treatment procedures
• Boarding and grooming
• Medical terminology
• Anatomy and physiology
• Nutrition
• Behavior
• Diseases and parasites
• Sterilization

It consists of classroom time and laboratory time and takes two years to complete.

About the School

St. Louis Community College is a public community college established in 1962.

They are the region’s largest higher educational institution, serving more than 1.3 million students over the years.

They are dedicated to preparing their students for the workforce to make a positive impact in their community and on the economy.

Their nearly 80 career programs, 22 college-transfer options, and continuing education range from Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Social and Behavioral Sciences to Industrial Occupations and Hospitality.

Since 1966, they have continuously held accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Throughout Missouri, they have multiple Campuses, Education Centers, Workforce Training Centers, and Centers of Excellence.

Courses Offered

The Veterinary Assistant Program introduces the typical duties and responsibilities of a veterinary assistant in a veterinary clinic or hospital.

It aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide animal care and ensure daily operations run smoothly.

Examples of topics covered in the syllabus are:

• The history of veterinary practice
• Vaccinology
• Parasites of pets
• Pet first aid
• Nutrition and prescription medication
• Client communication and education
• Euthanasia
• Workplace safety

There are two enrollment options:

• Self-paced – Start anytime and study at your own pace, costs $135
• Instructor-led –Taught by a registered veterinary technologist, costs $135

The full program requires 24 course hours.

About the School

The Academy of Pet Careers is a vocational career school that offers programs focusing on pet-related careers.

They have two main goals — set their students up for success and empower pets.

They want to teach students the skills necessary to excel in their chosen fields by providing a hands-on environment that simulates the real job.

Whether Dog Grooming, Dog Training, or Veterinary Assisting, they keep their classes small so that students receive one-on-one, personalized instruction from experts.

They also aim to educate about animal behavior and canine communication to develop a healthy human-pet bond and cooperative relationship.

Courses Offered

The Veterinary Assisting Program provides a comprehensive education in veterinary assisting through in-person training, personalized attention, and career mentorship.

It consists of hands-on and lecture-based education in small class sizes and uses a modern and optimized curriculum.

It covers husbandry, how to assist veterinarians in exams, surgeries, and other procedures, how to take patients’ vitals, administer medication, and care for hospitalized animals, and how to communicate with pet owners about the needs of their animals.

The curriculum features a wide range of veterinary medicine topics, such as:

• Introduction to Veterinary Assisting
• Maintaining a Clean and Safe Environment
• Common Veterinary Medical Conditions
• Small Animal Identification and Communication
• Handling and Restraint of Canines and Felines
• Small Animal Husbandry and Nutrition
• Laboratory Procedures
• Pharmacology and Medical Care
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Surgical Assisting
• Pet CPR and First Aid

The full program also offers dual certification opportunities and job assistance and takes 5 months to complete.

About the School

The Missouri Veterinary Medical Association is an organization that focuses on educating the public on animal welfare issues to further the health of animals in the state of Missouri.

They are dedicated to promoting veterinary healthcare, continuing education, and veterinary medicine programs that can make a difference.

They provide various education and employment opportunities to those with a passion for animals.

Their mission statement is “People Helping Animals, Animals Helping People.”

Courses Offered

The Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) Program is an online program that delivers high-quality veterinary assisting training that meets the needs of veterinary facilities.

It is made up of 3 certification levels:

CVA Level I

• 500 hours
• Complete and pass the Level I online program and test

CVA Level II

• 1000 hours
• Must be a CVA I
• Complete and pass the Level II online program and test

CVA Level III

• No additional hours required
• Must be a CVA II
• Complete and pass the Level III online program and test

Successful completion of the entire program provides many benefits, such as:

• Certificate – All successful applicants will receive a CVA Certification with their name, date, and level of certification achieved.
• Uniform Training – The training program is standardized for entry-level veterinary assistant positions.
• Title – Upon completion, graduates can use the CVA designation after their names.
• Recognition – Graduates will receive formal recognition of their veterinary knowledge and skills.
• Portability of Employee Qualifications – With a CVA status, individuals can increase their employment chances.
• Promotion of Certification as an Employer Benefit – The Association will continue to emphasize the value of employing their graduates as member veterinarians.

About the School

The University of Central Missouri is a public university established in 1871 as Normal School No. 2.

They provide high-quality education in a broad range of fields of study while remaining one of the country’s most affordable universities.

They offer 150 majors and minors, 37 graduate programs, and 32 professional accreditations in Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Education, Health Science and Technology, and more.

At present, they are home to 10,500+ students from all over the world who attend on-campus and online classes.

All of their programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

They are also a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Courses Offered

The Veterinary Assistant Program equips students with the essential knowledge and skills for a rewarding career in the pet healthcare field.

It is an online, self-paced course that requires 188 hours.

Developed by seasoned veterinary professionals, the comprehensive curriculum teaches the following:

• Duties of a veterinary assistant
• Animal safety and nutrition
• Small and large animal care
• Pharmacy and pharmacology
• Laboratory and surgical procedures
• Patient management
• Client management
• Computer fundamentals
• Microsoft Word and Excel

The full program costs $2,999.