Pursuing a career as a veterinary assistant has several benefits.
It opens many opportunities to interact closely with animals — a huge plus if you love them.
Because you get to work alongside certified veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other vet professionals, it broadens your knowledge and polishes your skills in the field too.
It is also a way to turn your love for animals into a career that pays well.
In case you did not know, veterinary assistants in Brownsville, TX, for example, earn an average of $29,000 annually.
With more certifications, experience, and advanced skills, they can get paid more and take home $35,000, $40,000, or even higher.
If you want to work as one and need help to get started, take a look at our list of veterinary assistant schools in Brownsville, TX below.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)
About the School
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is a public research university serving the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas.
As a member of the University of Texas system, they are committed to empowering their students for successful futures and higher quality of life.
They provide top-notch higher education and bilingual education in a wide range of areas, including health, technology, and biomedical research.
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, they offer associate, baccalaureate, master, and doctorate degrees.
They also award certificates and diplomas.
They have five campus locations: Brownsville, Edinburg, Harlingen, South Padre Island, and Rio Grande City.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Assistant Program is under UTRGV’s Continuing Education Curriculum.
It is designed to prepare students for the National Workforce Career Association Veterinary Assistant Certification.
It teaches the proper methods in:
- Caring for animals
- Recognizing signs of illness and disease in common pets, exotic species, and other animals
- Assisting veterinarians during laboratory exams and procedures
- Performing administrative tasks, such as fee collection, accounts payable, and banking
- Communicating and interacting with clients and their animals
Classes are a combination of lecture and laboratory sessions, and tuition costs $2,099.
Address: 101 St Joseph Dr, Brownsville, Texas 78520
Texas Southmost College
About the School
Texas Southmost College is an educational institution that offers career and technical education programs that lead to certificates and associate degrees for college-level work, continuing education, or workforce training.
Founded in 1926, they are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges as a degree-granting institution that awards certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees.
With the help of their dedicated teams of experts and industry professionals, they offer an array of pathways for students to achieve high-wage, high-demand careers.
From Humanities and Education to STEM and Health, whether in-classroom or online, they are committed to providing high-quality and affordable education that gives students the necessary tools and skills to “Be in Demand!”
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Assistant Program is an online program that teaches essential knowledge and skills to pursue a veterinary assistant position.
Its coverage ranges from facts of life and pet nutrition to health and safety issues and client assistance.
It consists of four courses:
- Become a Veterinary Assistant
- Become a Veterinary Assistant II: Canine Reproduction
- Become a Veterinary Assistant III: Practical Skills
- Veterinary Medical Terminology
Examples of topics featured in the Become a Veterinary Assistant syllabus are:
- History of Veterinary Practice and Dog and Cat Reproduction
- Vaccinology for Dogs and Cats
- Parasites Infesting Pets and People
- Prescription Diets for Pets
- Euthanasia
- Pet First Aid
- Workplace Safety
- Client Communications and Education
It requires 24 course hours, and offers two enrollment options:
- Instructor-led – Costs $135 and provides 6 weeks access
- Self-paced – Costs $135 and provides 3 months access
In the Become a Veterinary Assistant II: Canine Reproduction course, examples of topics included in the syllabus are:
- Prebreeding Assessment and Management
- Female and Male Reproductive Anatomy and Disorders
- Reasons for Female and Male Infertility
- The Reproductive Cycle
- Pregnancy Diagnosis and Care
- Neonatal Care
It requires 24 course hours, and offers two enrollment options:
- Instructor-led – Costs $135 and provides 6 weeks access
- Self-paced – Costs $135 and provides 3 months access
The Veterinary Assistant III: Practical Skills syllabus, meanwhile, also features a variety of topics, such as:
- Basic Restraint Techniques
- Blood Collection and Tests
- Urine Tests
- Surgeries
- Injections, Vaccines, and Worms
- Radiology and Medical Terminology
- Exam Room Skills
It requires 24 course hours, and offers two enrollment options:
- Instructor-led – Costs $135 and provides 6 weeks access
- Self-paced – Costs $135 and provides 3 months access
Finally, the Veterinary Medical Terminology syllabus includes:
- Basics of how medical terms are formed, defined, and analyzed
- Medical terms related to the musculoskeletal, digestive, urinary, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, reproductive, and nervous system
- Tests, procedures, and treatments
It also requires 24 course hours, and offers two enrollment options:
- Instructor-led – Costs $135 and provides 6 weeks access
- Self-paced – Costs $135 and provides 3 months access
To take all four courses, applicants can purchase the Veterinary Assistant Series.
It is instructor-led and requires 96 course hours for the price of $485.
All instructional materials are available online.
Address: 80 Ft Brown St, Brownsville, TX 78520, United States
Veterinary Assistant Schools by City in Texas
- Austin, TX2 Schools
- Brownsville, TX2 Schools
- Dallas, TX2 Schools
- El Paso, TX2 Schools
- Fort Worth, TX2 Schools
- Houston, TX3 Schools
- McAllen, TX2 Schools
- San Antonio, TX3 Schools
