Veterinary Assistant Schools in Dallas, TX

About the School

Dallas College is a community college founded in 1965.

They are one of the state’s largest community colleges, helping a total of almost 3 million students traverse their educational journey through the years.

Through their partnerships with school districts, four-year universities, and local business leaders, they can provide quality education and training programs that benefit their communities and the economy.

With the help of their 3,200+ full-time and adjunct faculty members, they offer 300+ academic and technical degrees and certificates and 100+ high-demand career programs and training that prepare their students for the workforce and the real world.

Their academic structure uses a “schools model” in which they mirror the seven career paths of Guided Pathways:

• School of Business, Hospitality and Global Trade
• School of Creative Arts, Entertainment, and Design
• School of Education
• School of Engineering, Technology, Mathematics and Sciences
• School of Health Sciences
• School of Law and Public Service
• School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology

Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, they award bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and certificates.

They are also a member of the American Association of Community Colleges, the Association of Texas Colleges and Universities, and the League for Innovation in the Community College.

Courses Offered

The Veterinary Assisting Certificate Program is designed to prepare students for the role of a veterinary assistant in a veterinary health team.

It teaches the best techniques and practices in assisting veterinarians and veterinary technicians in clinical settings, as well as performing veterinary procedures in research and other veterinary-related fields.

It requires 20 credit hours and takes 2 semesters to complete.

Semester 1

• Composition I
• Mathematics Elective
• Veterinary Parasitology
• Veterinary Office Management

Semester 2

• Biology for Science Majors I
• Introduction to Veterinary Technology
• Canine Feline Clinical Management or Equine Clinical Management
• Food Animal Clinical Management

To pass, a grade of “C” or better is required for all courses.

Upon completion, graduates can proceed to the Veterinary Technology Program for an Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology.

About the School

The Texas Veterinary Medical Association is a non-profit organization that represents the veterinary profession in the state of Texas.

They were organized in 1903 and are currently comprised of 5,400+ DVMs, licensed veterinary technicians, students, and industry professionals.

Their mission is “to promote, advocate for, and protect the veterinary medical profession and to advance animal health for the well-being of animals and humans.”

Throughout the state, they have several local Veterinary Medical Associations, such as in Bexar County, Collin County, East Texas, El Paso, Harris County, Tarrant County, Three Rivers, and Dallas County.

Courses Offered

The Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) Program is a high-quality, formal education program that provides the education and training necessary to work in the veterinary healthcare field.

It was developed to establish standards of competency and performance for those in the veterinary assisting field.

It is available online and consists of 40 hours of videos and web-based training.

To receive CVA Level I Certification, it requires:

• 500 hours of work experience under the supervision of a veterinarian or licensed vet technician
• Acquisition and demonstration of hands-on skills listed on the Skills Validation Checklist
• Mastery of Level I material
• Completed and approved Exam Application and Skills Validation Checklist
• Successfully completed certification examination – 70%

Upon completion, students should have gained a solid foundation in veterinary medicine and animal health, making them skilled, informed, reliable, and trusted members of their veterinary healthcare teams.