Things You'll Need:
- High school diploma or GED Vehicle for commuting Computer for online courses
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Step 1
Decide what level of skill you need. A veternary assistant is the one who provides basic care for the animals and deals with pet owners. Over time, you may acquire enough skill to assist with evaluations and procedures.
A veterinary technician is highly trained and administers tests, helps with medical procedures, and conducts initial exams to reach a diagnosis. -
Step 2
Because of the highly technical nature of this field, only one or two community colleges in a state generally offer this certificate, and students from other parts of the state are allowed to enroll. The college in the Sonoran area with this degree is Mesa Community College, part of the Maricopa Community College System which covers a huge area. Everything you need to enroll is found on the website, linked below.
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Step 3
Ask to see a counselor before enrolling. You may find that you can skip some of the non-specialized courses if you have already taken key courses in English and mathematics.
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Step 4
Choose the path that's best for you. You may want to take some courses online, but remember that a large part of veterinary science requires hands-on practice. Generally, this certificate requires between 70 to 80 credit hours.
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Step 5
Check with the veterinarians in your area to find out if you might work with them while studying. They may offer to pay some of your tuition, or to set up your hours around your class schedule.
