Veterinary Technician
Program: VETN
Credential: Ontario College Diploma
Delivery: Full-time
Work Integrated Learning: 2 Field Placements
Length: 4 Semesters
Duration: 2 Years
Effective: Fall 2025
Location: Orillia
Description
This program provides an opportunity for students to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to be an integral member of a veterinary health care team. Students explore the range of activities carried out in companion and large animal practices, animal shelters, research facilities, zoos or wildlife facilities. Through in-class theory and simulations, combined with clinical experience in our veterinary teaching hospital, students learn to care for and handle animals, understand the basic principles of normal and abnormal life processes, and carry out routine laboratory and clinical procedures. Typical activities include obtaining and recording patient histories, collecting and analyzing laboratory samples, preparing patients, instruments and equipment for surgery, induction and monitoring of anesthesia, assisting in medical and surgical procedures, providing specialized nursing care, producing diagnostic radiographs and performing dentistry.
Career Opportunities
Graduates may find employment as a member of a veterinary health care team in veterinary hospitals, diagnostic labs, research facilities, zoos, and animal shelters, or may find employment related to pharmaceutical sales, livestock health management, or food animal inspections.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- perform physical examinations and provide medical care for a variety of species in a humane and ethical manner;
- assess behavioral signs, restrain and manage a variety of species in clinical situations;
- describe pharmacological agents and prepare pharmaceuticals as prescribed by a veterinarian;
- administer medications by common drug routes and perform medical treatments;
- prepare and maintain anesthetic delivery systems, induce and monitor patients under anesthesia;
- prepare and maintain the surgical area and assist during surgical procedures, while maintaining aseptic technique;
- maintain dental equipment, perform comprehensive dental charting and prophylactic procedures on dogs and cats;
- produce and critique standard and dental radiographs;
- collect and process samples of diagnostic laboratory work and perform common veterinary diagnostic tests;
- perform basic veterinary practice management and record-keeping, including computer applications;
- communicate in a professional manner for the purpose of educating clients and supporting the veterinary team regarding patient health and well-being;
- manage the husbandry and nutritional needs of a variety of species;
- describe the anatomy, physiology and disease processes in a variety of animal species;
- describe the role of professional associations and discuss the scope of legislation governing the veterinary team and the veterinary industry;
- describe the role of the veterinary technician and propose strategies to promote, advocate and advance the profession;
- apply environmentally friendly practices within the work environment;
- apply basic entrepreneurial strategies to identify and respond to new opportunities in the field of animal care.
External Recognition
The Veterinary Technician Program is accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians. Georgian College graduates are eligible to write the Veterinary Technician National Exam and apply for Registered Veterinary Technician status in Ontario. The Veterinary Technician program is accredited by the Canadian Council on Animal Care as a "Good Animal Practice" facility and is licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The Veterinary Teaching facility is accredited by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario as a companion animal hospital. Georgian College is a charter member of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technician Educators.
Program Progression
The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.
Fall Intake
- Sem 1: Fall 2025
- Sem 2: Winter 2026
- Sem 3: Fall 2026
- Sem 4: Winter 2027
Articulation
A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Please contact the program co-ordinator for specific details if you are interested in pursuing such an option. Additional information can be found on our website at http://www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/
Admission Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or mature student status
- Grade 12 English (C or U)
- Grade 12 Mathematics (C, M or U)
- Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C or U)
- Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry (C or U)
Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/
Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/
Selection Process
Applicants will be assessed and ranked based on academic grades. A minimum grade of 75% in each prerequisite subject is recommended.
Additional Information
Within 4 weeks of the program start, students must provide proof of current rabies vaccinations (administered within 1 year prior to the program start). Alternatively, students can provide results of an adequate titre* taken within 30 days prior to the program start. *Adequate titre is greater than 0.5 IU/ml: Health Canada.
Field Placements 1 and 2 run for the equivalent of six weeks following the completion of the winter semester in year one and two of the program.
Graduation Requirements
27 Program Courses
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses
2 Field Placements
Graduation Eligibility
To graduate from this program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester, from year to year, and to graduate is 60%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum of 50% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester unless otherwise stated on the course outline.
Program Tracking
The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more than one intake is offered contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | ||
| VETC 1002 | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 42 |
| VETC 1003 | Introduction to Veterinary Technology | 42 |
| VETC 1020 | Animal Care 1 | 14 |
| VETC 1021 | Animal Husbandry and Handling | 56 |
| VETC 1022 | Veterinary Lab Techniques 1 | 84 |
| Communications Course | ||
| Select 1 course from the communications list during registration. | 42 | |
| General Education Course | ||
| Select 1 course from the general education list during registration. | 42 | |
| Hours | 322 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| VETC 1007 | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 42 |
| VETC 1014 | Veterinary Radiography 1 | 56 |
| VETC 1016 | Veterinary Pharmacology 1 | 28 |
| VETC 1018 | Veterinary Lab Techniques 2 | 84 |
| VETC 2019 | Veterinary Office Practices | 28 |
| VETC 1023 | Animal Care 2 | 14 |
| VETC 1024 | Animal Nursing 1 | 70 |
| General Education Course | ||
| Select 1 course from the general education list during registration. | 42 | |
| Field Placement | ||
| VETC 1019 | Field Placement 1 | 160 |
| Hours | 524 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| VETC 2011 | Animal Nursing 2 | 70 |
| VETC 2012 | Introduction to Veterinary Anesthesia | 56 |
| VETC 2014 | Veterinary Radiography 2 | 42 |
| VETC 2018 | Veterinary Surgical Techniques | 56 |
| VETC 2020 | Veterinary Pharmacology 2 | 28 |
| VETC 2023 | Veterinary Dentistry 1 | 28 |
| VETC 2026 | Clinical Care of Animals 1 | 14 |
| Communications Course | ||
| Select 1 course from the communications list during registration. | 42 | |
| Hours | 336 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| VETC 2002 | Animal Diseases | 42 |
| VETC 2003 | Companion Animal Nutrition | 28 |
| VETC 2024 | Veterinary Dentistry 2 | 56 |
| VETC 2027 | Clinical Care of Animals 2 | 14 |
| VETC 2028 | Livestock and Equine Medicine | 35 |
| VETC 2029 | Research and Exotic Animal Medicine | 35 |
| VETC 2030 | Surgery and Anesthesia Techniques | 98 |
| VETC 2031 | Veterinary Clinical Practice | 42 |
| General Education Course | ||
| Select 1 course from the general education list during registration. | 42 | |
| Field Placement | ||
| VETC 2022 | Field Placement 2 | 160 |
| Hours | 552 | |
| Total Hours | 1734 | |
Graduation Window
Students unable to adhere to the program duration of two years (as stated above) may take a maximum of four years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission.
Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs.
Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.