If you are someone who loves working with animals and has a desire to work in an environment where you can provide direct care, veterinary assistant may be the job for you. Veterinary Assistants work in a vets office along side veterinarians and vet technicians. They are responsible for many of the smaller, yet vital, tasks that are essential for running an animal hospital.
Some if the responsibilities include helping to restrain animals during treatment as well as knowing how to calm a distressed animal who is frightened. They also are responsible for cleaning and sterilizing examination rooms as well as cages where animals are kept.
Feeding the animals kept in the facility also is a task they are required to carry out. Some animals who are kept on a longer term basis need to be taken out and exercised. So although these responsibilities don't require the technical training the a veterinarian receives, they are none the less essential in providing quality care to any animals that are being treated.
Veterinary assistants usually do not require any more than a high school diploma or GED, though there are programs available that provide training for this job. Completing such a program can help you get placed in a facility, but is not necessary.
