A Day in the Life of a Veterinary Assistant

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work as a veterinary assistant? We spent some time at VCA Phoenix West Animal Hospital to learn what a typical day is like for a veterinary assistant with graduates from Carrington College.

“I love animals, I grew up watching Animal Planet and I had a farm and just, I love animals so I always wanted to do something and be there and help animals for the rest of my life,” Carrington College graduate Thalia said.

“My regular day would be coming in to the clinic, getting everything set up for pets to come in,” said Carrington College graduate Dulce.

“They get to do lots of things. Lots of hands on. They’re doing our blood draws and setting IV catheters,” said VCA Phoenix West Medical Director Dr. Marian Ansems.

“Basically helping pets,” Dulce said.

“I think a great assistant is someone who’s enthusiastic about being in the veterinary world. I think someone that is engaged in wanting to learn. I think someone that’s passionate about that relationship people have with their pets,” Dr. Ansems said.

“I actually had one of the customers here come here for her first exam. They’re like, ‘Oh, you really like your job. You get to see pets every day,’” Dulce said.

“Every day is different. Every patient that comes in is unique. There’s always going to be a common denominator of what’s normal, but you really have to roll with the punches in terms of what you’re going to see coming through the door,” Dr. Ansems said.

Veterinary assistants at VCA Phoenix West Animal Hospital see mostly dogs and cats, but also hamsters, guinea pigs, snakes and lizards.

“I wanted a career I loved that I would wake up every day and enjoy it,” Thalia said.

“I actually have had a lot of my friends ask me where I went to school and why did I choose this career and I do let them know hey, this is Carrington College,” Thalia said.

If this looks like fun, what are you waiting for? Learn more about the Veterinary Assisting program[1] at Carrington College here.

[1] For comprehensive consumer information, visit carrington.edu/cc/va.