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Northern College

PROGRAM INFORMATION

This two-year diploma combines intensive coursework in animal sciences with hands-on clinical training in various environments. Students learn fundamental veterinary technology skills such as animal care and behavior, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, animal nutrition, and diagnostic imaging. Th

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PROGRAM INFORMATION

Academic Year :

2025-2026

Credential :

Ontario College Diploma

Program Delivery :

Full-Time

Duration :

2 Years

Length :

4 Semesters

Program Code(s) :

H058 - Haileybury Campus (HL)

DESCRIPTION

This two-year diploma combines intensive coursework in animal sciences with hands-on clinical training in various environments. Students learn fundamental veterinary technology skills such as animal care and behavior, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, animal nutrition, and diagnostic imaging. The curriculum also emphasizes ethics and communication to prepare students for the challenges of veterinary practice with professionalism and empathy. Experienced professionals lead classes, sharing practical insights to help students prepare effectively for their future careers.

Practical skills are a cornerstone of the program, with extensive lab sessions and externships allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. They gain proficiency in essential techniques like physical examinations, administering medications, venipuncture, anesthesia, patient monitoring, and assisting in surgeries.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are ready to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and pursue registration from the OAVT to become a Registered Veterinary Technician, opening the door to a rewarding career in various settings, including private practices, research institutions, and zoos. Learn more about what an RVT is and what RVTs do from the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technician’s website at https://oavt.org/about/what-is-an-rvt/.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates may find employment as veterinary technicians working in veterinary practices, humane societies, public or private zoos, research facilities, telemedicine or with federal and provincial governments. They may also work as sales representatives for veterinary companies.

VOCATIONAL LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Participate in facility management utilizing traditional and electronic media and appropriate veterinary medical terminology and abbreviations.
  2. Communicate effectively and accurately in a professional manner in all formats - written, oral, nonverbal and electronic.
  3. Follow and uphold applicable laws and the OAVT’s code of ethics to maintain high ethical standards so that high quality care is provided to patients, clients, employers and the veterinary profession.
  4. Safely and effectively administer and dispense prescribed drugs to patients.
  5. Demonstrate and perform patient assessment techniques with minimum stress and maximum safety in a variety of animal species so that objective and subjective data is accurately obtained.

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Veterinary Technician

Program Outline 2025-2026

Veterinary Technician

Program Outline 2025-2026

  1. Demonstrate and perform husbandry, nutrition, therapeutic and dentistry techniques appropriate to various animal species as directed but the veterinarian in order to enhance wellness and achieve maximum health benefits for the patient.
  2. Safey and effectively select, utilize and maintain anesthetic delivery and monitoring instruments and equipment to provide maximum benefit and safety to the patient and staff.
  3. Safely and effectively manage and maintain patients in all phases of anesthesia providing for adequate anesthesia, analgesia and safe recovery.
  4. Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical procedures in a variety of animal species (ovariohysterectomy in dogs and cats, and orchiectomies in the dog, cat and other common species).
  5. Provide the appropriate instruments, supplies and environment to maintain asepsis during surgical procedures to ensure maximum safety and benefit to the patient.
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of proper handling, packaging and storage of specimens for laboratory analysis to ensure safety of patients, clients, and staff.
  7. Safely and effectively produce diagnostic radiographic and non-radiographic images using non manual restraint where possible to ensure maximum diagnostic benefit and minimize personnel radiation exposure.
  8. Safely and effectively handle common laboratory animals used in animal research.
  9. Describe provision of safe and effective care for birds, reptiles, amphibians, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, and ferrets.

PROGRAM COURSES

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the program. Programs at Northern College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with virtual learning activities.

| Semester 1 | Semester 1 | Hours | |

Source: https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/08/Veterinary-Technician-2025.pdf