Veterinary assistant

A veterinary assistant supports veterinarians and technicians with the hands-on care of animal patients and the running of the clinic. They restrain and comfort animals during exams, feed and clean, prepare exam and surgery rooms, assist with procedures, run basic lab tasks, and handle scheduling, records, and client communication.

The role is physically active and people- and animal-facing, requiring comfort handling stressed or frightened animals and reassuring their owners. Assistants work in clinics, animal hospitals, and shelters, and with an accessible entry path the job is a common first step into veterinary careers, suiting caring, dependable people who want hands-on work with animals and the option to advance.