The Certified Veterinary Assistant program is designed for animal lovers who want to begin or advance a career in animal care, no prior experience required. This interactive, multimedia‑rich program builds foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to support veterinarians in everyday clinical and care settings. Learners gain confidence working with animals while preparing for entry‑level roles in veterinary hospitals, shelters, zoos, and related environments.
Module 1: Communication in Healthcare
Module 2: Veterinary Office Practice
Module 3: Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology, Pharmacology, and Pharmacy
Module 4: Animal Behavior and Care
Module 5: Animal Nursing
Module 6: Surgical Assisting and Laboratory & Diagnostics
Module 7: First Aid for Dogs and Cats
Module 8: Farm Animals and Their Health
By completing the program, learners will be able to:
Understand and correctly use veterinary terminology
Provide basic first aid and routine care to animals
Assist veterinarians with health evaluations and patient support
Follow standard veterinary office procedures
Support the care and health of farm animals
Apply infection prevention and hazardous materials safety practices
Communicate effectively within veterinary care environments
Prepare to sit for the NCCB Certified Animal Care Worker (CACW) exam
Upon completion of this program, learners will be eligible to sit for the NCCB Certified Animal Care Worker (CACW) exam.
This class is an independent-study course. Students will have all the resources needed to successfully complete the course within the online material. A student helpdesk is available for technical support during the course enrollment.