Support the veterinary health-care team as a veterinary assistant

Georgian’s Veterinary Assistant program will move to the Barrie Campus in Summer 2026. The Veterinary Technician program will be delivered at our Barrie Campus in Fall 2026.

This move allows students to learn in upgraded, purpose-built spaces designed specifically for animal health education, closer to industry partners, community supports, and other Georgian health and science programs.

Absolutely. Hands-on learning remains at the heart of your Georgian experience.

You’ll begin by building confidence through simulation and advanced learning models, then apply your skills in real-world environments through partnerships with local veterinary clinics, shelters, and community organizations, working directly with live animals.

Yes. An on-site veterinary clinic, open to the public, will operate at the Barrie Campus.

This clinic will allow students to apply classroom learning in a professional setting, caring for live animals that require veterinary attention.

Students can expect several hands-on experiences per week, in various theory and lab courses.

You’ll gain exceptional experience working with a variety of species, including dogs and cats,

This range of animal interactions helps develop a practical understanding of animal behavior and care across multiple species.

Both programs will be housed in a newly renovated state-of-the-art building at the Barrie Campus that is being created for these programs.

This dedicated and modern environment will ensure students gain the most current, real-world veterinary experience.

Students beginning in Summer 2026 and onward will have access to dedicated classrooms and labs at the Barrie Campus.

Relocating to Barrie allows Georgian to:

• Create a modern, industry-aligned veterinary training space
• Expand placement and networking opportunities
• Offer cross-disciplinary learning with other health and science programs
• Provide students with access to enhanced campus services and amenities

Yes. You’ll graduate with the same credential and high-quality Georgian College education, supported by a newly renovated facility and even more opportunities for hands-on learning and career connections.

Yes. The same highly skilled and knowledgeable faculty who currently teach in the programs will continue to lead them at the Barrie Campus. Their expertise and commitment to student success remain central to your Georgian experience.

You can connect with our Student Recruitment team. We’ll continue to keep students updated as plans progress and the new facility takes shape through 2026.

While both of these professionals are valuable members of the veterinary health-care team, there are notable differences in the responsibilities.

A veterinary technician is often referred to as the veterinarian’s “right-hand person”. They are responsible for an assortment of duties including: anesthesia, surgical assisting, taking radiographs and completing diagnostic lab work as well as providing an array of nursing skills, such as intravenous catheterization and taking blood.

A veterinary assistant works to support the veterinary team by performing duties such as restraining animals, providing care for the animals (e.g. walking dogs, cleaning kennels), cleaning surgical instruments and the veterinary hospital as well as performing receptionist duties.

Veterinary assistants are not a regulated profession. Currently, there’s no professional association for veterinary assistants.

The most recent key performance indicator data (2019) found that 60 per cent of students in the Veterinary Assistant program found employment upon graduation.

Yes! You can expect classes (lectures and labs) any day between Monday to Friday, starting as early as 8 a.m. and extending into the evening. To be successful, you should have strong time management and study skills. Typically, you would be expected to complete chapter readings, review videos, lectures and procedures before lab as well as complete prep work for lab and lecture classes.

Yes. In your final semester, you’ll participate in courses that mimic a surgical rotation. With dogs and cats as patients, students assist the veterinarian and registered veterinary technician in the completion of spays and neuters.

These experiences will help you become job-ready upon graduation.