Veterinary Assistant Program
Our Veterinary Assistant diploma program is located within our Highland Heights Veterinary Hospital location. Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital is modeled after the human medical concept providing advanced veterinary care and a 24-hour emergency department. Metropolitan's Highland Heights hospital houses several specialty departments which includes cardiology, critical care, oncology, neurology/neuro-surgery, surgery (soft-tissue and orthopedic), ophthalmology, internal medicine, and exotics. As well as hosting an in house blood bank where a specialized team collects blood donations later used for our own hospitalized patients.
What does this mean for our students?
Our Veterinary Assistant students will have the unique opportunity to apply their knowledge from the classroom into the clinical setting by having hands-on opportunities. Students learn to be an effective veterinary assistant through the study of veterinary office procedures, animal handling and restraint, medical terminology, radiology, and ultrasound imaging.
During the externship portion of the program students have an opportunity to put into action the job specific skills learned by assisting both veterinarians and veterinary technicians all the while spending time in a veterinary emergency room and specialty hospital.
Why Metropolitan Veterinary Academy?
"What makes this program so special is the partnership between the Academy and the specialty hospital. Students don't just learn in the classroom—they immediately apply what they're learning in a real veterinary hospital." - Jeanette Fessler, RVT, Campus Director
NAVTA Approved Veterinary Assistant Program
Our Veterinary Assistant program follows the standards set by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), ensuring students receive high-quality, career-focused training. As a NAVTA Approved program, our curriculum is designed to prepare you with the hands-on skills and knowledge needed in today’s veterinary settings.
Choosing a NAVTA Approved Veterinary Assistant program means you’re gaining an education that meets industry standards, helping you stand out to employers and feel confident entering the workforce.
Program Objectives
This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
-
Utilize knowledge and interpersonal skills to educate clients and communicate effectively with colleagues.
-
Operate and maintain veterinary equipment and facilities.
-
Provide appropriate restraint for physical examinations and other diagnostic procedures.
-
Maintain inventory and order processing of medications and other hospital supplies.
-
Provide support with pre- and post-operative patients.
-
Prepare the patient and maintain sterility for common surgical procedures.
-
Properly collect, store, and package laboratory samples.
-
Provide medical treatments to animals under veterinary care with supervision.
-
Assist with digital imaging by taking radiographs or assisting with ultrasounds.
“The core advantage of the Metropolitan Veterinary Academy is its emphasis on hands-on learning.”
Dr. Ehresman, DVM
Medical Director
"I am so thankful to have been able to be a part of Metropolitan Veterinary Academy. The caring teachers and staff have supported and helped me grow throughout the entire program. I found this experience extremely valuable and would recommend it to others."
Program Overview
Build a strong foundation in veterinary medicine through hands-on training, clinical skills, and professional communication. Students graduate prepared for entry-level careers in veterinary hospitals and animal care facilities.
Veterinary Principles & Practice
Start your journey into veterinary medicine.
Build a strong foundation in veterinary medicine while learning how veterinary teams work together to provide quality patient care.
Topics Include:
-
Veterinary team roles and responsibilities
-
Professional communication
-
Animal welfare and ethics
-
Patient care fundamentals
-
Hospital safety and biosecurity
-
Career exploration and professionalism
Veterinary Front Office
Be the first point of contact in animal healthcare.
Learn the administrative and customer service skills that keep veterinary hospitals organized and running efficiently.
Topics Include:
-
Client relations and communication
-
Appointment scheduling
-
Medical records management
-
Telephone etiquette
-
Veterinary software systems
-
Professional workplace skills
Veterinary Medical Terminology
Learn the language of veterinary medicine.
Build confidence using the medical terms, abbreviations, and anatomy vocabulary used in veterinary practice.
Topics Include:
-
Medical prefixes and suffixes
-
Anatomical terminology
-
Veterinary abbreviations
-
Disease terminology
-
Diagnostic terminology
-
Medical documentation
Laboratory Animals & Exotics
Explore care beyond cats and dogs.
Learn the unique care, handling, and welfare needs of laboratory animals and exotic species.
Topics Include:
-
Small mammal husbandry
-
Avian care
-
Reptile and amphibian care
-
Exotic animal handling
-
Species-specific behaviors
-
Animal welfare considerations
Animal Restraint & Handling
Learn safe and confident animal handling techniques.
Develop hands-on skills for safely handling veterinary patients while reducing stress for animals and caregivers.
Topics Include:
-
Canine restraint techniques
-
Feline restraint techniques
-
Animal behavior and body language
-
Fear-free handling
-
Patient movement and transport
-
Veterinary safety practices
Veterinary Pharmacology
Understand how medications support animal health.
Explore the medications commonly used in veterinary medicine and how they support patient care.
Topics Include:
-
Drug classifications
-
Medication administration
-
Dosage calculations
-
Prescription terminology
-
Medication safety
-
Common veterinary treatments
Common Diseases & Medical Conditions
Learn to recognize and understand animal illnesses.
Study common diseases affecting companion animals and the role veterinary teams play in treatment and prevention.
Topics Include:
-
Infectious diseases
-
Internal and external parasites
-
Endocrine disorders
-
Gastrointestinal conditions
-
Skin and ear diseases
-
Preventive healthcare
Laboratory Procedures
Become a veterinary diagnostic assistant.
Learn how laboratory testing helps veterinarians diagnose and monitor animal health.
Topics Include:
-
Urinalysis
-
Fecal examinations
-
Blood testing
-
Diagnostic screening
-
Laboratory safety
-
Quality control
Anatomy & Physiology I & II
Understand how animals' bodies function.
Study the major body systems and how they work together to maintain animal health.
Topics Include:
-
Cells and tissues
-
Skeletal and muscular systems
-
Cardiovascular system
-
Respiratory system
-
Digestive system
-
Endocrine and reproductive systems
Radiology
See what lies beneath the surface.
Discover how veterinary imaging is used to diagnose injuries and disease safely and effectively.
Topics Include:
-
Radiographic positioning
-
Radiation safety
-
Image evaluation
-
Anatomy identification
-
Diagnostic imaging
-
Veterinary radiology equipment
Surgical Assisting & Preparation
Step into the veterinary surgical suite.
Learn how to prepare patients, maintain a sterile environment, and assist during veterinary procedures.
Topics Include:
-
Surgical instrumentation
-
Patient preparation
-
Aseptic technique
-
Sterilization methods
-
Surgical suite procedures
-
Surgical assisting skills
Clinical Externship
Gain real-world veterinary experience.
Apply your classroom knowledge in a veterinary practice while working alongside experienced professionals.
Topics Include:
-
Clinical experience
-
Patient care support
-
Professional development
-
Client interaction
-
Hospital workflow
-
Career readiness