Veterinary Office Assistant?

Is anyone here a VOA? Or working as an assistant to a vet? 

I've recently been rethinking my career goals and working with animals is something I'm thinking about doing (my mother's going to flip as I've just spent the last 5 years working towards an English degree...   oh well! Life changes all the time). I came across a few job postings about veterinary office assistants. I've done some googling and read a few things but nothing beats getting some first-hand knowledge from people who work with vets, right? I'd be so thankful if you would share your stories: how you became a vet assistant? What it's like? How should I move forward if I do decide to be a vet office assistant?

And is there a difference between an office assistant and tech? 

But anyway, thank you so much! 

Not me personally, but my niece has been taking online classes to become a vet tech and is now working full-time in a very busy vet's office and loves it. She also has and extremely expensive English degree.

My friend in Toronto is a vet tech, previously vet assistant (not exactly the same as an office assistant, if I understand correctly). I think vet assistants help with the non-clinical aspects of the work. Think, holding the animals during subqs, possibly doing the pilling, etc. The vet tech is actually more involved in the clinical aspects of the work - drawing blood and such.

I feel like I'm almost having a mid-life crisis right now, lol, because I've been having very similar thoughts. Except I don't know if I could work in a vet's office, I think I'd cry too much during the bad times. And definitely can't deal with any more school at this point. But after going through what I did with Lucky, I almost feel like something snapped inside of me. Like I need to do something more... significant. I work for a huge company and love what I do, but suddenly, I don't feel the same satisfaction anymore.

Donutte said:

 
My friend in Toronto is a vet tech, previously vet assistant (not exactly the same as an office assistant, if I understand correctly). I think vet assistants help with the non-clinical aspects of the work. Think, holding the animals during subqs, possibly doing the pilling, etc. The vet tech is actually more involved in the clinical aspects of the work - drawing blood and such.

I feel like I'm almost having a mid-life crisis right now, lol, because I've been having very similar thoughts. Except I don't know if I could work in a vet's office, I think I'd cry too much during the bad times. And definitely can't deal with any more school at this point. But after going through what I did with Lucky, I almost feel like something snapped inside of me. Like I need to do something more... significant. I work for a huge company and love what I do, but suddenly, I don't feel the same satisfaction anymore.

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The difference between tech and assistant is something to think about, definitely. Do I want to be more involved "medically" or not?  Hmm...   I've glanced briefly at some college programs for vet assistant but haven't looked into how to be a vet technician - Judging from what you told me about your friend, I'm guessing it's a process from assistant to vet tech. 

YES! I thought about whether or not I could handle patients who are suffering or those who will need to be put to sleep. From the programs I saw, there are part-time options where people go 2-3 times a week to class after work and I'm sure there are practicums/hands-on activities as well as lessons on how to handle grieving and suffering patients and their owners.. so doing the part-time program seems less of a life-altering commitment since I could still work during the day. It just means I'll be sacrificing some time and money to explore this option.

Have you thought about volunteering at a shelter? I'm not sure if you have or are doing it but it gives me so much satisfaction, calmness and happiness. It's the best thing that happens to me every week and I look forward to it all the time, even if what I'm doing is scooping poop and washing dishes. 

(Edit: wow, I made so many grammatical mistakes... I'm so ashamed LOL!)

Here's the web site for the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America: http://www.navta.net/ There's info there about pursing a career as either a vet tech or a vet assistant.

Here's the equivalent web sites in Canada:

http://www.rvttcanada.ca/

https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/resources/aht-vt-careers

http://bcvta.com/

Don't limit yourself to just vet clinics and shelters with typical pets like cats and dogs. Vet techs and assistants work in all sorts of places that have animals: zoos, farms, aquariums, etc. Some people like to have a wide variety of species to work with and / or work in an environment that's not a typical office-like setting.

Correct, she became a certified vet assistant, and then while doing that she studied to become a vet tech, and eventually became that. Not sure everyone goes that route, I imagine it's possible some folks jump straight to vet tech. But this one made sense.

How close are you to finishing your Bachelors?  If you are getting close I would seriously consider finishing it.  A bachelors degree is a big asset and will be no matter what you as far as making a living.  I would look into the classes that are needed for a vet tech which is an associates.  You could make sure you have the classroom work done while finishing your degree.  You could then transfer those classes and go right into the clinical part of training.

I made the mistake many many years ago of dropping out of college because I didn't know what I wanted to do with my  life.  If I knew then what I know now I would've just picked something and finished that degree.  I probably would've gotten a history degree, can't do much with that besides teach, but I know now that a degree from an accredited university in anything can help with both getting a job and advancing in that job.

Denice said:

 
How close are you to finishing your Bachelors?  If you are getting close I would seriously consider finishing it.  A bachelors degree is a big asset and will be no matter what you as far as making a living.  I would look into the classes that are needed for a vet tech which is an associates.  You could make sure you have the classroom work done while finishing your degree.  You could then transfer those classes and go right into the clinical part of training.

I made the mistake many many years ago of dropping out of college because I didn't know what I wanted to do with my  life.  If I knew then what I know now I would've just picked something and finished that degree.  I probably would've gotten a history degree, can't do much with that besides teach, but I know now that a degree from an accredited university in anything can help with both getting a job and advancing in that job.

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I'm actually finished my BA and did some certification to teach ESL. It feels like such a waste to spend 5 years on English, and then to decide to go a completely different route but yes, I agree, any degree from an accredited university is sometimes better than no degree and I could definitely use my degree to teach to make money to pay for my vet schooling! And that's a good idea to look for classes that could transfer to vet tech at my current university. I looked at some colleges that offer the vet tech program and they're all far from where I live. The vet assistant programs are closer and some are part time I think I might see if my current university offers any options and then consider doing the vet assistant diploma first before taking the long 2-year journey to become a vet tech. 

I always say to myself that there's not ONE way to do things and if I or others miss an opportunity, I believe there's a way to find that opportunity again. Blame my vast optimism