Veterinary Technology
If you love animals and enjoy working with people, training in Douglas College's CVMA and CCAC Accredited Veterinary Technology program can open the door to a rewarding career as a veterinary technician/nurse.
As a veterinary technologist, you'll become a valued member of the veterinary medical profession, as part of a health care team. You'll develop knowledge and skills to benefit both small and large animals.
The program is ideal whether you are new to the field or someone with experience who wants to obtain credentials to improve your career options. Graduates are eligible to write the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and thus qualify for registration in Canada and in many parts of the United States.
How will I learn?
The Douglas College Veterinary Technology Diploma is available in two study options:
- The traditional full-time in-person option is completed in 2 years (4 semesters plus practicums)
- The part-time hybrid option is completed over 3 years (9 semesters). In this option the majority of courses in the fall and winter semesters will be online. You will spend 3 weeks on campus each year – all but one of these weeks will be in the summer (May-July).
Applications to the Fall 2025 part-time hybrid stream are currently closed.
Student success story
VTEC students get hands on with critters big and small.
Admission deadlines
Once you’re ready to apply, go to Education Planner BC and choose between the in-person cohort or the hybrid cohort. Once you’ve applied you’ll have to stick with the cohort you have chosen, so choose carefully.
The application deadline for the full-time study option is January 15 each year for students to start in September. There are 30 seats available for each of the two study options. Once the seats are filled, the remaining eligible applicants will be waitlisted. Students interested in a future intake must reapply. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered.
Application information
Competition for admission to the Veterinary Technology program is extremely high and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee a seat in the program. Successful students usually have more than the minimum required work experience hours and/or additional post secondary academic qualifications. Attendance at a VTEC program information session is strongly advised.
Please note that incomplete and late applications will not be considered*. The following documents must be completed and submitted to the Admissions Officer by the application deadline:
1. All required academic transcripts, as well as transcripts for any other post secondary education you may have.
2. Proof of work experience: please submit the Task Observation Form & log for your veterinary hospital work experience, as well as a log of all other animal related work experience
Work Experience Log & Task Observation Form 2023 (fillable PDF)
Work Experience Log & Task Observation Form 2023 (printer version)
Work Experience Log Additional Pages 2023
3. Program questionnaire
Program Entrance Questionnaire 2023
*Applicants are no longer required to provide reference letters as part of their applicant package.
Immunizations: VTEC students are required to have an up to date tetanus vaccination. In addition, all applicants to the full time VTEC stream are required to complete a series of 3 rabies vaccinations after they accept their seat offer in the program but prior to the first day of class. The rabies vaccine series takes 4 weeks to complete and students are responsible for booking their own vaccine appointments. BC residents registered as students in a Veterinary Technology program are eligible to receive rabies vaccination free of charge through their public health unit or participating pharmacy.
Many courses in the Veterinary Technology program involve mandatory off-site labs, practicums and field trips. Students are responsible for their own transport to all off-campus locations used for VTEC program activities.
Contact vtec@douglascollege.ca if you have any further questions.
Veterinary Anesthesia Refresher (Continuing Education)
Our patients like to keep us on our toes when it comes to anesthesia, therefore it's essential for Veterinary Technologists, Technicians and Veterinarians to have the skills needed to ensure that our patients wake up happy and healthy! Anesthesia is one of the most challenging skills in our industry - it requires exceptionally high standards of care from theoretical knowledge to practical skills, equipment maintenance and trouble shooting and problem solving and treatment of complications during anesthesia.
Our clients and patients expect the best: the purpose of this Anesthesia Refresher certificate is to ensure you have the knowledge and skills necessary to optimize the health care of dogs and cats under anesthesia.
This is a joint program between the Faculty of Health Sciences and Science & Technology. Click here for more information: