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.
Unique and specialized training
You'll study in the only on campus program of its kind in Greater Vancouver at Douglas College's Coquitlam Campus, learning real-world skills with practicing veterinarians and technicians. This two-year diploma program provides both theoretical and practical training in medical and surgical nursing, anesthesia, radiography, dentistry and laboratory procedures. You'll have practice experience on small and large animals either on campus or at off-site facilities.
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.
What will I learn?
Developed under the guidelines of the CVMA and CVBC in consultation with experienced practitioners, Veterinary Technology is an intensive full-time program.
Many courses will include both classroom and lab components. You'll study practical skills needed on the job ranging from administrative procedures, workplace communications, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, nutrition, behaviour and welfare, to anesthesia, radiography and dentistry. Later, you can practice your new skills in placements in a variety of veterinary facilities, clinics, stables, farms, and animal care centres.
Student Success Story
VTEC students get hands on with critters big and small.
Application information
All required courses and admission documents must be completed and submitted by the application deadline.
These admission documents must be completed and submitted to the Registrar's Veterinary Technology Admissions Officer (after program application and student number obtained). Download documents here:
Work Experience Log & Task Observation Form 2023 (fillable PDF)
Work Experience Log & Task Observation Form 2023 (printer version)
Work Experience Log Additional Pages 2023
Structured Reference Letter 2023
Program Entrance Questionnaire 2023
Realize your dream!
For Fall 2024, the application deadline is January 15, 2024.
ADVICE TO APPLICANTS
Attend an Information Session, receive a tour of the VTEC Teaching Clinic, and have all your questions answered!
Make sure this is the right field for you! Obtain veterinary experience in a small or large animal veterinary clinic/facility, with as many species as possible. Have each TASK OBSERVATION FORM signed by a qualified supervisor (DVM, RVT preferred) to keep track of the tasks and minimum 80 hours of experience.
Visit both Veterinary Technology webpages, follow each link, view the VTEC Information Booklet (see box to right).
For more information on Veterinary Technology, please email vtec@douglascollege.ca.