Platt 1
Alea Platt
Mrs. Lingerfelt
British Literature
23 September 2014
Veterinary Assistant
Veterinary assistants are the people who feed, water and examine pets for signs of illness,
disease, or injury in labs, animal hospitals and clinics. They clean and disinfect cages and work
areas and sanitize the equipment they use on the animals. They monitor animals recovering from
surgery and notifies veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms. They hold and restrain
the animals during veterinary procedures. Veterinary assistants also provide emergency first aid
to sick or injured animals. They clean and maintain the kennels, animal holding areas,
examination and operating rooms, and animal loading facilities to control the spreading of
diseases. Another thing that veterinary assistants do is they administer anesthetics during surgery
and monitors the effect on animals.
In Georgia, the average annual wage for a veterinary assistant is $28,630. The average
hourly wage is $13.77. When you first begin in Georgia, the entry hourly wage is $8.87. In the
nation, the average annual wage is $31,470. And the average hourly wage in the nation is $15.13.
There are about 27 estimated annual job openings. Annual growth rate is estimated to be 5%. 739
people were employed in this occupation. Employment for veterinary technologists and
technicians is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. A growing pet
population will require more veterinary technologists and technicians.
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After High school, for this career, you will need to go in to college for programs that
include Veterinary/ Animal Health Technology/ Technician and Veterinary Assistant. There are
two levels of education and training to enter this occupation- a two year program for veterinary
technicians and a four year program for veterinary technicians. Most veterinary technicians have
a two year associates degree from a community college in veterinary technology. Technologists
and technicians usually begin working as trainees under direct supervision of a veterinarian. It is
better if you already have experience working with animals in some way, so that way not
everything will be so difficult for you to learn and you will already know some stuff about
animals. (gacollege411.org)
The work of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers may be demanding
physically and emotionally. Both veterinary assistants have a higher rate of injuries and illnesses
than the national average. Workers may witness abused animals and may have to end up
euthanizing sick, injured, or unwanted animals. Workers might also come into contact with very
aggressive animals, which means they might get kicked, scratched, or bitten. Workers may also
be injured while holding, bathing, or restraining an animal. Veterinary assistants would often be
carrying up to twenty pounds, and sometimes even fifty. You might need to do a lot of carrying,
pushing, or pulling. Working in this occupation involves the use of protective items such as
safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and even more. There is a possibility you will
be exposed to diseases and infections more than a month.
Veterinary assistants have to go through all of the training and deal will a lot of injuries if
they want to go further with their career as a veterinarian. Veterinarians deal with more intense
situations because they are the ones putting in shots and performing surgeries. But, veterinary
assistants usually want to become a veterinarian, so they will end up doing all of the same things
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a veterinarian does as well. Being a veterinarian would be a very stressful job, but it’s the job
I’ve always wanted to do and it involves helping animals and I’ve always loved animals. I am
going to be a veterinarian when I get older.