experience do you need? Or, do you think most vets would be willing to hire the right candidate all-around and train you "on the spot"?
2007-01-29 21:25:07 · 8 answers · asked by Adios 7 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Usually the vet assistant has to have some schooling/training. I used to work in an animal hospital. (taking care of the animals that came in, feeding and cleaning them, taking the dogs outside, and cleaning the entire clinic..I also did filing, gave baths, and helped the assistants when they needed it) But the assistants had to give shots, medication, do x-rays, etc etc. Call them, let them know you're interested, and ask what theyre looking for. If you dont have the qualifications they need, but you really want to work in a vets clinic, ask if theyre hiring anyone to feed and take care of the pets (I was called a kennel worker..Im not sure if that term is used everywhere but you could use it and see?)
You should go in and ask for an application anyway. The most they can do is turn you down, and atleast you tried right? Tell them you love animals and are ready and willing to learn anything they want to teach you. It'd also help if you told them youre willing to help clean, (animals, the clinic, anything that needs cleaning) feed, and care for the animals, anything they need done.
If you cant get hired in right away as an assistant, maybe you can start at the bottom and work your way up? You cant help but learn when youre working around that stuff all the time. after I was there for a while I was often asked to help assistants with their jobs.
If you really want to work with animals, its worth a shot. Good luck!
2007-01-29 21:50:05 · answer #1 · answered by Dani 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a retired veterinarian and you'll need a college degree for that job. It won't be as extensive as the 8 years of veterinarian school- but you will have to have the basic skills that a veterinarian has. The reason this is- most veterinarian assistants do the lab work, so they must be able to decode blood cells and be able to read signs of illness in an animal off the top of their head. This isn't common knowledge of a regular person and takes schooling to learn. the assistant also has to know how to sew up wounds and know all the surgical equipment- in a way the assistant is like the nurse to the surgeon.
If you really want to get involved with animals volunteer at your local animal shelter bathing, walking, and playing with the animals. You can do this without a degree
2007-01-30 15:58:35 · answer #2 · answered by silvaspurranch 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you just give the specific vet a call and see what happens? You don't need veterinary studies, I guess, but it is good to have an experience with animals and not to be afraid of them! My friend is a vet assistant but before that she was the vet's best client, because she had many animals that she treated occasionally. She is a painter, as far as her studies, but she can give shots to cats and dogs, and do all sorts of stuff.
2007-01-30 06:03:07 · answer #3 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you should call the vet's office and find out what they're looking for, or simply go in and apply. If you're what they want, then you could get the job; if you're not what they want, then at least you will learn a little more about it, and you won't be any worse off than you are right now :-)
Good luck!!
2007-01-30 05:34:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the vet i work for trained me,it's a wonderful job for animal lovers but can be dangerous too, also you have to get dirty at times,peed and pooped on, bitten scratched,things do go wrong! and most of all when the animals die it it very heart breaking and i cry, but this is the best job I've ever had,because i am a animal lover!
2007-01-30 10:33:44 · answer #5 · answered by kat_luvr2003 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on what they are hiring for... If your are caring for the animal you need to learn their anatomy just like a doctor. You need to go to school to practice medicine on animals as well. But if they want a receptionist, or dog walker, you can get in with little to no experience.
2007-01-30 05:33:40 · answer #6 · answered by Crystal D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some wil train on the spot. It's always best to have some sort of experinence though (being a pet owner at least). It can't hurt to try. Mind you that it is demanding and can be heartbreaking work.
2007-01-30 07:25:46 · answer #7 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not a pretty job. It does take a love and patience for pets and their wacky owners.
If you don't mind cleaning up poo etc.
Most vets will train.
2007-01-30 05:33:28 · answer #8 · answered by SisterHazel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋