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Program description - May 2027
Start your animal care career with Conestoga's Veterinary Assistant program.
Do you love animals and want to turn that passion into a career? Conestoga's Veterinary Assistant one-year Ontario College Certificate program is the perfect starting point for high school graduates who want to work in animal care. Whether you've grown up with pets or volunteered at shelters, this program will help you build the skills needed to support veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians in clinics, shelters and animal hospitals.
You'll learn how to safely handle and care for animals, assist with surgical procedures, perform basic lab work and support daily operations in a veterinary setting. With a focus on humane, simulation-based training, you’ll develop your skills in a safe, ethical environment before applying them during a hands-on work placement in your second term.
What you'll learn
- Safe handling and restraint techniques for small and large animals
- Animal grooming, shelter care and basic diagnostic procedures
- Surgical support and lab skills using simulation and advanced models
- Client communication and veterinary office administration
- Real-world experience through a work placement in an animal care facility
Program details
Estimated tuition & fees
Tuition and fee details for programs starting September 2026 and later will be available Spring 2026. Listed below are the tuition and fee details for the 2025-2026 academic year (September 2025 to August 2026) for your selected intake. Books and supplies may be additional.
1 Term
Canadian
International
Canadian fee details
| Description | Spring 2026 |
|---|---|
| Program Tuition Fee (ACR) | $1844.50 |
| Administration Fee | $25.00 |
| Capital Development Fee | $84.22 |
| CSI Advocacy Fee | $8.16 |
| CSI Association Fee | $104.04 |
| CSI Extended Health & Dental Plan Fee | $116.82 |
| CSI Legal Care Fee | $20.10 |
| CSI UPass Fee | $124.91 |
| *eText Fee | $551.00 |
| Graduation/Alumni Services Fee | $20.00 |
| HST | $44.46 |
| ONE Card Fee | $8.50 |
| Recreation/Athletics Fee | $71.50 |
| Student Services | $89.00 |
| *Supply Fee (Taxed) | $342.00 |
| Technology Enhancement Fee | $110.00 |
| Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Documentation Fee | $115.00 |
| CSI - Student Welcome Kit Fee (optional) | $75.00 |
| CSI Student Club & Society Fee (optional) | $10.00 |
| CSI Student Events Fee (optional) | $35.00 |
| Sustainability Fee (optional) | $5.00 |
| Term Total | $3804.21 |
*The fee listed is for the current academic term and is subject to change. Confirmed costs will appear on your registration invoice. For the most up-to-date eText and course materials pricing, please refer to your personalized booklist.
Returning student tuition & fees
View all Canadian tuition & fee details for all levels
View all International tuition & fee details for all levels
International fee details
| Description | Spring 2026 |
|---|---|
| International Program Tuition | $7513.00 |
| Administration Fee | $25.00 |
| Capital Development Fee | $84.22 |
| CSI Advocacy Fee | $8.16 |
| CSI Association Fee | $104.04 |
| CSI College Int'l Health Insurance Plan (CIHIP) | $196.35 |
| CSI Extended Health & Dental Plan Fee | $101.64 |
| CSI Legal Care Fee | $20.10 |
| CSI UPass Fee | $124.91 |
| *eText Fee | $551.00 |
| Graduation/Alumni Services Fee | $20.00 |
| HST | $44.46 |
| ISR (International Student Recovery) | $375.00 |
| ONE Card Fee | $8.50 |
| Recreation/Athletics Fee | $71.50 |
| Student Services | $89.00 |
| *Supply Fee (Taxed) | $342.00 |
| Technology Enhancement Fee | $110.00 |
| Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Documentation Fee | $115.00 |
| CSI - Student Welcome Kit Fee (optional) | $75.00 |
| CSI Student Club & Society Fee (optional) | $10.00 |
| CSI Student Events Fee (optional) | $35.00 |
| Sustainability Fee (optional) | $5.00 |
| Term Total | $10028.88 |
*The fee listed is for the current academic term and is subject to change. Confirmed costs will appear on your registration invoice. For the most up-to-date eText and course materials pricing, please refer to your personalized booklist.
Returning student tuition & fees
View all Canadian tuition & fee details for all levels
View all International tuition & fee details for all levels
Program device & software requirements
This program requires you to have a device that meets certain specifications. For most students, this cost is in addition to the tuition & fees listed above.
view device requirementsFinancial assistance
Awards & scholarships
Student Financial Services awarded more than 400 awards, scholarships and bursaries last year.
Delivery sequence - May 2027 - Kitchener – Doon
| FALL | WINTER | SPRING |
|---|---|---|
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