Veterinary Assistant

In this program, students will learn veterinary anatomy, physiology, and terminology; computer basics; office/hospital procedures; pharmacology and pharmacy procedures; and vaccinations. Students also are introduced to basic animal care and nursing and how to perform surgical preparations using aseptic techniques. Students will learn how to aid the Veterinarian and Veterinary Technician with the physical monitoring of patients during surgical procedures and their post-operative recovery. In addition, students will learn how to assist in laboratory procedures including the collecting, safe handling, and analysis of urine, blood, and fecal samples.

Animal care skills. Animal handling and restraint, basic animal care and nursing, feeding and vaccinations, surgical preparation, patient monitoring, radiographs and lab procedures. Clinical support skills. Veterinary terminology, pharmacology basics, pharmacy procedures, laboratory assisting, hospital workflows, veterinary team support.

Real animal care skills, taught by doing. Animal handling, restraint, feeding, basic nursing care, vaccinations, surgical preparation, radiographs, and patient monitoring.

Hands-on labs, flexible lectures. Fully equipped campus labs plus online lectures through Open LMS, with day and evening schedules Monday through Thursday.

240-hour externship with real animals. Your final two modules are a 240-hour externship at an affiliated veterinary site: real animals, real clients, real workflows.

Serving Southern California since 1988. Approved to operate by the state of California since 1988 and accredited by ACCSC.

The College seeks to admit students who possess the appropriate credentials and have demonstrated capacity or potential that indicates a reasonable probability of success in completing the educational programs offered by the College. Students must complete the entire admissions process on or before the first day of class. All prospective applicants must be personally interviewed by a school representative, tour the campus and receive a catalog describing the course offerings and the school policies.

The Veterinary Assistant program is delivered in a hybrid or blended model, so applicants must demonstrate commitment of availability during online delivery, possession of an electronic device capable of internet connectivity, access to Internet, and basic computer proficiency, measured in the Distance Education assessment.

Class schedules. All Programs (DAY): Classes are held Monday to Thursday from 8:00am to 1:00 pm. All Programs (EVG): Classes are held Monday to Thursday from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. CHAC offers year-round enrollment for all programs; the beginning of a module offers an opportunity to join the program.

Blended delivery. Lectures are delivered online, class assignments are completed using the student online platform, and laboratory work is performed on campus.

Externship. Externship is normally conducted in affiliated clinics/facilities generally during daytime working hours from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and scheduled for 35-40 hours per week (6-8 hours per day) for 240 hours.

Start dates. Upcoming 2026 start dates are November 3, 2026 and December 7, 2026 (Thanksgiving Recess 11/25/2026 to 11/29/2026; Winter Recess 12/18/2026 to 01/03/2027). New modules start about every 4 weeks, and you can enroll at the start of any module.

Breakdown of charges. The charges for a period of attendance and total charges for the entire program are the same:

• Tuition: $17,549
• Registration Fee (non-refundable): $100
• Books: $231
• Supplies Kit: $30
• Uniforms (non-refundable): $40
• STRF: $0.00
• Total: $17,950

The total cost does not include transportation costs to/from externship or clinical sites; this cost is the student's responsibility. All textbooks, hard copies or electronic, are included in the total charges and are distributed at the beginning of each program/course and/or level.

WIOA pricing. Discounted prices are available to qualifying students referred by local WIOA agencies (Veterinary Assistant: $10,519).

Other fees. Laptop Charge: a $400.00 charge will be charged to students who wish to add a laptop computer to their charges. Late Payment: a $20.00 fee may be charged for late payments 10 or more days delinquent on agreed-to tuition installments made directly with CHAC. Additional uniforms and textbooks are charged at the current rate.

Payment plans. Tuition is payable in advance and due at the time of enrollment, and students may enroll under one of CHAC's tuition payment plans. Several payment plan options exist, and staff of well-qualified financial aid officers will assist students in financial advising and applying for aid. Payments may be made with check, money order, or credit card.

Federal financial aid. California Healing Arts College participates in Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study, Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and Direct PLUS Loans. Those seeking federal financial assistance must first complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa (CHAC federal school code 036813). Students without a high school diploma or equivalent may not receive Title IV funds.

Veterans and agency benefits. CHAC programs are approved for the training of Veterans and eligible persons under the provisions of Title 38, United States Code; the GI Bill and Post 9/11 are a few of the VA programs available. Service members who intend to participate in the Military Tuition Assistance (TA) program must seek funding approval prior to the program's start date. Work Investment Act, State Rehabilitation, and Displaced Workers programs are available through various agencies.

Net Price Calculator. Estimate your net price at https://www.chac.edu/net-price-calculator/.

The program does not have any specialized online fees in addition to regular tuition.

Veterinary Assistants can be found working in a variety of places including veterinary hospitals/clinics, emergency, and specialty hospitals, animal shelters, zoo and wildlife centers, animal control departments, diagnostic laboratories, grooming and boarding facilities, pet-sitting agencies, pharmaceutical, and supply distribution facilities, and animal research agencies.

School Performance Fact Sheet (calendar years 2023 & 2024, published December 1, 2025). On-time completion rate: 77% in 2024 (127 of 166) and 71% in 2023 (94 of 133). Job placement rate employed in the field: 70% in 2024 (85 of 121) and 72% in 2023 (66 of 92). Licensure exam passage data: N/A (not an employment requirement for graduates of this program).

ACCSC Graduation and Employment Chart (2025 annual report, class starts 03/2023-02/2024). Graduation rate 77% (130 of 169); employment rate 70% (83 of 119 graduates available for employment).

Career services. Resume preparation and coaching, job-seeking skills training, interview coaching, and job leads after program completion. CHAC does not guarantee employment.