What Does a Vet Assistant Actually Do?

Artwork displaying a veterinarian in a white coat caring for a dog on an exam table, with a lineup of attentive dogs and cats on the floor and a bench.

Being a pet care assistant, also known as a vet assistant, is an ideal role for animal lovers. I mean, can you imagine how fun it can be to snuggle with puppies and kittens for a living? Well, we’ll cover more about that in this post as we discuss their responsibilities, annual salaries ,and qualifications that are associated with the role.

A huge chunk of their tasks involves playing with pets and trying to keep them sane for their grooming session, vaccination, and/or medical check-ups. The animals they work with usually depend on the employer but the most common ones are dogs, cats, and horses. You’ll normally spot these professionals in pet grooming salons, veterinary clinics, zoos, safaris, pet merchandise outlets, animal welfare centers, and farm parks.

While many pet care assistants work for about 40 hours per week, this role can also make a good weekend side hustle for students or for those who have a prior full-time role. You can apply as an assistant of a freelance dog trainer, or a side-kick of a renowned pet communicator.

Ready to learn more about this career? Stick with us as we’ve got everything covered for you.

Job Responsibilities of a Pet Care Assistant

Disclaimer: The tasks of a pet care assistant varies depending on his workplace and employer. But here are the general

  • Feeding the animals
  • Training the animals
  • Playing with the animals
  • Assists in moving the animals from one place to another
  • Assists in bathing or grooming the animals
  • Assists in training animals with tricks
  • Assists in animal check-ups
  • Helps check injuries or signs of illness on animals
  • Ensures that the animals’ accommodation or enclosures are clean and well-maintained
  • Keeps medical records of animals
  • Provides first aid to animals

Qualifications and/or Skills Required

Employers usually require a high school diploma and good health status to be hired for this role. But of course, doing some kind of pet/animal study, particularly in animal psychology, prior to putting yourself out there can be a serious advantage. Enrolling in Animal Behaviour Courses can be a great starting point if you have no previous knowledge or experience in this field, alongside a Certificate in Pet/Vet Care.

Depending on how far you want to go in the Pet Care Industry, you may even end up needing a university degree to obtain the role you want in the long term, but starting small and working your way up can be an excellent way to build your foundation.

Above all else, this career entails genuine love and care for animals. So if you have what it takes, then this role calls for you, stat.

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Pet/Vet Assistant Salary

According to PayScale Australia, the average annual salary of a pet care assistant in Australia is AU$90,000, with an average hourly rate of AU$17.5. However, the actual pay still varies depending on the work location, the experience of the employee, and the industry they’ll be working for.

How To Land This Role

To land the role of a pet/vet assistant, genuine care for animals is essential, complemented by an impressive resume which you can upgrade by studying and finishing an animal care course, including Vet Assistant Courses offered by Courses4Me. Having a certification can also make an impression on the hiring manager that you’re committed and interested in the role. At the same time, you can get the chance of having a higher wage as compared to those with zero experience in the field and no certification or training at all.

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Pet care assistants are passionate and soft-hearted people who value animals more than everyone else does. If relate with them, then equipping yourself with the knowledge that this role requires might be your next best move.

Boost your pet care skills with our Zoology Online Courses, perfect for aspiring vet assistants looking to deepen their understanding of animal biology and care.

On the other hand, if you’ve got questions in mind regarding the Certificate in Dog Training, the Certificate in Pet Care, and Veterinary Assistance, please feel free to reach out to us by clicking the orange button below and addressing your inquiries. 

For those interested in specialising further in the care and understanding of horses, pursuing an Equine Course through Woods & Co Education can enhance your skills and open new career paths in veterinary clinics, safaris, or equine centers. These online courses delve into horse care, training, and health, preparing you for a more specialised role within the animal care industry.

Just follow your passion whether it’s about pets or anything else. You deserve to be happy and successful.

Thanks for reading!

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