How To Become a Veterinary Assistant in Michigan

By Courtney Cosby

Whether you dream of working at a shelter, a small animal healthcare clinic, or a larger animal hospital, the role of a veterinary assistant is an important aspect of any veterinary practice. Michigan veterinary assistants support veterinarians and veterinary technicians in this rewarding career by helping to provide basic care for pets, along with evaluating and treating animals for sickness and injuries.

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Michigan is an excellent place to work as a veterinary assistant as the field is booming. There are currently 3,310 veterinary assistants employed throughout the state, and that number is expected to continue rising, with an expected 15- percent increase by 2024.

Depending on the type of practice and services offered, the regular tasks of veterinary assistants may vary. In a typical work environment, such as an animal hospital or veterinary clinic, vet assistants may perform duties such as feeding and exercising animals, cleaning cages, bathing animals, disinfecting exam rooms, administering vaccinations or medications, assisting with restraint during procedures, maintaining patient records and communicating with pet owners about their pets’ health.

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Michigan Veterinary Assistants Education and Certification Options

No specific educational requirements have been set to work as a veterinary assistant in Michigan. Despite this, many veterinary practices prefer to hire assistants who hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalency. Although not required, you can increase your chances of being hired in a vet assistant position by pursuing further training and/or certification.

Michigan is a great place to become a veterinary assistant, as there are several training programs available throughout the state. For example, Ross Medical Education Center offers a veterinary assistant training program in a number of locations, including Midland, New Baltimore, Roosevelt Park, Port Huron, Taylor, Flint, Davison, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Madison Heights, and Canton. Ross Medical Education Center is an accredited school that offers training that can be completed in 36 weeks. You can expect to receive instruction that will equip you to work in the veterinary field, with coursework that covers veterinary ethics and law, animal care activities, animal anatomy and physiology, medical technology and an overview of equipment you may be required to use in your role as a vet assistant.

Some veterinary assistants move on to pursue certification to add to their repertoire. Many healthcare facilities bump candidates who hold certifications to the top of their list when looking for employees. You can obtain certification as an Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) through a program offered by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) and VetMed. To obtain a nationally-recognized AVA distinction, you may choose from one of three NAVTA-approved options available in Michigan:

  • The externship option is ideal for those who do not currently have any experience working as a veterinary assistant but are looking for employment. This option offers hands-on learning in an animal healthcare facility, which most veterinary practices require.
  • The Experiential Learner option is available for Michigan veterinary assistants who currently work as Michigan veterinary assistants and have worked for five of the last eight years, for a minimum of 20 hours per week, in a full-service veterinary practice.
  • The Veterinary Assistant Program is suitable for those who have worked work as a veterinary assistant in a full-service veterinary facility for less than five years.

After choosing which option is suitable for you, you must take the AVA exam. Upon successful completion, you will be entitled to use the AVA designation and will receive a documentation certificate.

Working as a Michigan Veterinary Assistant

The average salary for Michigan Veterinary assistants is $29,720 per year, with an average hourly wage of $14.29. Vet assistants earn more in some areas, including the northeast lower peninsula of Michigan, with an annual mean wage of $28,290, as well as the Lansing area, where assistants earn an average of $29,790 each year.

Veterinary Assistant Salaries in Michigan by Region

AreaTotal EmployedAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Ann Arbor, MI190$15.37$31,980
Battle Creek, MI50$11.63$24,180
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI1,000$12.13$25,230
Flint, MI100$11.93$24,810
Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI160$12.04$25,050
Jackson, MI50$12.86$26,740
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI150$11.36$23,620
Lansing-East Lansing, MI190$12.20$25,370
Saginaw, MI**$11.38$23,670
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI120$12.11$25,180

When you are ready to begin your position in the rewarding field of veterinary care, the best place to start looking is the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA), which provides job listings for veterinary assistants in Michigan.

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Get information on Veterinary Assistant programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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College and University Listings

Detroit-Livonia-Dearborn, MI Metropolitan Division Area

Ross Medical Education Center-Canton

44958 Ford Rd, Canton, Michigan 48187

Veterinary Assistant – Certificate Program

The Certificate program at Ross Medical Education Center can be taken at their Canton campus in Canton in Wayne County. The majority of the school’s 135 students are on diploma programs of under two years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. The cost of tuition for the Vet Tech program is in the order of $14,200 per year. Program completion is usually 9 months.

Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Area

Ross Medical Education Center-Portage

6235 S Westnedge, Portage, Michigan 49002

Veterinary Assistant – Certificate Program

The Veterinary Assistant Certificate program at Ross Medical Education Center can be taken at their Portage campus in the city of Portage. The college has in the order of 165 students in total, with the majority of students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. The retention rate of full-time students at this college is over 80%. The cost of tuition for the Vet Tech program is in the order of $14,200 per year. Program completion is usually 9 months.

Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, MI Metropolitan Division Area

Ross Medical Education Center-Madison Heights

29429 John R Road, Madison Heights, Michigan 48071

Veterinary Assistant – Certificate Program

The Certificate program at Ross Medical Education Center can be taken at their Madison Heights campus in Madison Heights in Oakland County. The majority of the school’s 216 students are in diploma programs of under two years. The cost of tuition for the Vet Tech program is around $14,200 for each academic year. Program completion is normally 9 months.

Ross Medical Education Center-New Baltimore

51133 Birch Street, Ste 100, New Baltimore, Michigan 48047

Veterinary Assistant – Certificate Program

Ross Medical Education Center’s Certificate program is taught at their New Baltimore campus in New Baltimore in Macomb County. The majority of of the school’s 158 students are in diploma programs of under two years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. The college’s retention rate for full-time students is 86%. The cost of tuition for the Vet Tech program is around $14,600 for each academic year. Program completion is normally 9 months.

* Tuition fees and accreditation status are correct at the time of writing, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/). Confirm with the college before applying.

Other Options

See also the neighboring states of IndianaOhio, and Wisconsin. You can find vet technician programs in Michigan here.