How To Become a Veterinary Assistant in New Hampshire
If you love animals, a career as a veterinary assistant would be a rewarding option for you. Veterinary assistants offer invaluable help to veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Without the help of veterinary assistants, these professionals would not be able to offer the optimal pet care expected of them by pet owners.
New Hampshire Veterinary Assistant Programs
The state of New Hampshire does not have a required level of education that must be completed in order to work as a veterinary assistant. However, most veterinary practices and animal hospitals prefer to hire vet assistants who have a formal education in the field. Most vet assistants have at minimum a high school diploma or GED equivalency.
You can pursue your dream of working with animals in a number of New Hampshire training programs through technical schools, community colleges, educational institutes, online universities, and some high school training programs. You can expect to undergo lessons on relevant medical terminology, breed identification, methods of how administering medications, restraining techniques, and protocols on how to handle chemicals.
You can attend New Hampshire veterinary assistant training programs on campus and online at schools such as:
Penn Foster College – Veterinary Assistant Program
- NAVTA-Approved Veterinary Assistant Program
- Support from the award-winning Veterinary Academy Team
- Complete in as little as 7 months
- Call 1-800-851-1819 today.
American Veterinary Medical Association
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is the nation’s oldest and largest professional organization for veterinarians. On their website, you can find a wealth of information related to becoming a veterinary assistant, including certification requirements and career opportunities in the field.
Certification for Veterinary Assistants in New Hampshire
No specific veterinary assistant program is mandated to be completed for veterinary assistants in the state of New Hampshire. However, a number of advantages come with earning the title of Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA). This distinction is a nationally recognized certificate awarded to people who wish to distinguish themselves from other assistants by attaining a professional level of skill and knowledge offered during the certification process.
In order to stay current as an AVA, you must renew your certification within two years after your first time being approved. You will also be required to complete continuing education for the next two years.
Veterinary Assistant Employment in New Hampshire
The average annual salary for a veterinary assistant is $25,630 per year, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Approximately 79,990 people were employed under the title of veterinary assistant or laboratory animal caretaker as of May 2016. The annual salary amount in New Hampshire varies based on the type of vet practice as some veterinary assistants (such as those employed in urban areas like Manchester, Concord, and Derry) make as much as $30,000 annually.
Job growth for vet assistants is higher than the national average despite the fact that the number of veterinary assistants in New Hampshire is the second lowest among all states in the New England region. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are anticipated to be nearly 10 percent more veterinary assistants in the state of New Hampshire by 2024.