Veterinary Technician (VTE)

Starts in September

PGWP-eligible Program

Campus

King

Delivery

Hybrid

Duration

4 Semesters (2 Years)

Study Option

Full-time

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

School

School of Health Sciences

Courses

Delivery: At Seneca, courses are delivered in the following formats: online, in-person, hybrid (an online, in-person combination) or flexible (offered in-person and online at the same time).

The chart below outlines the delivery options available for each course in this program. For some academic terms, there may be more than one delivery option available. You’ll be able to select your preferred options when building your course schedule during open enrolment.

Preferences for course delivery will be considered on a first come, first served basis.

Semester 1

Course Code	Course Name	Winter	Summer	Fall
APY112	Veterinary Comparative Anatomy and Physiology	Not offered	Not offered	Hybrid
	This course will serve as an introduction to both animal anatomy and physiology. A comprehensive review of the major body organs and systems will be accomplished. Emphasis will be placed on companion as well as domestic animals. Medical terminology, dissecting techniques and common surgical procedures will be stressed. The importance of anatomy and physiology in understanding animal behavior, animal disease, pharmacology, radiology and clinical pathology should be appreciated.
BOA112	Behaviour of Animals	Not offered	Not offered	Online
	An understanding of animal behaviour is necessary to work efficiently with animals and their owners. The safety of the handler and the animal requires the interpretation of animal communication during restraint needed in veterinary practice. Effective training and the correct selection of a suitable pet are based on a thorough understanding of species-specific behaviours. Animal Behaviour is an ever-expanding focus of veterinary medicine, and it is imperative that a qualified animal health professionals have a complete understanding of this discipline.
CCA112	Clinical Care of Animals I	Not offered	Not offered	In-person
	The CCA component has been designed to expose you to various responsibilities that you will encounter in future employment as a Veterinary Technician. The animals at the Animal Health Center (AHC) are an integral component within the Veterinary Technician program. Without them, we could not provide you with hands-on instruction in areas such as animal handling and restraint, nursing skills, surgery and anesthesia etc. Following a regime of care, monitoring and record keeping at the AHC will help to develop skills necessary for the complete and efficient processing of patients within the veterinary field. For this reason, the faculty and staff place the utmost importance on the diligent carrying out of your responsibilities towards animal care and general conscientious and humane treatment of all animals at the AHC.
CLP122	Clinical Lab Procedures and Mathematics	Not offered	Not offered	In-person
	It is essential that veterinary technicians are proficient in both clinical laboratory skills and applied mathematical concepts. This course introduces students to the equipment, instruments, and techniques commonly used in veterinary laboratories, along with the isolation and identification of microorganisms of clinical significance to veterinary practice. Students will also explore and practice veterinary mathematical concepts, learning how to apply them reliably and accurately in a clinical setting. Together, these skills provide a strong foundation for the use of instrumentation in microbiology and support the framework for subsequent study of animal diseases.
COM101 or COM111	Communicating Across Contexts or Communicating Across Contexts (Enriched)	Hybrid Online In-person	Hybrid Online In-person	Hybrid Online In-person
	COM101: This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centred on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferrable reading and writing skills essential for success in their post-secondary studies, workplaces, and communities. COM111: This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centred on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferrable reading and writing skills essential for success in their post-secondary studies, workplaces, and communities. COM111 is six hours per week in order to offer students extra language and reading support.
MED101	Medical Clinics I	Not offered	Not offered	In-person
	Correct and humane animal handling is a necessary skill for a competent VT to learn and develop. A basic understanding of animal husbandry and behaviour provides the tools required to achieve this skill. Regular handling practice will be obtained in the MED 101 lab sessions and your care of the animals in the AHC will add to this practice. Veterinary Technicians are dealing with animals that may be in a fearful, stressful or sometimes-painful state; effective caring and handling will significantly contribute to minimise the adverse effects these stimuli may have on the animal. The lecture component will cover the common breeds for the dog cat horse cow sheep pig and goats. The principles of these animals? behaviour and husbandry will also be discussed.
PRO150	Professional Practice and Etymology	Not offered	Not offered	Hybrid
	This course introduces students to the professional, academic, and technical foundations needed for success in veterinary technology. Emphasis is placed on developing the skills, habits, and professional awareness required for both college learning and future clinical practice. Students will also build a foundation in veterinary medical terminology, with emphasis on anatomy, physiology, diagnostics, and treatments in companion and farm animals. By combining professional practice skills with medical terminology, students will be prepared for academic success and effective participation in veterinary clinical settings.
plus: General Education Course (1)

Semester 2

Course Code	Course Name	Winter	Summer	Fall
BUG200	Parasitology	In-person	Not offered	Not offered
	One of the primary functions of a technician in the animal health field is to efficiently and accurately identify, both internal and external parasites that affect our patients. It is equally im0ortant to understand collection of samples, performing appropriate testing, logging and reporting results, and also to understand the limitation of the tests performed. Finally you will learn to educate clients on results, deworming programs, and how to communicate correct information on the topic of zoonosis.
CCA212	Clinical Care of Animals II	Hybrid	Not offered	Not offered
	The CCA component has been designed to expose you to various responsibilities that you will encounter in future employment as a Veterinary Technician. The animals at the Animal Health Center (AHC) are an integral component within the Veterinary Technician program. Without them, we could not provide you with hands-on instruction in areas such as animal handling and restraint, nursing skills, surgery and anesthesia etc. Following a regime of care, monitoring and record keeping at the AHC and integrating that with the clinical status of the animal, will help to develop skills necessary for the complete and efficient processing of patients within the veterinary field. For this reason, the faculty and staff place the utmost importance on the diligent carrying out of your responsibilities towards animal care and general conscientious and humane treatment of all animals at the AHC. As a second semester student, the expectation is that you demonstrate an advanced level of animal care.
CLP222	Intermediate Clinical Lab Procedures	In-person	Not offered	Not offered
	Clinical Pathology is important in veterinary medicine, and expertise is relied on to produce accurate results quickly and efficiently. Blood and urine evaluation is fundamental in determining patient health assessments and diagnostics. Consistent, high-quality results are essential for providing the best patient care. The elevated level of competence required by the RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician) provides accurate results which often greatly affects the diagnosis and treatments prescribed by the veterinarian. This course will continue the study of all aspects of veterinary clinical pathology with special emphasis on abnormal hematology, urinalysis, and clinical chemistry and abnormal results in these areas.
MED200	Medical Clinics II	Hybrid	Not offered	Not offered
	This second Medical Clinics course is a continuation of MED 101, and as such consists of a practical and theoretical component. The lab practical portion is designed to give you the basics in small and large animal procedures so that you will feel comfortable assisting with and performing basic therapeutic procedures and injections. The lecture portion continues with Animal Husbandry from MED101 and introduces the diseases and preventative programs for their control. Opportunities for guided practice will be provided for both small and large animals, but proficiency of the skills will not likely be achieved until third and fourth semester where you will have further opportunities to practice and be evaluated on them at that time. This segment also emphasizes animal care and responsibilities. The theory will stress fundamental nursing, preventative medicine and quarantine procedures for the common small and large animal diseases. Emphasis will be placed on animal care and human safety. A letter grade of C is required for successful completion of this course.
PMY222	Pharmacology and Calculations	Hybrid	Not offered	Not offered
	PMY222 provides a comprehensive foundation in the basic principles of pharmacology with an emphasis on drugs commonly used in the animal health industry. The course covers major drug classes, their mechanisms of action, methods of administration, therapeutic uses, side effects, and contraindications. Students will also examine the laws, regulations, and ethical responsibilities associated with dispensing and handling pharmaceuticals in veterinary practice. This course prepares students for work in veterinary clinics and animal health–related professions where pharmaceutical agents are routinely prescribed to animals. The calculations component focuses on the practical mathematical skills required in veterinary settings, including drug dosage calculations, fluid therapy calculations, solutions, dilutions, and the application of commonly used clinical formulas.
RAD212	Introductory Radiography	In-person	Not offered	Not offered
	This first radiography course is designed so that you fully understand the hazards of radiation, the operation of the x-ray machine, the various accessories, film processing methods, and the positioning of small animals utilising non-manual restraint. Radiographs for diagnostic purposes of superior quality, will thus be obtained with minimum risk to you.Of the healing arts that use x-rays for diagnostic and treatment purposes, veterinary science is unique, owing to the more frequent need for the patient to be restrained and for personnel to be close to the patient. RADIATION SAFETY is thus of paramount importance in the practice of veterinary radiography.You will be operating the x-ray machine with emphasis on safe methods and techniques to produce high quality radiographic images.
plus: General Education Course (1)

Semester 3

Course Code	Course Name	Winter	Summer	Fall
CCA312	Clinical Care of Animals III	Not offered	Not offered	In-person
	This course is a follow on from CCA 212 and is designed to focus on the animal care and welfare of the clinic patient and the critical thinking processes involved in the day-to-day care and management of the patient in the clinic environment. It will involve the application and interpretation of information taught in the previous and current courses, one of the important roles is rounds. This is where the day to day health of the animals is discussed and updated. The integration of various tests and procedures will be discussed with respect to their influence on the diagnosis and treatment of the patient. During the lab time there will be opportunity to perform the bloodwork, urinalysis and fecal examinations of the in clinic patients. Once again the staff and faculty of the course place the utmost importance on the ethical and conscientious behavior of all students to the animals in their care.
EXL322	Exotic, Lab and Non-Domestic Animal Studies	Not offered	Not offered	In-person
	This course integrates the principles of ethics, legislation, and clinical care for a diverse range of species, including laboratory animals, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Students will examine provincial and federal regulations governing the care and use of animals in biomedical research, zoological settings, wildlife contexts, and companion animal practice, with an emphasis on how standards and expectations differ across these environments. Through a combination of theoretical and applied learning, students will develop practical skills in species-appropriate handling, sex determination, therapeutic approaches, injection techniques, and blood collection. The course also explores comparative anatomy and physiology, including species-specific variations in hematologic values and considerations for the safe administration of anesthesia. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to apply ethical frameworks, regulatory requirements, and clinical best practices to support the health and welfare of a wide variety of non-traditional and laboratory animal species.
LAS312	Large and Small Mammal Studies	Not offered	Not offered	In-person
	The species covered in LAS 312 will be encountered in a clinical setting as ?pocket pets? and in the laboratory setting as laboratory animals. While the approach to their care differs somewhat with each of these settings, an understanding of their husbandry, reproduction, and diseases is essential for both. LAS 312 will provide you with the information and practical experience needed to work with these animals, and will provide ample opportunity to perfect practical skills including handling, administration of medication in oral and injectable form, venipuncture and anesthesia. In addition, LAS will cover a variety of technical skills required for working as a veterinary technician with large animals, using on site live animals as demonstrations.
MED322	Medical Clinics III: Dentistry	Not offered	Not offered	In-person
	This course introduces students to the principles and practices of veterinary dentistry in companion animals. Instruction includes both theoretical lectures and laboratory components, with an emphasis on hands-on skill development. Topics include normal oral anatomy and physiology, common dental diseases, and routine veterinary dental procedures. Students will develop practical competencies in performing oral examinations on canine and feline patients, completing dental charts, and using dental instruments to clean and polish teeth. Proper maintenance of dental equipment and client education regarding effective at-home dental care will also be addressed. A satisfactory evaluation indicates a student who demonstrates professionalism, reliability, and sound judgment, and can be entrusted with the care of animals, equipment, facilities, and client interactions in both routine and emergency situations.
RAD312	Advanced Radiography	Not offered	Not offered	In-person
	This course is designed as a continuation of RAD 212 with continual emphasis on the positioning of small and large animals utilizing non-manual restraint whenever possible. Radiographs of superior quality for diagnostic purposes will be obtained with minimum risk to you. This course will give you the opportunity to study dental radiographs, hip studies, contrast studies, large and exotic animals, and ultrasound, if time permits .
SGT312	Veterinary Anaesthesia and Surgical Techniques	Not offered	Not offered	Hybrid
	This course will introduce the Veterinary Technician student to the principles of veterinary anaesthesia and study in some depth drugs and anaesthetic equipment used to induce and maintain anaesthesia in large and small animals, birds and some other species seen in veterinary practice. The student will become very proficient at monitoring anaesthetized animals and will learn to deal with common anaesthetic problems and emergencies, In addition, the student will learn all aspects of preparing surgical instruments and equipment, the surgical theatre, and the surgical patient for various types of surgeries routinely seen in general practice. Other topics, traditionally covered under the subject of anaesthesia, will also be discussed in this course, and/or in the lecture portion of SGT 412. Examples include the ECT, fluid therapy, emergency procedures, and others to be listed in the course outlines of the respective courses A third area of study in this course will include techniques of surgical assistance. The student will be exposed to the general protocols)s) used to assist in commonly performed surgeries in large but especially small animal practice, such as neutering, paparotomies, and orthopaedics. Basic suturing techniques will be introduced and, at all times, a high degree of aseptic technique will be taught and employed at the Animal Health Centre.
VPL300	Introduction to Clinical Field Placement	Not offered	Not offered	In-person
	This introductory course will prepare students for their clinical placement by introducing them to concepts of professionalism and job acquisition. Students will engage in classroom materials that further enhance their understanding of professionalism in the clinical environment, strategies for success in VPL400, and strategies to enhance their clinical placement experience. The students will be guided through the placement acquisition process and successfully acquire a clinical placement for Semester 4.
plus: General Education Course (1)

Semester 4

Course Code	Course Name	Winter	Summer	Fall
CCA412	Clinical Care of Animals IV	Hybrid	Not offered	Not offered
	CCA 412 is a continuation of CCA 312 and focuses on all aspects of animal care and welfare and the critical thinking processes required for the daily management of a clinical patient. It will expose you to various responsibilities that you will encounter in future employment as a Veterinary Technician, such as the application and interpretation of information taught in the previous and current semesters? courses. While CCA encompasses a host of clinical aspects and responsibilities, utmost importance is placed on the ethical and conscientious behavior of all students in regards to the animals in their care.
CLP400	Veterinary Clinical Laboratory Procedures IV	In-person	Not offered	Not offered
	This course is a continuation of CLP 312 and will serve to further the student?s knowledge of clinical pathology and related skills. Collection, preparation and evaluation of cytological samples, will be taught. In addition, students will become familiar with serology as well as screening tests for endocrine diseases. In conjunction with placement, the student will attain an appropriate skill level for working in clinical laboratory conditions.
GEB312	Genetics and Bioethics	Online	Not offered	Not offered
	This course will introduce the student to the subject of animal genetics and to the application ofthe principles of genetics to biomedical research and genetic engineering. The course will discuss animal abnormalities in animals The ethics of animal research and genetic engineering will also be evaluated.
MED400	Medical Clinics IV and Dentistry	In-person	Not offered	Not offered
	This course continues responsibility for important areas of VTE student instruction and evaluation. It is the final semester covering instruction in and the evaluation of animal nursing skills, incorporating skills previously instructed in the Medical clinics course MED101, 200, and 300. Theoretical lecture material will focus on several significant topics such as Bandaging and Wound Management, Emergency and Critical care, Medical Nursing and Nutrition. Labs will compliment the lecture material. A satisfactory evaluation indicates a mature, dependable student to whom the care of an animal, facilities, equipment, client, etc. may be delegated either routinely or in emergency situations.
NOA422	Nutrition of Animals	Online	Not offered	Not offered
	This course builds on foundational concepts in animal nutrition and expands their application across companion and large animals. Students review digestive anatomy and physiology in relation to nutrient utilization and overall health, and perform nutritional calculations to assess and develop appropriate feeding plans. Students examine the Canadian pet food industry and compare a range of diet types, including veterinary therapeutic, commercial, homemade, and raw diets, using evidence-based approaches. The role of nutrition in disease prevention and management is explored, including nutritional strategies for common conditions, critical care patients, and the use and care of feeding tubes. Emphasis is placed on practical application in clinical settings, including designing and implementing weight management programs and supporting client communication. Students also review species-specific feeding practices for equine and agriculture animals, including evaluation of forage and grain quality, to support effective and informed nutritional decision-making. By the end of the course, students will be able to apply nutritional principles, clinical reasoning, and client education strategies to support optimal health and disease management across a variety of animal species.
SGT412	Surgery II	In-person	Not offered	Not offered
	This course in many respects represents a practical review of many of your professional courses in the VTE program, particularly those of a clinical and laboratory nature, and of course, surgery & anaesthesia. You will use the skills and knowledge acquired during these courses to prepare for, and participate in surgical exercises which will take place each week. As well, additional topics on anaesthesia, surgery and emergency procedures will be taught in the lecture period and during the surgical exercises.
VPL400	Field Placement	Hybrid	Not offered	Not offered
	Field placement is a "laboratory" for students of the Veterinary Technician program to experience day to day activities where the student can apply what has been taught in all the courses during the last two years. Field placement will consist of one day a week for 12 weeks throughout the fourth semester and two weeks after the final semester. To make this learning experience as positive as possible for all concerned it is hoped that the student will become an integral part of the professional staff while on placement. It is also hoped that the student would be exposed to similar activities as would be expected of a graduate Veterinary Technician in that practicum, keeping in mind that the comfort level of each student is different with various skills and techniques and that all skills and techniques may not have been fully covered prior to the placement. This laboratory is an extension of the classroom whereby the student, supervisors and V.T.E. faculty all contribute to the overall students learning experience.

Program Learning Outcomes

Learn more about program learning outcomes for this program.

Archived Program & Course Information

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