Two veterinary technology students examining a dog in student lab

Program Explorer

Veterinary Technology

Train to become an essential member of the veterinary care team.

Gain practical work experience with various animal species, including horses, cattle, swine, chickens, rabbits, cats and dogs.

RRC Polytech’s Veterinary Technology program is Canadian Veterinary Medical Association accredited and designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills you require to perform a variety of veterinary medical procedures.

In this program, you’ll learn about anesthetic induction and monitoring, drug dosage calculations, surgical and animal nursing, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging, dental prophylaxis, emergency care and routine veterinary clinic office procedures.

As part of your RRC Polytech education, you’ll participate in on- and off-campus labs to meet potential employers, expand your professional network and build practical work experience.

  • Program Type
    Full-time
  • Credential
    Diploma
  • Program Delivery
    In-person hybrid
  • In-person Location
    Notre Dame Campus
  • Intake
    Fall
  • Program Length
    2 years
  • Total Tuition / Fees for Courses
    $12,200 – $13,600
  • How to Enrol
    Application required
  • Application Type
    Direct entry
  • Work-Integrated Learning
    Gain hands-on experience with real work opportunities
  • Indigenous Pathway
    Program pathway available to Indigenous learners

Experience a Polytechnic Education

Full-time Delivery: Something New Every Term

In this program, you’ll develop the collaboration skills, theoretical knowledge, technical mastery and work experience you need to become a successful veterinary technologist.

TERM 1

Develop a foundational understanding of examination techniques, medical terminology and diagnostic assessment while building elementary nursing skills.

TERM 2

Practice intermediate nursing techniques and medical procedures while learning to safely work with canines and felines in a practicum experience.

TERM 3

Combine your theoretical knowledge with advanced practical skills in surgical nursing, anesthesia and diagnostic imaging.

TERM 4

Apply everything you’ve learned in a series of surgical rotations while building work experience and professional connections in preparation for a career.

Employment Potential

Prepare yourself for career success

Potential Grad CAREERS

  • Veterinary technologist
  • Veterinary practice manager
  • Animal protection officer
  • Laboratory animal technician
  • Pet insurance adjustor
  • Pharmaceutical sales
  • Nutrition consultant
  • Pet behaviour consultant
  • Animal physiotherapy
  • Wildlife rehabilitation
  • Laboratory sciences

AFFILIATIONS AND ACCREDITATIONS

What to Expect in This Program

Get Prepared for the Future of Work

Excel with practical learning and experienced instructors, all focused on your success. With an employer-driven education, you won’t just be ready for a career – you’ll be prepared to stay in front of what’s ahead.

Veterinary technologist examining three cows on a farm
Learn to treat livestock and large animals.
Student in a lab looking through a microscope
Master essential diagnostic tools like microscopes to analyze blood, urine and feces and identify various medical conditions.
Two veterinary technology students examining a dog in student lab
Learn to perform essential tasks, like ear checks, while building relationships with patients and pet owners.
Student looking at an X-ray of an animal on a computer screen
Build advanced technical skills and take advantage of state-of-the-art radiograph technology to help safely and effectively diagnose patients.
Veterinary technologist examining a sore above a cat's eye
Treat every furry friend like you would your own. Work with a diverse range of species and learn to keep patients calm, safe and comfortable.
Veterinary technologist cleaning the teeth of a dog in a vet's office
Keep those canines clean – healthy mouths are important for pets too! Learn to deliver excellent dental care.
Veterinary technologist drawing blood from a dog's leg in a vet's office
Learn to confidently secure patients, retrieve samples and administer medication alongside expert instructors and passionate peers.
Veterinary technologist bandaging a horses leg on a farm
Even gentle giants need a helping hand. Thankfully, veterinary technologists are skilled in nursing and bandage application, no matter the patient.
Veterinary technologist holding a rabbit in a vet's office
It doesn’t matter if your patients hop, slither, flutter or crawl; you’ll have the exotic pet experience you need to help.
Two veterinary technologist performing surgery on an animal
Build practical experience and prepare for any kind of day, whether you’re managing patients, administering anesthesia or assisting in surgery.

Graduate Success

RRC Polytech has been preparing generations of technologists with the professional collaboration skills and career-ready experience they need to support animal health. Through this program, you’ll join a network of successful grads making a difference in veterinary medicine across Canada.

The statistics below represent the opinions and employment statuses of this program’s recent grads. They were retrieved from the 2019-2020 RRC Polytech Graduate Satisfaction and Employment Report.

Crowd shot of many students wearing graduation caps and gowns at convocation

100% – NEW GRADS HIRED

After their first clinical practicum, Veterinary Technology students routinely take advantage of their industry-standard training and practical experience to find part-time jobs in the industry. Often these job opportunities lead to full-time positions at a veterinary practice after graduation.

100% – SATISFIED WITH RRC POLYTECH EDUCATION

Our grads hit the ground running. With RRC Polytech’s applied-learning experiences, small class sizes and state-of-the-art facilities, you’ll get the training you need to lead, succeed and grow from the moment you enter the industry.

Two veterinary technology students examining a dog in student lab
Instructor showing off bones and teaching anatomy to two students

100% – CONSIDER INSTRUCTORS KNOWLEDGEABLE

RRC Polytech’s Veterinary Technology instructors are passionate experts with years of real industry experience. By combining their insight with feedback from employers and industry leaders, they ensure your education is engaging, up-to-date and aligned with industry standards and needs.

“RRC Polytech provided me with the education I needed to have a very fulfilling career within the veterinary industry, which had always been my dream.”

Suzane Chandler – Self-employed

“Every single instructor in my program made an impact on my future career as a veterinary technologist. I will forever be thankful for all of my instructors in the Veterinary Technology program.”

Selena Johannson – Registered Veterinary Technologist

Who Should Enrol?

Turn your talents into academic success

As a Veterinary Technology student, you are a compassionate individual dedicated to improving animal welfare. You enjoy working with others, meeting new people and getting to know their animal companions. You are also passionate about medicine and enjoy facing new and exciting challenges in an ever-evolving profession.

Students that excel in this program often share these interests, skills and personality traits.

PERSONALITY TRAITS

  • Adaptable
  • Detail-oriented
  • Empathetic
  • Patient
  • Team-oriented

SKILLS

  • Communication
  • Integrity
  • Mathematics
  • Positive attitude
  • Time management

INTERESTS

  • Animals
  • Veterinary medicine
  • Technology
  • Lifelong learning
  • Animal welfare
  • Animal health
  • Science

All the Information You Need

MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION

Woman sitting in computer lab

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Ensure signup goes smoothly and understand program requirements before registering. Review required documents and procedures to make sure you’re prepared to enter this program.

Exterior of RRC Polytech building

LOCATION, DATES AND FEES

Start planning with peace of mind and get the information you need on one easy-to-find page. Review start dates, locations, book and equipment costs and program fees.

Woman standing on stairs holding certificate

SCHOLARSHIPS

Celebrate and motivate your learning. Whether you’ve sprinted through the first term or just received your acceptance letter, find a variety of bursaries, scholarships and awards.

Person browsing the RRC Polytech website

OTHER INFORMATION

Explore our Catalogue for more detailed information, including a program outline, course descriptions and everything you’ll need to plan and prepare for your future success.

Exterior of RRC Polytech building

DATES AND FEES

Start preparing with peace of mind. View information about courses and sections, including locations, delivery methods and costs. It only takes minutes to register and further your future.

Students outside in a courtyard

LIST OF COURSES

Plan out your preferred learning journey. Review a summary of this program’s courses to discover what you’ll learn and how an RRC Polytech education will help your career.

Woman sitting in computer lab

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Ensure signup goes smoothly and understand program requirements before registering. Review required documents and procedures to make sure you’re prepared to enter this program.

Person browsing the RRC Polytech website

OTHER INFORMATION

Explore our Catalogue for more detailed information, including a program outline, course descriptions and everything you’ll need to plan and prepare for your future success.

Begin Your Journey

Get Started with RRC Polytech

Start Your Application

Your future is within reach, and we’re here to help you achieve it. Experience industry-focused opportunities available at RRC Polytech and develop the knowledge and skills to grow, lead and excel in your future career.

Funding Your Education

Support yourself while pursuing your RRC Polytech education. You may be eligible for loans, grants and scholarships to help tackle your financial needs.

Future Student Events

Explore our upcoming information sessions and events to learn more about our programs and to get your questions answered.

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.

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