Veterinary Assistant

Veterinary Assistant Program

Program Director: Janet McConnell, CVT
Instructors: Victoria Vierschilling, CVT
Harriet Terodemos, CVT

This newly expanded Veterinary Assistant Program in collaboration with Red Bank Veterinary Hospital is approved through the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). Students who graduate are eligible to sit for the national exam to earn the designation of Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA).

Veterinary Assistants are an integral part of the veterinary healthcare team, working under the direct supervision of a veterinarian or veterinary technician. Through classroom and clinical instruction, students are trained to provide assistance in the following area of study:

Office procedures and client relations
Pharmacy
Preventative healthcare
Behavior and restraint
Veterinary medical terminology
Anatomy and physiology
Safety in the veterinary workplace
Animal nursing
Laboratory procedures
Surgical and recovery room assistance
Radiology
Emergency response

256 hours (93 classroom, 59 online, 104 clinical). Successful graduates are eligible to sit for the National Approved Veterinary Assistant Exam (exam fee is $100). Class is limited to 14 students per class.

Our instructors have created the enclosed video workshops which has detailed information regarding the Veterinary Assistant program. Please review the links below:

Click HERE for Video 1

Click HERE for Video 2

Students who achieve the AVA designation are eligible to articulate their education and receive:

2 college credits toward the Veterinary Technician Program (AVMA Accredited) at Bergen County College in Paramus, NJ

-or-

4 college credits toward the Veterinary Technician Program (AVMA Accredited) at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, PA

Mandatory Prerequisites

must be 18 years of age or older
Copy of high school diploma or GED

From the bulleted list below, submit scores in any combination (one math AND one English) with the application form.

Grades of C on college transcript in 100-level math and English courses
Accuplacer scores of 250 in arithmetic and reading comprehension (if you need to take Accuplacer tests, you will receive a Testing Center order form at the Mandatory Workshop. Each test is $5.)
SAT scores of 540 in critical reading and 530 in quantitative
ACT scores of 23 in reading and 22 in math
Grade of 4 in advanced placement high school English and math

Additional Information
(Instructions to access prerequisite forms will be emailed to you upon registration)

Admitted students must submit to criminal background check and drug screen (additional fee).
Physical required including tetanus shot and immunization titers
Admitted students must have health insurance
75 percent average is required for participation in clinical
NAVTA program attendance requirement for classroom and clinical instruction must be met to graduate.
Students must purchase textbooks and sneakers for class and clinical instruction.
Admitted students without documentation submitted prior to the start of the program will be administratively withdrawn from the program and a $150 processing fee will be charged.

In-Person Classroom Instruction at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital

Monday & Thursday
September 4 – December 22
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

(No Class November 27, December 22 – January 2)

Clinical
Monday through Thursday
January 5, 2026 – January 27, 2026
8:00 am – 4:00 pm

(No clinical January 19)

Graduation
Wednesday, January 28, 2026

AVA Exam
TBD

All Applications with supporting documents are due Monday, July 14 by end of business day

Fee and Code: $3,799, XMEDG 081
Textbooks and AVA exam not included (approx. $375) Click here for the textbook and supply list

Questions or additional information can be obtained by forwarding any inquiries to Scott Shanes at 732-224-2011 or email sshanes@brookdalecc.edu or cpshealthcare@brookdalecc.edu

This program meets strict academic requirements for renewal from NAVTA every 2-3 years.
Brookdale’s Veterinary Assistant program achieved renewal status again in December 2024.

**From the NAVTA* Approved Veterinary Assistant Committee…
“…We congratulate you and your faculty for continuing to provide the very best in education and training of Veterinary Assistants.”**