Animal Health Technology

Code	145.A0
Diploma	DCS
Sector	Agriculture and Fisheries
Number of credits	91 2/3
Status	Program approved in 1998. In effect until August 31th, 2025.

Note(s)
This program is offered in French: Techniques de santé animale

Program Objectives

This program is designed to train students to be animal health technicians, mainly in clinical sectors and in research. The work of a technician consists of assisting a veterinarian or research worker in animal experimentation in their work. In both cases, the technician would be called upon to perform tests on the animals, to care for them and to set up the appropriate systems for the carrying out of technical aspects in animal health services.

Length of training

Specific (hours)	Total (hours)
2070	2730

Total length of training includes general training that is common to all programs for 420 hours, general training for this program for 150 hours as well as complementary general training courses for 90 hours.

Duration of training consists of theory and lab work for courses; personal time that the student invests is excluded.

Program Content

Number or Code	Statement of the Competency
00QJ	To analyze the profession
00QK	To manage equipment and materials
00QL	To admit animals for treatment
00QM	To ensure the proper operation of an animal facility
00QN	To administer nursing care
00QP	To administer nursing care to animals reproduced for consumption
00QQ	To perform clinical biochemistry and immunological tests
00QR	To perform cytological and histoligical tests and necropsies
00QS	To perform haematological tests
00QT	To perform microbiological and parasitology tests
00QU	To breed animals
00QV	To maintain cell and microbial cultures
00QW	To assist in radiology
00QX	To assist in surgery
00QY	To perform dental prophylaxis
00QZ	To participate in experimental surgeries
00R0	To perform physiological investigations
00R1	To provide client services
00R2	To participate in an animal experiment
00R3	To use techniques in animal restraint
00R4	To use chemical and biochemical laboratory techniques
00R5	To associate genetic and cellular factors with the growth and reproduction of animals
00R6	To prevent the propagation of microorganisms and parasites
00R7	To establish a link between the anatomy and physiology of animals and their biological functions
00R8	To manage nutrituinal care
00R9	To establish methods for recognizing and modifying animal behaviour
00RA	To recognize pathological signs
00RB	To analyze the effects of medication on an animal

Number of hours alloted to specific training: 2070 hours

Admission Conditions and Prerequisites

To be admitted to the program, a person must meet the general requirements for admission set out in the College Education Regulations, as well as the following special conditions, where applicable:

Must have passed the following secondary-level course(s):

• Sec. IV EST or SE – Secondary IV Environmental Science and Technology (558404) or Science and the Environment (558402)
• Sec. IV CST – Secondary IV Mathematics: Cultural, Social and Technical Option (563414)

Educational Organizations Offering the Program

Region:

Specifics:

College	D/E
Vanier College	—

Animal Health Technician

Animal health technicians handle, restrain and care for animals during treatments and surgeries performed by veterinarians. They take x-rays, samples and perform laboratory analyses. As part of their duties, they may be responsible for looking after animal quarters and advising clients on pet care. This is a job for people who love animals and have a calm, caring and courteous personality. A career as an animal health technician requires good manual dexterity and empathy.