Veterinary assistants spend most of their time with pets and pet owners and are directly responsible for the care both receive while at the hospital.

A veterinary attendant is someone who is training to become a veterinary assistant. Veterinary attendants may be kennel workers, bathers, or new receptionists. It may take one to two years for someone to be on-the-job trained for a veterinary assistant, but with education attendants can assume the role of assistant much quicker and with a better understanding.

Registered Veterinary Technicians are registered nurses for animal patients. They have taken a test and have a license in the state in which they are working. An RVT gets his or her education from a community college or private school and can earn a two or four year degree in animal health technology. In California, veterinary assistants who have developed their skills for three or more years can get education in animal health care on a fast track that will allow them to become licensed without a degree. This is known as the alternate route. The duties of an RVT include those performed by an assistant and in addition, they have more advanced skills and supervisory duties. Registered Veterinary Technicians have advanced skills in the areas of anesthesia, dentistry, bandaging, and surgical assisting, and more training in obtaining blood samples, taking X-rays, placing catheters, and administering treatments. They may also have experience with exotic animals such as birds, reptiles, and small mammals. After obtaining a license, an RVT may pursue advanced specialization in the area of anesthesia, critical care, or dentistry.

A veterinarian is a doctor for animals. Companion animal veterinarians are doctors for small animals like dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rabbits and rodents. Veterinarians have gone to college for approximately 6 to 9 years (and sometimes more!) to study animal anatomy, physiology, behavior, and diseases. They graduate with an advanced degree in veterinary medicine, called a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD), and pass State and National Board examinations to become licensed. Veterinarians are required to keep their medical knowledge current, which is mandatory for periodic license renewal. Companion animal veterinarians prevent disease in pets by means of "preventive medicine" which includes vaccinations, spaying and neutering and nutritional counseling. Veterinarians diagnose sick animals using a variety of skills in diagnostic testing, and treat them with medicine and surgery. Determining the cause of an animal's illness can be very challenging; and while some conditions may be incurable, many are treatable. Above all, veterinarians care about animals and will do everything they can to prevent animals from suffering. They are looking for caring, qualified veterinary assistants and Registered Veterinary Technicians to help with that mission.

Veterinary assistants can earn a certificate through a non-degree program in an effort to be more knowledgeable and valuable to the veterinary profession. With focused education and training, Professional Veterinary Assistant Graduates enter the workplace with knowledge of the veterinary field to prepare them for success. Professional Veterinary Assistants assist veterinarians, educate the public, and contribute to better care of pets both in and outside the hospital. Once a veterinary assistant masters the skills needed to be successful, he or she may go back to school to become a Registered Veterinary Technician or even a veterinarian. Others may learn skills to become managers of veterinary hospitals, pet stores, kennels, or other animal-related businesses. In any case, veterinary assistants should always try to learn as much as they can to best serve their animal patients. The individuals who choose to work in and around the veterinary field find rewards in many facets of the job - both expected and unexpected!