Work With Animals
Some careers choose you before you choose them. For many animal lovers, it starts with simply wanting to be around animals, then grows into something more hands-on and purposeful. Over time, it becomes easier to picture yourself in the room, assisting during an exam, helping with treatment, or being part of the team people trust with the pets they love most.
Eastern Florida State College can help you turn that interest into a clear path forward. Both the Veterinary Assisting CCC and Veterinary Technology A.S. programs offer hands-on training with real clinical experience, preparing students for careers in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, research settings, and beyond.
Start Here: Vet Assisting College Credit Certificate
If you’re ready to get into the field and start working with animals sooner, EFSC’s Veterinary Assisting Certificate is a strong first step. This three-semester, limited-access program focuses on the day-to-day work inside a veterinary setting.
You’ll learn how to safely handle and restrain animals, support exams and treatments, and assist with basic lab procedures. It’s hands-on early, with clinical experience each semester working with both small and large animals.
The 14 credits from the Vet Assisting CCC will transfer to the Veterinary Technology A.S. degree program after the completion of the certificate program.
Continue With: Veterinary Technology A.S. Degree
EFSC’s two-year Veterinary Technology program builds on foundational skills and prepares you for a more advanced clinical role, with direct involvement in patient care, diagnostics, and treatment plans.
Smaller on-campus class sizes, along with guidance from experienced faculty and mentors, help build career readiness every step of the way.
You'll learn how to assist in surgical procedures, monitor anesthesia, take x-rays, and other essential tasks as you prepare for certification after graduation.
Where This Can Take You
Working in veterinary medicine can look different depending on where you land, and that’s part of what makes it so rewarding. Some graduates see themselves in a clinic or animal hospital, building relationships with patients and their owners over time. Others are drawn to faster-paced environments, assisting with procedures and supporting more advanced care.
Clinics and Animal Hospitals
Build lasting relationships providing skilled, compassionate care as a vet assistant.
Advanced Care and Labs
Assist with surgical procedures, diagnostics, and day-to-day clinical essentials as a vet tech.
Wildlife Research and Beyond
Work with diverse species in settings like labs, rehabilitation centers, zoos, and more.
For those who want to keep going, the Veterinary Technology degree can open doors to specialized roles, leadership opportunities, and additional degrees or certifications that expand what your day-to-day may can look like. No matter the setting, the focus stays the same: providing skilled, compassionate care for animals and support to the people who care about them.