How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Georgia

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Many animal lovers and owners are living in Georgia.

If you want to work in a field where you can interact both with people and animals, becoming a veterinary assistant could be for you!

Read on to find out the requirements for this job in Georgia!

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Veterinary Assistant Employment and Job Duties in Georgia

Residents of the State of Georgia who want to become veterinary assistants have many facilities willing to employ them.

Here are some of them:

  • Pet clinics,
  • Animal rescue facilities,
  • Animal shelters
  • Zoos
  • Educational institutions

What you should know is that the hiring conditions and job duties will be different between these businesses.

Georgia’s tops employers of vet assistants are:

  • Veterinary Centers of America
    • This facility has centers in Carrollton, Roswell, and Savannah.
  • Banfield Pet Hospital
    • This pet hospital also has 3 locations: Macon, Augusta, and Savannah.
  • Vetco Wellness Centers
    • This center can be found in 4 cities: Alpharetta, Atlanta, Peachtree City, and Buford.

Many individuals start as volunteers in many of these places. especially if they lack the qualifications for the position.

Generally speaking, you’ll be responsible for completing duties such as:

  • Communicating with clients
  • Making appointments
  • Request records requests from other vets
  • Inventory control
  • Cleaning vet gear
  • Sanitizing animal cages
  • Operation room cleaning
  • Help with filling prescriptions
  • Prepping exam and operating spaces
  • Keeping records updated
  • Pay attention to the dietary needs of pets
  • Make sure the animals get enough exercise

Becoming Certified as a Vet Assistant in Georgia

Currently, Georgia doesn’t have any regulations related to becoming a vet’s assistant.

In reality, those seeking employment will have a hard time without a high school diploma or even a GED.

To maximize your chances of finding a job, you should enroll in a certificate program and get a diploma upon graduating.

The training program needs accreditation from the AVMA.

In Georgia, these courses are available at the schools in the table below.

Top 8 Schools in Georgia

School NameAddress
Ashworth College6625 The Corners Parkway, Norcross, Georgia, 30092
Athens Technical College800 U.S. Hwy 29 North, Athens, Georgia 30601
Fort Valley State University1005 State University Dr, Fort Valley, Georgia, 31030-4313
Gwinnett Technical College5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, Georgia, 30043-5702
Middle Georgia Technical College80 Cohen Walker Drive Warner Robins, Georgia, 31088
Ogeechee Technical College1 Joe Kennedy Blvd Statesboro, GA 30458
Southern Regional Technical College15689 U.S. Highway 19 North, Thomasville, Georgia, 31792
University of Georgia1197 South Lumpkin Street Athens, GA 30602

While online classes are acceptable for this position, they are harder to find.

From the schools above, Ashworth College is one of the few that have such an option if you’re interested in it.

Expect to study topics such as:

  • Identifying different animal breeds
  • Animal anatomy
  • The best ways to administer meds
  • Performing laboratory analyses
  • How to administer post-operative care
  • Handling various breeds of animals
  • Soothing animal patients
  • Medical terminology
  • Handling chemicals

Those attending these schools can graduate with either an Associates or a Bachelors degree, such as:

  • Bachelor of Science (BS) in veterinary
  • Associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology

Earning only a certificate in the field from those institutions is also possible.

Depending on the diploma you want to obtain, the duration of the program will vary.

Students are also encouraged to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), to become better candidates or to widen their career options in the future.

Individuals can also become Approved Veterinary Assistants, or AVAs, by completing one of the following:

  • Externship
    • This option is good for those who do not work in the industry just yet.
    • The training program offers theory classes but also practice, which is significant when trying to get hired.
  • Experiential Learner
    • If you are already working in the industry, this option may be suitable for you.
    • You will have to work for 20 hours in a vet facility to apply.
  • Veterinary Assistant Program
    • For this, you have to work part-time in a vet facility.
    • After you complete training, you can take the AVA test.

Salary Information for a Veterinary Assistant in Georgia

The demand for vet assistants is expected to grow at a much faster pace than many other occupations.

This is the best time to start your training and get certified as a veterinary assistant!

Below you can see the salary you can expect as a vet’s assistant, in Georgia’s major cities.

Annual Salary Range:
$24K
$30K
$37K

Average Salary of Veterinary Assistants in Georgia

City NameSalary
Atlanta$31,481
Augusta-Richmond County$29,782
Columbus$28,944
Savannah$29,904
Athens-Clarke County$31,258
Macon$29,693
Roswell$31,362
Albany$29,254
Marietta$31,392
Warner Robins$29,604
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Georgia

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Albany, GA50$28,290$13.6$35,900$21,600
Athens-Clarke County, GA130$31,920$15.35$38,120$23,010
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA2,000$35,910$17.27$43,950$29,370
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC180$34,610$16.64$43,040$27,800
Columbus, GA-AL80$29,750$14.3$36,520$23,140
Gainesville, GA60$35,730$17.18$49,920$26,930
Macon, GA40$33,270$16$40,140$23,740
Rome, GA60$31,710$15.25$37,080$27,940
Savannah, GA150$32,340$15.55$37,280$27,490
Valdosta, GA50$29,640$14.25$35,900$22,980
Warner Robins, GA80$29,200$14.04$35,870$22,450
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers, OCC Code 31-9096, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Additional Information About Vet Assistants in Georgia

Veterinarians are overseen by the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine.

It’s best to check their website often, to find out if there are any changes related to the need for a license for vet assistants.

Keep in mind that some certifications need to be renewed, and for this, you could need to pay a fee and to continue your education.

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