Animal Care

The Veterinary Assistant Training is a comprehensive training program that consists of four -non-credit courses, each course including a supervised clinical practicum, Totaling 150- hours of training. 96-hours classroom 54- clinical internship hours. The length of the program is approximately 10 months.

This course series will provide you with the basic knowledge and skills needed for an entry-level position in a veterinary hospital. Courses must be taken in sequence and upon successful completion of all courses; you will receive a Continuing Education Certificate.

This Training is approved and supported, as a formal training for persons working in a supportive position to Veterinary technicians and veterinarians.

The Veterinary Assistant assessment test, must be taken, and passed to gain entry into the program (regardless of educational level), as well as attend the mandatory program orientation.

This program training begins in September and ends approximately the third week of May.

Like working with Animals?

You may want to learn more about the Professional Pet Groomer Training

Certified pet groomers enjoy an artistic and rewarding career helping pets look their best! Groomers specialize in maintaining a pet’s appearance. They cut, trim, and style a pet’s fur, clip nails, clean their ears, and bathe them in a variety of settings. This can be in your own shop, a mobile pet salon, or even a pet supply store.

This 105 –hour comprehensive training program consist of four-non-credit courses and 12 hours of internship training in an off campus-grooming boutique.

This hands on course will provide students with a strong, precise foundation and understanding of pet grooming. Each student will learn the responsibilities in which a groomer has towards the pet and the pet parents. Once students complete the required foundations covered in each module, they will be equipped with the basic knowledge and skills needed to experiences what the Pet Grooming industry has to offer.

Courses must be taken in sequence and upon successful completion of all courses; you will receive a Continuing Education Certificate.

Montgomery College's Pet Grooming Program consists of classroom lectures, hands on training, and field trips.

Do you love dogs? Do you want to work in the growing pet industry? Then this 120-hour training program may be just what you are looking for. In this program, you will be introduced to the pet/dog-training industry and what it takes to succeed, enjoy, and fulfill the dream of working with dogs and their owners. Subjects covered will include breed identification, evaluating dogs, building a training plan, introduction to common training tools, obedience training and confidence building. Upon completion of this program, students will possess the tools to prepare you as an employee in the pet/dog-training industry or to eventually run your own obedience training business.

Andrew Fraser, owner of Dogizone Rockville, Maryland, who is teaching this course, is recognized as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer by the International Association of Canine Professionals. Mr. Fraser is also a certified Pet Tech First Aid and CPR instructor as well as a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

· This course is being taught at an off campus location.

What is Animal Reiki ?

Animal Reiki is an energy healing technique developed thousands of years ago which is gentle, can be done hands on (in person) or from any distances with the same effect and outcome. It has been adapted into many different names and across many different cultures.

Animal Reiki can help stressed, nervous and injured animals for any type of pet or animal, no matter what they have been through. Animal Reiki can help ease emotional issues, and can help dietary and eating issues. Best of all, Animal Reiki is self-guided and heals so much more. Animals are very accepting of Animal Reiki.

Do you want to learn more about Animal Reiki, than these three modules of classes taught by a Dr. of Reiki will teach you that and more.

PET010: Animal Reiki I

This course will benefit you if you are new to Reiki or an experienced practitioner wanting to learn about working with animals. You will be introduced to Reiki, the Japanese healing system and the history of its founders. You will learn how you can perform Reiki sessions on animals with a focus on healing and balancing. Each successful student will receive a first level Animal Reiki I certificate.

PET011: Animal Reiki II

This course is designed to enable you to learn the healing methods of Level II Reiki, how distance healing works across space and time, and how Reiki can be complimented with other alternative healing techniques. Each successful student will receive a second level attunement/Animal Reiki Level II Certificate and skills to practice Level II Reiki with animals. Prerequisite: Animal Reiki Level I. Tuition waiver applies; seniors pay fee only.

PET018: Animal Reiki III

This course is designed to teach students advanced methods of using Reiki energy healing with animals, in continuation of the previous two level courses. You will learn healing after surgery or trauma, energy work for animals who have been abandoned, energy work for animals with emotional and behavioral problems, and also techniques for balancing one's own energy and how to pass Reiki healing ability to others. Each successful student will receive a third level attunement/Animal Reiki Level III Certificate and skills to practice Level III Reiki with animals. Prerequisite: Animal Reiki Level I. Animal Reiki Level II. Tuition waiver applies; seniors pay fee only. Prerequisite: Reiki I and II. Tuition waiver applies; seniors pay fee only.

PET008: Pet First Aid and CPR

Learn how to respond to health emergencies and provide basic first aid and CPR to cats and dogs. You will learn the basic pet owner responsibilities, administering medication, breathing and cardiac emergencies, and treating basic wounds.

Emergency Preparedness for Pets. Are you Ready? 

Pets are family too. Do you have a plan for your pet in an emergency? Including pets in the emergency plan helps your family’s ability to respond to an emergency. In this course, students will learn how to make an emergency plan for their pet, how to prepare a shelter for their pet, and how to prepare a disaster kit for their pet in the case of an emergency.

Minimum requirements for all animal Care courses: 18 years of age, high school diploma or GED. Certain prerequisites apply – for more information on requirements, please contact Tracy Singleton at 240 567-2599, email tracy.singleton@montgomerycollege.edu.

Scholarship Opportunity

Workforce Development & Continuing Education Career Path Scholarship offers an opportunity for qualified candidates to get a scholarship up to $1,000 for this program. See Career Path Scholarship for more information. Take note of the deadline for applying for a scholarship.

NOTE: The Animal Care programs uses live animals for teaching purposes. Montgomery College takes all necessary safety precautions when students interact with live animals. However, students must be aware that live animals by nature may not be absolutely controlled. Therefore, a potential exists for students to be bitten, scratched, or injured by an animal while participating in this program. Montgomery College does not provide medical insurance for any injury sustained.