As part of this 16-month accelerated program, you will become proficient in handling, treating and caring for cats, dogs, horses, sheep and cattle, at the new Animal Health Education Center and Smart Farm. You will learn about diagnostic laboratory procedures, animal disease, anatomy and physiology, surgery and anesthesia, diagnostic imaging, dentistry and client communication. You will also learn alongside Veterinary Medical Receptionist and Veterinary Technical Assistant students.
As part of the Veterinary Technology program, you will complete a six-week industry practicum, working directly with industry professionals.
Upon graduation from the Veterinary Technology Diploma you are eligible to write the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and a provincial licencing exam to become an Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT). You will be taught a Canadian Veterinary Medical Association accredited curriculum.
Three intakes per year: Winter (February/March start), Summer (July start), Fall (October start).
Please Note: Summer 2025 intake is suspended at this time.
Summer Intake: First Wednesday (9 a.m.) in October
Fall Intake: First Wednesday (9 a.m.) in December
Winter Intake: First Wednesday (9 a.m.) in March
Blended. The program will begin with two online courses which will be completed prior to arrival on campus. Upon completion of the online courses, students will be on campus for three back-to-back four-month semesters, delivered over 12 months. Students complete this program with a six-week industry practicum. View Delivery Chart
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will receive a diploma in Veterinary Technology.
Please Note: See Admissions Requirements for recent changes Alternate Admission Requirements for the Veterinary Technology Diploma.
Competitive Admission Program: Applicants offered admission typically have an overall average in the required courses of 80% or higher.
Verification of Job Shadowing/Employment: The Verification Form must be signed by the Veterinarian, RVT, or person who most closely supervised the applicant in the location where the job shadowing and/or employment hours were gained. This form may only be signed and submitted after the minimum of 40 hours of job shadowing and/or employment hours have been completed.
Job Shadowing/Employment Verification Form
Academic Upgrading and High School Applicants: It will be necessary to provide proof of enrolment in any required 30-level courses not yet completed (ie. a timetable, list of courses signed by the counsellor/principal or letter from the institution or staff/instructor) AND a final mark of 65% or better in the corresponding 20-level courses.
Alternate Admission: Changes to the Alternate Admission pathway into the Veterinary Technology Diploma Program will come into effect for the 2025-2026 academic year. Students admitted to the Fall 2024 (or prior) intake of Veterinary Medical Receptionist Certificate will be grandfathered under the previous Alternate Admission requirements up to and including the Winter 2026 intake for Veterinary Technology.
Alternate Admission Requirements for students admitted to the Fall 2024 Intake (or prior):
All students applying under Alternate Admission for the Veterinary Technology Diploma program will need to meet the new requirements after the Winter 2026 intake.
Prospective applicants who do not meet the academic requirements for the Veterinary Technology Diploma program are eligible for alternate admission consideration to the program if:
Directed Field Study Required: 6 week practicum in the industry to be completed at the end of the program (can be completed at a location of the student’s choosing).
Transfer Options: Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has developed agreements with other educational institutions to allow for transition to Olds College, or to another institution to continue your education. Articulations & Agreements
Out of Province Applicants: Please refer to the Provincial Equivalency Chart for course equivalencies.
International Applicants: Olds College welcomes applications from International Applicants and those who have completed their high school education outside of Canada. Please note, it is still necessary to meet all of the noted admission requirements, including English Language Proficiency.
Please refer to the current Fee Schedule for complete details.
Olds College of Agriculture & Technology offers over 450 awards, valued at $500,000+ in scholarships, bursaries and prizes. Thanks to our industry partners, alumni, and friends of Olds College we are fortunate to offer a generous student awards program to students.
For additional information on scholarships, bursaries and prizes at Olds College, visit Scholarships & Awards.
Entrance awards range from $250 - $1,500 for students applying for the upcoming academic year and have paid the tuition deposit by the deadline.
For information on how to apply for government student loans, financial aid or for help with financial planning, visit our Student Funding page.
For course descriptions and requisites, view the Academic Calendar.
Academic Calendar: Veterinary Technology
Olds College has a solid reputation working with employers in the industry! This directly translates into jobs for our graduates. Opportunities include, but are not limited to:
Visit ALIS to find Occupational Profiles with current wages, industry trends and more!
Admitted students should be aware of occupational programs where potential for exposure to animals with disease/infection is high. Please read more about program specific Immunization Information.
Find out when your term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.
You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
It is required that you come to Olds College with the following technology:
Students will use a variety of memory-intensive, Windows-only programs extensively in lectures and labs. A PC laptop running the latest version of the Microsoft Windows operating system (as of December 2020, Microsoft Windows 10. Mac and Chrome OS are not suitable. Minimum of 8GB RAM and 250GB (512 Gb recommended) available disk storage space is mandatory for this program. Laptops should have sufficient battery life to operate in the field for up to 2 hours.
As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College. To access this you just need to follow these steps:
The following items are required to be purchased prior to the start of your program:
The following items can be purchased from the Olds College Campus Store:
Information on required textbooks and any further supplies will be provided as you attend each class. All books and supplies will be available during the first few weeks of classes in the College Campus Store.
Special requirements for students registered in this program within the Province of Alberta now require that all students have an active student membership with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) under the Province of Alberta’s Veterinary Act and General Regulation.
Students in our Veterinary Technology Diploma and Veterinary Medical Receptionist Certificate programs are seeking hosts to complete their industry practicums.
If you're interested in providing this valuable opportunity, please use the form below to confirm your practicum student's name and timeline. Don't miss out on the chance to support and mentor the next generation of animal health professionals!
