What does a vet assistant do?

I'm curious about what a vet assistant actually does on a daily basis. Is it mostly helping the veterinarians during exams or are there other tasks involved? I'm considering a career in this field, so any insights would be appreciated.

A Veterinary Assistant's daily routine greatly revolves around supporting veterinarians and vet technicians in their duties. One main aspect of their work includes helping prepare examination rooms and assisting during exams. For instance, they may be asked to hold animals still during the examination or even during minor surgical procedures.

Another significant part of their responsibilities involves basic animal care. This ranges from feeding and bathing animals, to exercising animals in recovery or under hospitalization. It's essential that animals have a clean and comfortable environment, so cleaning cages and kennels, and ensuring bedding is fresh, is often part of the vet assistant's daily duties.

Besides these, a vet assistant may also perform some administrative tasks such as filling out and maintaining patient records, scheduling appointments, and even interacting with pet owners by answering phone calls and questions. They can help to educate pet owners on appropriate home care as well as provide post-op care instructions, under the guidance of a vet or veterinary technician.

In case of emergencies, a vet assistant might also be called upon to perform first aid or CPR on an animal under the supervision of a veterinarian. Note that these are just some general duties, and specific tasks might vary depending on the size and type of veterinary practice (such as a small neighborhood clinic versus a large veterinary hospital or a specialty practice like equine or exotic animals). It's certainly a role that requires compassion for animals, physical stamina, and good interpersonal and communication skills!