Has anyone been hired as a veterinary assistant after finishing an?
I obtained my A.A.S. through an online/distance learning program while working as an assistant and it did not negatively impact the gains I made going from an assistant to a technician. I did go to brick and mortar classes for my assistant certification, though the vet I interned under and was subsequently employed by put more importance on experience than education. An assistant certificate does not give you any more legal ability to perform within the veterinary office, so not many vets put much credit into an assistant certificate. It may help you sound more knowledgable about the job tasks when you go in for an interview, but if a vet wants to hire someone who has been educated for the job they almost always mean someone with an A.A.S., or someone working towards one. Different vets prefer different things. Some vets do prefer experience and don't care if you have any formal education. Others prefer fresh' graduates so they can teach them without any previous misconceptions. It depends on the practice. Almost all online programs require hands on learning, either through volunteering somewhere or through a satellite location the school sets up. I haven't met any vets who think less of online learning than traditional learning provided the student seems to have actually learned, and the online school was accredited.