Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare
The Nova Scotia SPCA College is committed to providing high quality education to raise standards in animal welfare. Students are taught academic excellence in balance with skills for overall wellness. Students will graduate job-ready with a passion for their industry.
Our programs are an extraordinary educational opportunity because we have optimal small class sizes, experienced and credentialed instructional team and staff, and the ultimate support of the SPCA community, staff, resources and facilities.
The Nova Scotia SPCA College responds to community and business needs to provide excellence in animal welfare education. We are active in supporting and creating a diverse and inclusive workforce in the animal welfare industry.
Veterinary Assistant
Our Veterinary Assistant Program prepares students for a career in the animal welfare industry as skilled assistants to Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians. Veterinary Assistants (VAs) are equipped with all the necessary tools to provide outstanding customer service, office administration duties, client education, patient care, and animal handling. VAs contribute to good working relationships within a veterinary team and play a key role in successful hospital operations. Their knowledge and skills are also transferable to other animal welfare facilities such as boarding kennels, pet daycares, and animal rehabilitation centers.
In this program, you will learn:
- Animal Care Attendant
- Business Administration
- Customer Service
- Exotic Animal Care and Handling
- Large Animal Care and Handling
- Animal Handling 1
- Animal Nutrition
- Veterinary Hospital Procedures
- Animal Handling 2
- Animal Nursing
You will have hands-on experience with an internship (160 hours) at an approved animal welfare business of your choosing.
Start Date of Next Class: September 2025
Expected Graduation Date: August 2026
Length: One-Year Full-Time
Prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent and an interview with the program instructor. Mathematics 12 or Mathematics at Work 12 is preferred.
Click here for printable/downloadable copy of the Veterinary Assistant Program Information.
Apply Now!Veterinary Technology
Our Veterinary Technology Program prepares students for a career in the animal welfare industry as Veterinary Technicians. Students will develop skills to assist Veterinarians with the treatment of animals by administering medications, testing blood and other samples, administering anesthesia and monitoring patients during and after surgery. Students will learn ways to work with, and educate, clients and pet owners on how to improve the health and welfare of their animals.
In this program, you will learn:
- Anatomy and Physiology Level 1, 2
- Animal Behaviour
- Veterinary Sciences
- Clinical Pathology Level 1, 2 & 3
- Pharmacology
- Small Animal Nursing Level 1 & 2
- Small Animal Nutrition
- Common Diseases
- Surgical Nursing
- Large Animal Nursing
- Radiology and Advanced Imaging
- Exotics, Wildlife and Lab Animals
- Dentistry
- Emergency and Critical Care
- VTNE preparation
- Office Procedures
- Veterinary Medical Terminology
- Veterinary Math
You will have hands-on experience with two clinical rotations and a clinical internship (240 hours) at an accredited veterinary hospital of your choosing.
Tuition scholarships are available to qualified candidates. Students graduating from the inaugural class with a minimum cumulative average of 85% are guaranteed employment in an SPCA facility in Nova Scotia with a starting salary of $22/hour.
Anticipated Start Date of Inaugural Class: September 2025
Pending approval from the Department of Labour and Advanced Education.
Expected Graduation Date: June 2027
Length: Two-Year Full-Time Program
Prerequisites:
• Grade 12 Diploma, Adult Diploma, or GED, as well as a recommended average of 75% or higher in each of the following courses: Grade 12 English, Grade 12 Academic Math, Grade 11 or 12 Biology, and Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry.
• 20 hours of volunteering in an animal hospital, shelter or refuge • Interview with the program director
• PI cognitive and aptitude tests
• Three dose series of rabies vaccines and proof of current tetanus vaccination during or before first semester.
Click here for printable/downloadable copy of the Veterinary Technician Program Information.
Click here to be the first in line to formally apply!