Graduating vet assistants will help ease labour shortage, says Nova Scotia SPCA

Nineteen graduating veterinary assistants will offer some much-needed help in a field experiencing worker shortages, according to the Nova Scotia SPCA.

A ceremony was held on Wednesday morning for this year's graduates of the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare program. The program was started three years ago to address the demand for veterinary support staff.

"It is challenging at present," said Dr. Mike West, director of veterinary education programs at the college.

West said as the population of Nova Scotia increases, so do the number of pets in the province. 

"Being able to train some folks to get into that market is really important because it's really hard for a veterinarian to function without these folks," he said.

Thirteen of the 19 new graduates already have been hired by veterinary clinics in Nova Scotia. 

"I'm not going to lie to you, it is a little bit scary," said Jennah Bear, valedictorian of the graduating class. "But overall, it is a really good feeling because you know that you're going into a field that needs you."

Bear, 24, will be working at Tartan Tales Veterinary Hospital in Dartmouth, N.S., where she completed her internship.

"Just being the best VA that I can and helping as many people and pets as possible is really my main goal," Bear said.

Bigger class next year

More veterinary-assistant graduates are expected next year, with 30 people enrolled in the program. 

"All of our graduates are absorbed by the industry, so increasing the numbers is just going to provide more people for a profession that really needs it," West said.

The Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare program will also be introducing a veterinary technician program next year to help with support-staff shortages.