Animal health professionals play an important role in supporting the well-being of animals and the people who care for them. At Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, you can explore education focused on animal health, veterinary support and the practical skills needed to work with animals in professional settings. Through applied learning, industry-informed instruction and access to specialized facilities, students build knowledge they can use in the workplace. Whether you are interested in animal care, veterinary practice support or the wider animal health industry, discover opportunities to turn your interest in animals into a career.
As part of this 18-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 Centre and Smart Farm.
Length: 18 months (Accelerated Diploma)
Delivery: On-Campus
Program Intake: Fall Intake, Winter Intake, Spring Intake
Learning a variety of office administration, customer service and veterinary medicine skills from trained Registered Veterinary Technologist instructors, you will gain all the skills you need to be an asset to any veterinary team.
Length: One Year
Delivery: On-Campus
Program Intake: Fall Intake, Winter Intake, Spring Intake
This four-month program introduces you to the veterinary industry and animal care practices needed for an entry-level position in the animal health field. Working with small animals, you will receive hands-on learning experience with useful principles and procedures of the veterinary industry.
Length: Four Months
Delivery: On-Campus
Program Intake: Fall Intake, Winter Intake, Spring Intake
Whether you're looking for short courses, online learning, evening classes, or hands-on certifications, we offer a variety of options to fit your busy schedule. Designed in collaboration with industry experts, our programs provide practical knowledge and real-world experience to help you succeed.
If you are looking to manage your own flock, this fast-paced, two-day practical workshop provides the fundamental skills needed to shear sheep efficiently and humanely. This course moves beyond theory, placing the handpiece directly in your hand for a true "boots-on-the-ground" experience.
Build or enhance your own backyard beekeeping operation! Whether you are a beginner or an established beekeeper, a hobbyist or a professional, living in an urban or a rural setting, gain the skills to raise and manage honey bees through an entire beekeeping season.
Designed to help veterinary and animal health professionals navigate grief and loss with resilience and compassion. Through community-based practices and grief tending, participants will gain tools to support both their clients and their own emotional well-being.
This exciting beef certificate will provide online training to students interested, or already employed, in the livestock work force.
This entry level introductory course utilizes both theory-based knowledge training and hands-on massage for your canine partner.
After the successful completion of this course, RVTs can perform pregnancy detection in beef cattle using ultrasound, in the province of Alberta under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian given that the job has been delegated by a veterinarian and the RVT has proven they are competent in this area.
During this intensive four-day course, students are introduced to all aspects of artificial insemination and herd reproduction management; this includes the opportunity for both classroom learning and plenty of hands-on experience.
*Continuing Professional Development Hours. Is your RVT license lapsed or non-practicing? Want to refresh or sharpen your skills in a specific area? We’ve got new training opportunities to help you get recertified and stay current!
If you're aged 13 to 16 and considering a career in this industry, this camp will introduce you to animal care basics and first aid. Through interactive lessons, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences, you'll explore essential skills and discover a variety of career options in veterinary science.
Ideal for those currently working in a veterinary clinic and looking to implement best business practices, this certificate is built around assignments, quizzes, and interactive discussions.
Ever dream of working with horses and cattle? Want a sneak peek into the life of a veterinarian who works with large animals? This intensive four-day program is your chance to dive in, get hands-on and see what it’s really like to care for large animals.
Applications now open for 2027-28.
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