This program offers coaching, feedback, and the opportunity to engage with both your instructor and fellow participants through online forums designed to enhance your learning. 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.
Assignments are tailored to help you create practical documents that can be immediately applied to improve your clinic's business outcomes. While the program is online, each course is guided by an instructor with years of hands-on experience as a Veterinary Practice Manager.
Delivery: Online
Dates: Course start dates vary
Prerequisites: None, although a minimum one year experience working in a veterinary setting is strongly encouraged
Certification: Non-credit Certificate
Length of Program: 10 Weeks/Course
Registration Deadline: Two weeks prior to course start date. Pending availability; late registrations may be accepted with a late fee. Limited space available so register early.
Required Text & Materials: Practice Made Perfect - A Complete Guide to Veterinary Practice Management, 3rd Edition, Heinke, Marsha L., McCarthy, John B. (2012). Published in Lakewood, Colorado. American Animal Hospital Express.
*Please note that this is the only textbook required for this certificate program and it is required for all courses. If you work for a clinic that is a member, you may be able to purchase the text for a reduced price.
Purchase this textbook through AAHA: www.aaha.org or call 1-800-252-2242 ask for the ‘member service centre’.
This fully online certificate is comprised of six courses:
Following completion of the program, the learner will be able to:
Courses can be taken individually and in any order
Dates: TBD
Cost: $899 + GST
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: Online
Learn the art of actively addressing situations to obtain the best possible outcome. Gain a greater understanding of the importance of effective communication to your success as a practice manager. Acquire the knowledge, skills and strategies that will assist you to utilize appropriate written, verbal, intrapersonal and interpersonal communications to facilitate success with clients, staff, and other stakeholders. During this course, you will have the opportunity to apply the skills that will make you a more effective team leader within your team, and build your confidence handling a variety of situations that arise, including those that require conflict resolution skills.
Dates: March 24 - June 13, 2025
Cost: $899 + GST
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: Online
Support business success by developing a strategic marketing plan for a veterinary clinic. Analyze factors that affect clients' perceptions, develop a client retention program, and identify your options for external marketing, including the use of social media. Learn how marketing is part of every client interaction and how to evaluate marketing efforts to generate the greatest value for your dollar.
Dates: March 24 - June 13, 2025
Cost: $899 + GST
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: Online
Acquire the skills to evaluate the business systems and operation procedures in a clinic and support positive changes that improve business outcomes. Become familiar with all types of documents, agreements and contracts that are utilized within the veterinary business. Positively impact the clinic you work in through a comprehensive understanding of the legislative, compliance, and reporting requirements, as well as the ethical implications of various policies.
Dates: TBD
Cost: $899 + GST
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: Online
Learn how to effectively develop and manage the clinic's most important resource - the staff. Determine staffing requirements, create job descriptions, interview and recruit, coach and mentor your team effectively. Examine best practices for negotiation, performance evaluation and improvement, and successful team leadership.
Dates: Sept. 15 - Dec. 12, 2025
Cost: $899 + GST
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: Online
Confidently manage all financial aspects of a veterinary practice. Gain an understanding of accounting principles, the ability to evaluate Key Performance Indicators and overall financial performance, as well as select the appropriate tools to control clinic expenses and monitor clinic financials. Choose the most appropriate strategies to manage cashflow, develop internal protections to avoid embezzlement, and successfully compose a concise financial summary for presentation to your supervisor.
Dates: Sept. 15 - Dec. 12, 2025
Cost: $899 + GST
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: Online
Students will improve upon computer application skill sets, including varied operations in the Microsoft Office suite. Students learn how to integrate the various components and use available technology for efficient, effective, and creative business management and marketing purposes. Students will also become more confident in sharing this knowledge with the rest of their industry team. Materials and instruction are supported for both the Windows and Mac platforms, so this course is effective for all those utilizing computer systems in the workplace.
Yes – you are not required to register for the ‘certificate’, you just register for the courses as you want to complete them & then when you have completed all six, you will receive the certificate. We encourage people to take only one course at a time unless they have a good deal of free time for the coursework.
Students have five years to complete this certificate.
Phone: 403.556.4740
Toll-Free: 1.800.661.6537
Email: coned@oldscollege.ca