Companion Animal Technician

Lakehead University; Northwestern Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Lakehead University invites applications for a Companion Animal Technician to support companion animal teaching within the CDVMP. The role focuses on clinical skills instruction, live-animal labs, and professional communications laboratories in the Animal Education Facility on the Thunder Bay campus.

The technician will work within a team-teached curriculum, report to the Department Chair of Veterinary Science, and help ensure safe, effective learning environments for students and privately

Qualifications

• Diploma in Veterinary Technology required.
• VTNE completed and OAVT ethics exam required.
• Current OAVT registration required.
• Experience in companion animal practice and clinical skills instruction preferred.
• Strong communication and organizational skills essential.
• Valid Ontario driver’s licence and rabies titre.
• Mandatory safety training on hire.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate and support companion animal laboratories in clinical medicine, anaesthesia, surgery, pathology, and professional communications.
• Coordinate recruitment, scheduling, intake, care, and discharge of privately owned dogs used in teaching.
• Support communications labs by coordinating simulated clients and veterinary coaches.
• Prepare and maintain clinical skills laboratories and dog housing facilities.
• Support independent student practice sessions and supervised live-animal labs.
• Ensure compliance with animal welfare, safety, and institutional protocols.
• Assist with OSCEs, outreach, recruitment, and departmental activities.
• Support training and orientation of part-time demonstrators and facility users.

Skills

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Experience in companion animal care

Team collaboration

Education

Diploma from an accredited Veterinary Technician program

VTNE completed

OAVT registration

Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credentials (asset)

Job description

*This position will be posted until filled.

Lakehead University invites applications for a Companion Animal Technician to support companion animal teaching within the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP). This role supports clinical skills instruction, live-animal teaching, and professional communications laboratories within the Animal Education Facility.

This role will contribute to the delivery of the accredited veterinary curriculum within the CDVMP at Lakehead University’s Thunder Bay campus, working collaboratively within a team-taught curriculum delivery model alongside OVC faculty colleagues. Reporting to the Chair of the Department of Veterinary Science, the Companion Animal Technician supports student learning through laboratory demonstration, coordination of live-animal labs involving privately owned dogs, and management of companion animal teaching facilities. The role works closely with faculty, veterinary coaches, and students to ensure safe and effective learning environments.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate and support companion animal laboratories in clinical medicine, anaesthesia, surgery, pathology, and professional communications
• Coordinate recruitment, scheduling, intake, care, and discharge of privately owned dogs used in teaching
• Support communications labs by coordinating simulated clients and veterinary coaches
• Prepare and maintain clinical skills laboratories and dog housing facilities
• Support independent student practice sessions and supervised live-animal labs
• Ensure compliance with animal welfare, safety, and institutional protocols
• Assist with OSCEs, outreach, recruitment, and departmental activities
• Support training and orientation of part-time demonstrators and facility users

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Diploma from an accredited Veterinary Technician program
• Successful completion of the VTNE and OAVT ethics exam
• Current OAVT registration
• Experience in companion animal practice and clinical skills instruction
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Valid Ontario driver’s licence and adequate rabies titre
• Completion of mandatory safety training upon hire

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience in dentistry, surgery, anaesthesia, or clinical practice preferred
• Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credentials are considered an asset

Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and other equity‑seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.

Lakehead University has a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of underrepresented groups among applicants, candidates, and hires. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity‑deserving groups, is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.

We appreciate your interest; Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at [phone] ext. 8334 or [e-mail] to make appropriate arrangements.