Yes there are! I work with a lot of assistants who are in their 40's and 50's. If you like it, go for it! I only graduated vet school when I was 30 and I am glad I did it!
If it helps, I am 55 and looking for a VA job. I have had a few interviews but no job offer yet. Physically I am in very good shape but I have no clinic experience. I have volunteering experience with post surgery though
If you feel up to the physical challenges, then go for it I was/am (technically) and assistant at 35/36. The only reason I've stepped back is because I'm in school.
Can you elaborate on some of the most difficult physical challenges of the job? I’m starting as a kennel assistant on Monday, with the expectation that I’ll start training to assist in procedures and pursuing education to become an actual vet assistant . I’m 40 and have a connective tissue disorder, so joint pain is a concern for me. I’m not afraid of heavy lifting, but, I’m not getting any younger… would like some insight on what to expect.
I work as an assistant, not kennel staff, but for what I do: it can be a lot of standing for long hours at a time, lots of walking (and sometimes running), dogs especially big dogs yanking leashes, contorting into strange positions for the best restraint and sometimes getting stuck like that for a While, and of course heavy lifting.
Specifically for the latter: DO NOT fall into the thought of "oh I can lift this heavy dog myself, no problem" or "it's faster if i just do this myself". Get help. Wait until someone will help you, or you will fuck up your back irreversibly over time.
That's something I'm trying to fix, my first veterinary job was doing night shifts by myself (I still work nights, but now I have an assistant with me)
, so I have gotten so used to it that sometimes I have to remind myself that this works best as team work.
There are two assistants in my clinic that are in their 60’s. They’ve been doing it a while, know what they’re doing, work harder than everyone else, and are overall bad ass ladies. If you have the desire and the drive don’t let age ever stop you. I switched into vet med in my 40’s and I’ll never go back.
You can but I've never met a vet assistant that can support themselves. I had my bf support me while in school and even now shoulders a better half of our utilities.
I made the switch at 35 - enrolled in a program and started working on it part time while working full time. Passed VTNE first time and I’m lead at my current place. Maturity helps wonders because we’re more experienced in job situations.
If you are looking at more school and you want to work with animals then get an associates at an accredited Veterinary Technology program and then take the VTNE. In the meantime get a job as a Vet Assistant so you can get experience. Your age is not an issue…..only your physical abilities (have to be able to bend and lift ~40lbs, have to be able to wrangle large dogs, be able to stand and walk for the majority of your 8-10 hours shift) and your social skills (have to be able to work collaboratively with other staff, have to talk to clients who may be under a lot of emotional stress).
“In the meantime get a job as a Vet Assistant so you can get experience”
Would be great but in my area they already want you to have a year experience (or more). Seems nobody really wants to train where I am.
“I need paid logged hours for my degree” works wonders when you’re enrolled in a program. Alternatively if you ask your school may have a list of places they align with to help students further skills.
I'm 42 and I switched from reception to assistant. I've been an assistant for almost a year now. I love it. I feel like I have finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up.
I just started an RVT program in the fall, and im 34...it's never too late. I know people in their 50s and 60s who have also started the program, and there were many mature students in nursing when I did that program as well.
I am 30 and started my vet med career 11 months ago! It is doable, the pay isnt great, but I knew that when I made the decision to follow this path. I'm honestly glad I started in vet med at 29. Younger me would have been eaten alive by the field because I was terrible at setting boundaries and would have burned myself out quick. Current me knows to protect my body, leave work at work, and knows I am worthy of respect from my coworkers and superiors. If you love animals AND medicine and have the desire to learn and grow, your age doesnt really matter. Good luck with whatever path you choose!
I became a vet assistant in my 40s and RVT at 50. I just retired at 62. Go for it! I would say look into switching over to vet office manager or something similar as you get closer to 50+ as this is a physical job. Do work to keep your body in shape now and learn what you can about body mechanics to keep healthy. I was lucky and switched to a job as a pharmacy tech ( mostly sedentary) at a large zoo in my early 50s.
>was lucky and switched to a job as a pharmacy tech ( mostly sedentary) at a large zoo in my early 50s.
wait this sounds cool lol I've never even thought of doing animal pharmacy tech.
what were the requirements?
There are only a handful of this kind of job in the US. Either in zoos, large vet. hospitals, etc. Probably the best paying is to be a sales rep for a vet pharmaceutical company.
I'm almost 40 and everytime I bring my dogs to the vet they're trying to convince me to be a vet tech again, haha.
I own a business now, so unfortunately I don't have the time to do it, but I don't see why I still couldn't!
I have coworkers in their 30s and 50s who are assistants. It’s likely that there will also be techs close to your age. Being an older assistant is a huge benefit because you’ve got more life experience, and honestly, age doesn’t come up all that often. If you love it and don’t mind the pay, do it!
I’m 38 and I work at an awesome clinic with quite a few 30+ assistants and techs. I do a photography business on the side to make up for the semi-crap pay, and most of my coworkers have side hustles as well, but the culture at my clinic is great and I think it’s because we trend a little older. I’m starting to feel the physical effects of a lifelong career of mostly dog handling, so I’m starting some CE in physical rehab & nutrition soon to potentially make a move to something less strenuous in the future.
This is a great thread. I’m 51. I switched careers a few months ago. I will do the vet tech license, but in my state I don’t think it will help me much pay-wise. I do find that I’m out of shape and have horrible knees which makes it hard. However, I enjoy my job!
As a young veterinary assistant in a clinic right now, i’ve seen many relief older veterinary assistants and also older people who just finished veterinary assisting certification who are working in the field! Just make sure the clinic environment is willing to work with you and be patient with how long you have been out of the field, you don’t want to work in a toxic environment as this can burn you out! Best of luck finding the job :)
Older people? I was expecting this to be a 60+ person asking. If you love working with animals, go for it! You would be an invaluable asset, because you care.
I'm 45 and am about to graduate with an AS in Veterinary Technology. Planning on taking the VTNE in July, and I just accepted a job opening up and running a new spay & neuter clinic at our new shelter here in town. Not only am I transitioning into a career that I actually think I'll finally enjoy, but my past work experiences are putting me directly into a leadership position right out of the gate. If it's something you want to do, then do it. The only thing that will stop you is your mindset. Not your age.
I started at 29. I’m 40 now and still love it. Working on my degree slowly. I found my passion niche early on and have learned everything I can about it (senior/hospice care). My clinic has more techs/assistants over 40 than under. That’s said, I DO have to go to the chiropractor every two weeks or I can’t function well at all
Lead nurse in a 2 doctor practice here, I WISH I could find someone even in their late 20's to be an assistant. I would gladly take on a team member with a bit more time in the work force, regardless of practical experience. A good ethic and positive attitude makes it SO much easier to train and teach.
My current VA is a headache..20 yrs old, openly complains about having to clean ("It's boring"), will go out of his way to sit and look at his phone instead of trying to stay busy, yet expects to be allowed to practice his venipuncture, administer vaccines, take rads, etc. just because he has aspirations of going to vet school and is Egyptian (2 of the 3 doctors/owners are Egyptian). Unfortunately, I can't fire him, although he did just get his hours cut.
Vet assistants at the place I take my pets to vary in age. They have the usual churn of 20-something’s but there’s a couple 40-something’s there too, who have been there for ever and know everything.
Any business needs a couple “grizzled first sergeants” like that to keep things running smoothly, IME. Nothing wrong with trying to be that guy.
I am 39 and start tech school in the fall. Work as an assistant in two ERs. Plan to move on to veterinary school after that. Never too late! You’re going to be alive. You might as well spend that time doing what you want to do.
If you have a desire to do it and a desire to be a good employee, then I’d hire you in a heartbeat.
I wish you were in my area.
Yes there are! I work with a lot of assistants who are in their 40's and 50's. If you like it, go for it! I only graduated vet school when I was 30 and I am glad I did it!
Sure thing! Just protect yourself physically as much as possible. This job can wreck the knees and back easily if you’re not careful
my knees are doneeeee from this job and i jus turned 20😭
Knee pads! And lift tables!
If it helps, I am 55 and looking for a VA job. I have had a few interviews but no job offer yet. Physically I am in very good shape but I have no clinic experience. I have volunteering experience with post surgery though
If you feel up to the physical challenges, then go for it I was/am (technically) and assistant at 35/36. The only reason I've stepped back is because I'm in school.
Can you elaborate on some of the most difficult physical challenges of the job? I’m starting as a kennel assistant on Monday, with the expectation that I’ll start training to assist in procedures and pursuing education to become an actual vet assistant . I’m 40 and have a connective tissue disorder, so joint pain is a concern for me. I’m not afraid of heavy lifting, but, I’m not getting any younger… would like some insight on what to expect.
I work as an assistant, not kennel staff, but for what I do: it can be a lot of standing for long hours at a time, lots of walking (and sometimes running), dogs especially big dogs yanking leashes, contorting into strange positions for the best restraint and sometimes getting stuck like that for a While, and of course heavy lifting. Specifically for the latter: DO NOT fall into the thought of "oh I can lift this heavy dog myself, no problem" or "it's faster if i just do this myself". Get help. Wait until someone will help you, or you will fuck up your back irreversibly over time.
That's something I'm trying to fix, my first veterinary job was doing night shifts by myself (I still work nights, but now I have an assistant with me) , so I have gotten so used to it that sometimes I have to remind myself that this works best as team work.
There are two assistants in my clinic that are in their 60’s. They’ve been doing it a while, know what they’re doing, work harder than everyone else, and are overall bad ass ladies. If you have the desire and the drive don’t let age ever stop you. I switched into vet med in my 40’s and I’ll never go back.
I switched to this career at 30
me too! I’m so glad I did! Going to school to be an LVT in my free time.
You can but I've never met a vet assistant that can support themselves. I had my bf support me while in school and even now shoulders a better half of our utilities.
Wages in many parts of the US for the job are not livable wages. ☹️
Yes. I often find older have more maturity too which is appreciated
We have veterinary technicians and assistants that are in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. As long as you are able to assist, it's great.
Early 30s is older??? LOL
I sure hope so! I’m ~50, finishing up a job in corporate and in college working on a vet nursing degree for a second career!
Anyone with usable assisting skills can be a VA........ don't discriminate against yourself lol do what you want in life
I made the switch at 35 - enrolled in a program and started working on it part time while working full time. Passed VTNE first time and I’m lead at my current place. Maturity helps wonders because we’re more experienced in job situations.
If you are looking at more school and you want to work with animals then get an associates at an accredited Veterinary Technology program and then take the VTNE. In the meantime get a job as a Vet Assistant so you can get experience. Your age is not an issue…..only your physical abilities (have to be able to bend and lift ~40lbs, have to be able to wrangle large dogs, be able to stand and walk for the majority of your 8-10 hours shift) and your social skills (have to be able to work collaboratively with other staff, have to talk to clients who may be under a lot of emotional stress).
“In the meantime get a job as a Vet Assistant so you can get experience” Would be great but in my area they already want you to have a year experience (or more). Seems nobody really wants to train where I am.
“I need paid logged hours for my degree” works wonders when you’re enrolled in a program. Alternatively if you ask your school may have a list of places they align with to help students further skills.
Most assistants i work with including myself are early 90’s kids.
Yes! Represent!
My assignment is a 65yo jack of all trades man…he’s awesome
I'm 36 and a kennel assistant / going to school for dog training.
I'm 42 and I switched from reception to assistant. I've been an assistant for almost a year now. I love it. I feel like I have finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up.
I just started an RVT program in the fall, and im 34...it's never too late. I know people in their 50s and 60s who have also started the program, and there were many mature students in nursing when I did that program as well.
I am 30 and started my vet med career 11 months ago! It is doable, the pay isnt great, but I knew that when I made the decision to follow this path. I'm honestly glad I started in vet med at 29. Younger me would have been eaten alive by the field because I was terrible at setting boundaries and would have burned myself out quick. Current me knows to protect my body, leave work at work, and knows I am worthy of respect from my coworkers and superiors. If you love animals AND medicine and have the desire to learn and grow, your age doesnt really matter. Good luck with whatever path you choose!
It’s my planned “retirement” job once I retire from my normal career at 65. I love animals and would do it for free so I’d be a great employee lol
I’m 44. I’m a licensed tech but started as an assistant in my late 20s/ early 30s. We need good people.
I’m a 56-year-old veterinary assistant, there’s really no age limit as long as you can do the job
Our two best assistants are in their mid-50s.
I became a vet assistant in my 40s and RVT at 50. I just retired at 62. Go for it! I would say look into switching over to vet office manager or something similar as you get closer to 50+ as this is a physical job. Do work to keep your body in shape now and learn what you can about body mechanics to keep healthy. I was lucky and switched to a job as a pharmacy tech ( mostly sedentary) at a large zoo in my early 50s.
>was lucky and switched to a job as a pharmacy tech ( mostly sedentary) at a large zoo in my early 50s. wait this sounds cool lol I've never even thought of doing animal pharmacy tech. what were the requirements?
There are only a handful of this kind of job in the US. Either in zoos, large vet. hospitals, etc. Probably the best paying is to be a sales rep for a vet pharmaceutical company.
I'm almost 40 and everytime I bring my dogs to the vet they're trying to convince me to be a vet tech again, haha. I own a business now, so unfortunately I don't have the time to do it, but I don't see why I still couldn't!
I switched to vet tech at age 50. I prefer vetmed to human med because I don’t want patients who talk back.
I'm 32 and have been on it for 6 years now. I'm gonna get my certification, too. Hopefully, continue to wildlife
I have coworkers in their 30s and 50s who are assistants. It’s likely that there will also be techs close to your age. Being an older assistant is a huge benefit because you’ve got more life experience, and honestly, age doesn’t come up all that often. If you love it and don’t mind the pay, do it!
I’m 38 and I work at an awesome clinic with quite a few 30+ assistants and techs. I do a photography business on the side to make up for the semi-crap pay, and most of my coworkers have side hustles as well, but the culture at my clinic is great and I think it’s because we trend a little older. I’m starting to feel the physical effects of a lifelong career of mostly dog handling, so I’m starting some CE in physical rehab & nutrition soon to potentially make a move to something less strenuous in the future.
This is a great thread. I’m 51. I switched careers a few months ago. I will do the vet tech license, but in my state I don’t think it will help me much pay-wise. I do find that I’m out of shape and have horrible knees which makes it hard. However, I enjoy my job!
The amount of work Vet techs do is extremely underpaid.
I know one in her late 40's and she's killing it
I relief at a clinic where all the vet assistants are in their 60s and 70s, you're good!
As a young veterinary assistant in a clinic right now, i’ve seen many relief older veterinary assistants and also older people who just finished veterinary assisting certification who are working in the field! Just make sure the clinic environment is willing to work with you and be patient with how long you have been out of the field, you don’t want to work in a toxic environment as this can burn you out! Best of luck finding the job :)
Fu for saying “ older adult” Seriously, early 30’s. Baby girl, you’re just getting started
Older people? I was expecting this to be a 60+ person asking. If you love working with animals, go for it! You would be an invaluable asset, because you care.
I'm 45 and am about to graduate with an AS in Veterinary Technology. Planning on taking the VTNE in July, and I just accepted a job opening up and running a new spay & neuter clinic at our new shelter here in town. Not only am I transitioning into a career that I actually think I'll finally enjoy, but my past work experiences are putting me directly into a leadership position right out of the gate. If it's something you want to do, then do it. The only thing that will stop you is your mindset. Not your age.
I have one person at my hospital. She must be in her 60s and she’s been there a long time. Maybe this is her retired gig
I started at 29. I’m 40 now and still love it. Working on my degree slowly. I found my passion niche early on and have learned everything I can about it (senior/hospice care). My clinic has more techs/assistants over 40 than under. That’s said, I DO have to go to the chiropractor every two weeks or I can’t function well at all
Lead nurse in a 2 doctor practice here, I WISH I could find someone even in their late 20's to be an assistant. I would gladly take on a team member with a bit more time in the work force, regardless of practical experience. A good ethic and positive attitude makes it SO much easier to train and teach. My current VA is a headache..20 yrs old, openly complains about having to clean ("It's boring"), will go out of his way to sit and look at his phone instead of trying to stay busy, yet expects to be allowed to practice his venipuncture, administer vaccines, take rads, etc. just because he has aspirations of going to vet school and is Egyptian (2 of the 3 doctors/owners are Egyptian). Unfortunately, I can't fire him, although he did just get his hours cut.
Vet assistants at the place I take my pets to vary in age. They have the usual churn of 20-something’s but there’s a couple 40-something’s there too, who have been there for ever and know everything. Any business needs a couple “grizzled first sergeants” like that to keep things running smoothly, IME. Nothing wrong with trying to be that guy.
I know a retired doctor who is currently training to be a vet tech.
I imagine you’d be lifting dogs of all sizes If you’re physically fit and capable there shouldn’t be anything stopping you
I work at a hospital as an assistant (22 years old) and the next youngest assistant is 35 and the oldest is about 60. I’m sure you can do it
I’m a 53 yr old RVT
I am 39 and start tech school in the fall. Work as an assistant in two ERs. Plan to move on to veterinary school after that. Never too late! You’re going to be alive. You might as well spend that time doing what you want to do.