After years working in retail management, Nicole Smith decided to turn her love of animals into a career in veterinary care. In 2026, she completed the City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants and has since been promoted to Veterinary Care Assistant.
Here, Nicole shares what inspired her career change, her experience of studying at The College of Animal Welfare and her plans for the future…
What made you want to become a Veterinary Care Assistant?
I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I had hamsters, rabbits, dogs, a chinchilla and rats, all at different stages of my childhood. At secondary school, my form room was in the animal studies and care room, which was home to snakes, geckos and bearded dragons. I was also lucky enough to go to a school with its own farm, where we had chickens, pygmy goats, sheep and even alpacas. Honestly, there wasn’t an animal I wasn’t fond of, I adored them all!
Even though animals were always a big part of my life, my career took me in a different direction and I spent many years working in retail management. I loved animals, but I didn’t initially think about turning that passion into a job. That changed when I started talking with a close friend who was a student veterinary nurse. I remember feeling envious when she described her work. No two days sounded the same, and it was clear how much she loved what she did and how rewarding it was. She encouraged me to volunteer at a veterinary practice, where I spent two weeks shadowing the veterinary care assistants and veterinary nurses. By the end of it, I knew that a career in veterinary care was right for me.
Not long afterwards, I got a job as a client care advisor at a veterinary practice, hoping to build my experience and eventually become a veterinary care assistant. Seven months after I started working in veterinary care, my practice manager encouraged me to enrol on the City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants at The College of Animal Welfare. I was excited to take the next step towards the career I’d always hoped to have.
What did you gain from your veterinary care course?
Better support for families through euthanasia:
When euthanasia is unavoidable, being able to support an animal and their family through such a difficult time has shown me how important the Veterinary Care Assistant role can be. The knowledge I gained has helped me feel more confident in real-life situations working in my practice. Being trusted to support families during such a personal and emotional moment is one of the most humbling parts of my work.
Building trust with clients:
I’ve found it especially touching when clients I’ve built a strong relationship with ask me to be there during their appointments. Knowing they trust me to support them, as well as their pets, is something I really value.
First aid and emergencies:
The course has also sparked my interest in first aid and in how the team responds when an emergency patient arrives at the practice. Learning more about how to help in these situations has shown me the importance of staying calm, acting quickly and supporting the patient and working alongside the veterinary team.
Flexible learning while working:
I continued working full time while completing the course, so being able to study remotely was really helpful. If I couldn’t attend a live virtual classroom session, I could catch up after work at home. When I was able to join live, I could interact with other students and ask questions as the lesson went along. This flexibility helped me easily fit the course around my job, as well as helped me improve my capabilities in work.
Helpful learning resources:
The resources available through the college website were incredibly useful, especially when completing written assessments and case studies. They provided detailed information on all the topics I was assigned and helped me build my understanding and apply what I’d learned to my daily role.
Support from my tutor:
My tutor was amazing. I’m so grateful for all the support she gave me throughout the course. During our Zoom catch ups, she took the time to explain each assignment thoroughly, making sure I felt confident before getting started. She always encouraged me to get in touch if I had questions or needed help with a topic. Whenever I felt unsure, she was incredibly patient and gave me the time and guidance I needed. She was encouraging from the very first day of the course to the last, and I’m truly thankful for everything she did.
What are your plans for the future?
Since completing my course, I’ve been promoted to Veterinary Care Assistant, an achievement I’m really proud of. I had initially planned to enrol straight away as a student veterinary nurse, but I’m thoroughly enjoying my VCA role.
For now, I’d like to build on my experience and continue developing in the position. My next goal is to enrol at The College of Animal Welfare on the City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Assisting Veterinary Surgeons in the Monitoring of Animals under Anaesthesia or Sedation. I’d also like to continue supporting patients and their families through euthanasia, as this is an important and meaningful part of my role.
What advice would you give to people considering a career in veterinary care?
If I could offer advice to anyone considering becoming a veterinary care assistant, it would be to spend some time in a veterinary practice if you can, perhaps by volunteering or shadowing. It’s a great way to understand what the role involves and decide whether it feels right for you. Being a Veterinary Care Assistant is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be emotionally demanding, so it’s important to be prepared for both the joyful moments as well as the difficult ones.
Be willing to learn, ask questions, and make the most of the support around you. The team will support you as you build your experience and confidence, and you’ll learn from one another along the way.
Are you interested in training as a Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA)? Find out how here…