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The Supported Path to Become an Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA).

Whether you're just starting your career or looking to elevate your skills, the IGNITE Veterinary Assistant Program (IVAP) delivers a flexible, modern, career-focused path with unmatched support and expertise.

  • NAVTA-Approved Curriculum
  • Self-Paced Online Learning
  • Fear Free®​ Certification Included
  • Program Director is None Other Than Jim Hurrell, DVM
  • Soft Skills & Professional Development
  • High-Tech, High-Touch Support
  • Prepares You for the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) Exam
  • Optional Large-Animal Training Included
  • Bonus Certifications and RACE CE Available - At No Additional Cost
Buy Now! $999.00 Request Info

What You Will Learn

  • Master Veterinary Clinical and Administrative Procedures

    Gain a comprehensive understanding of clinic operations, including patient intake, medical records, history taking, pharmacy and inventory protocols, surgical prep, and exam room procedures.

  • Develop Proficiency in Animal Handling, Behavior, and Care

    Learn safe and effective techniques for restraint, behavior assessment, and care of small animals, exotics, and birds, including triage, nutrition, oral health, and basic nursing skills, along with safe handling of cattle, horses, goats, and chickens.

  • Communicate Effectively and Ethically in Veterinary Settings

    Build strong client communication skills, understand empathy, demonstrate professionalism and etiquette, understand the human-animal bond, and apply veterinary ethics in daily practice.

  • Perform Diagnostic, Laboratory, and Emergency Procedures with Confidence

    Acquire hands-on skills in sample collection, parasitology, radiology, emergency care, and infection control following OSHA standards and safety protocols.

  • Prepare for Real-World Success and Career Longevity

    Cultivate job-readiness through resume preparation, compassion fatigue management, understanding pet insurance, and completing practical and written final exams.

The Approved Veterinary Assistant designation is a nationally recognized designation created by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America.

Upon graduation from a NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant program, a participant is eligible to sit for the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) examination. Veterinary assistants who successfully complete the exam receive a documentation certificate and are entitled to use the designation AVA (Approved Veterinary Assistant).

For more information, visit the NAVTA website
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Elevate Your Veterinary Team & Client Trust

Graduates Are Job Ready & Adaptable to Real-World Scenarios

High Value Learning That Builds Careers

Daily Office Hours with Jim Hurrell, DVM:

IVAP Program Director and Instructor: Jim Hurrell, DVM — Trusted Expertise with High-Touch Support

✔ Ask questions in real time and get clear, practical answers
✔ Receive expert guidance on both course material and real-world veterinary challenges
✔ Learn from the community by exploring Dr. Jim’s responses to other students’ questions
✔ Connect and collaborate with fellow students to grow your professional network
Jim Hurrell, DVM is more than an instructor — he’s your teacher and champion, showing up every week with the expertise, encouragement, and insight you need to excel at every stage of your journey.

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Guided by Decades of Veterinary Expertise

We’ve got your back with multiple ways to get support.

Live Support, Every Step Of The Way

✔ Live chat with our Student Success Team
✔ Direct access to Jim Hurrell, DVM inside the student community
✔ Quick, dependable support whenever you need it

A Private Student Community You Can Trust


✔ Share your progress and celebrate wins
✔ Ask questions and receive daily responses from Jim Hurrell, DVM
✔ Connect with peers for support and collaboration
✔ Find encouragement and inspiration whenever you need it
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Connect with peers for support and collaboration

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Two Extra Certifications & RACE® CE — Expand Your Skills

Fear Free® Certification
Fear Free® Certification

Included at no extra cost, this nationally recognized credential helps you provide more compassionate care by reducing fear, anxiety, and stress and creating an experience that is more enjoyable and safer for all involved, including your patients, clients, and team.

Included in IVAP Curriculum & Required for Graduation.

Large Animal Module
Large Animal Module

Included at no extra cost, builds skills in safe handling, species-specific anatomy, and preventive care for equine and livestock patients. You’ll also learn common medical procedures, fieldwork best practices, and how to spot signs of illness or distress in large animals.

Included in IVAP Curriculum & Optional for Graduation.

CareCredit® Finance Certification
CareCredit® Finance Certification

Included at no extra cost, this certification equips you with proven, compliant strategies to confidently discuss financing, integrate it into care recommendations, handle objections, and streamline enrollment—helping more clients move forward with care.

Not Included in IVAP Curriculum & Not Required for Graduation.

Veterinary Assistant Externship Experience

  • Total Externship Hours Needed

    IVAP requires a 100-hour externship at a veterinary practice.

  • IVAP Mentor

    Submit completed Essential Skills Checklists signed by your Mentor.

  • Don't Have An Externship Site?

    We will help with placement through our extensive network of practices.

The NAVTA Recommended-Textbook for Veterinary Assistants

This resource enhances comprehension, boosts exam readiness, and strengthens real-world application

  • Official NAVTA Approved Textbook
  • Boost Exam Success
  • Written by Industry Experts
  • Focused & Practical Content
  • Prepare for your Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) exam with confidence and success.
  • REQUIREMENT: To start, you will need to purchase the "Textbook for the Veterinary Assistant, 2nd Edition" by Kara M. Burns (Author), Lori Renda-Francis (Author) - Prices range from $60 to $80.
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Curriculum

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Sticky Learning by Design:

So You Remember It, Apply It, and Grow

  • Retention-Focused Learning: Designed to help students retain knowledge long-term. Emphasizes applying learning in real-world scenarios. Builds adaptability and confidence in clinical situations.

  • Hands-On Clinical Application: Externship experiences provide real-world practice. Skills checklists ensure learning by doing. Tasks mirror daily responsibilities in the clinic.

  • Interactive Digital Tools: Topic-centered digital worksheets simulate real-life scenarios. Connect emotional intelligence with clinical thinking. Reinforce the link between theory and practice.

  • Flexible, Self-Paced Schedule: Complete the program in under 6 months. Recommended pace: 2–3 hours of digital learning per week. Learning is supplemented by on-site externship hours.

  • High-Touch Support Every Step of the Way: One-on-one guidance from the IGNITE support team. Access to a private, supportive IVAP student community. Technical help is available anytime you need it. You’re never alone—we’re with you from day one through graduation.

Veterinary professionals share how IVAP helped them strengthen clinical skills, boost confidence, and make a real difference in their clinics.

“Skills development is crucial because they can jump in and help the technician gather materials for diagnostics or other tasks to aid the DVM in their cases, and get an answer faster for the client.”

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- Emily Hinojosa, Licensed Veterinary Technician

“The more we take off the DVM plate to see more clients, the more we can build the business that way. DVMs don’t need to be running labs; they need to be creating bonds with the clients.”

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- Megan Hutchens, Practice Manager

“Retention is the most important to me as a veterinarian and business owner. If we can keep people engaged, they will have a higher level of professional satisfaction, and we get better patient/customer service.”

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- Seth Solomon, DVM & Practice Owner

NAVTA APPROVED!

Boost Skills, Build Confidence, Drive Success!

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Not One More Vet (NOMV) nomv.org

$999.00

BUY NOW! Request Info

REQUIREMENT: To start, you will need to purchase the "Textbook for the Veterinary Assistant, 2nd Edition" by Kara M. Burns (Author), Lori Renda-Francis (Author) - Prices range from $60 to $80.

  • Accredited
  • Online
  • Self-Paced
  • Modern Curriculum
  • Trusted Expertise
  • Reliable Support
Frequently Asked Questions
New veterinary assistants looking for foundational training. Experienced assistants seeking formal credentialing and skill validation. Employers wanting to upskill staff and build consistent clinic protocols.
Module 1: Office & Hospital Procedures. Module 2: Client Communication & Ethics. Module 3: Animal Behavior & Restraint. Module 4: Pharmacy & Pharmacology. Module 5: Exam Room Procedures. Module 6: Small Animal Nursing. Module 7: Lab Procedures & Imaging. Module 8: Surgical Assisting. Module 9: Career Readiness & Practical Demonstration. Final Exam Module: Timed comprehensive exam + externship hour verification. Fear Free Module: Course & certification upload.
No. If you are not currently employed at a veterinary practice, IGNITE will help place you with an externship site. A request form exists within the program.
NAVTA-approved with the only integrated official textbook. Flexible online access + built-in externship assistance. Nationally recognized Fear Free Certification. High-engagement content and real-time instructor access. Independent Advisory Board with credentialed professionals guiding curriculum.
  • IGNITE submits your completion to NAVTA
  • You’ll receive a personal registration code
  • You must register within 30 days of receiving the code
  • You’ll have 1 year from registration to pass the exam
  • Learn more: NAVTA Exam Info
    • No. The ~$100 exam fee is paid directly to NAVTA upon registration.
    Yes. VetMedTeam facilitates the renewal process. Any renewal questions should be directed to VetMedTeam: [email protected] VetMedTeam emails courtesy reminders to all AVAs as their expiration date nears. Please ensure your VetMedTeam member profile is current with an active email address. To renew your AVA designation, you must complete at least 10 hours of Veterinary Continuing Education. NAVTA does not permit extensions beyond the final expiration date. Individuals wishing to renew after the expiration date will be required to pay an increased fee and may be required to retake the AVA examination. Learn more: NAVTA AVA Page
    Even with years of experience, IVAP provides structured training aligned with NAVTA standards. It ensures consistency, fills in knowledge gaps, and strengthens clinical confidence. Completing the program can elevate your role, help you qualify for advancement, and enhance the level of care you provide.
    50 hours of online coursework. 100 hours of hands-on externship. Students have 1 year (365 days) to complete the program. Estimated time: 2–3 hours per week to graduate in 5 months. Students have up to 1 year (365 days) to complete the program.
    Attend virtual office hours with Dr. Jim Ask questions in the student community. Use the IGNITE chat bubble for tech or account help.
    No. You must complete all modules and receive your IVAP certificate first. Then IGNITE will submit your graduation status to NAVTA. Once confirmed, you'll receive a registration code.
    Students have 2 attempts to pass the AVA exam. Further attempts may require re-enrollment.
    No official prep course exists, but IVAP includes summaries and integrated textbook content to fully prepare students.