Student Success & The Northern Experience
Our Animal Grooming program gives you hands-on experience and opportunities to work with live animals to practice your grooming skills. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, you’ll gain a solid base of technical skills and knowledge in animal grooming.
This program may be taken concurrently with our one-year Veterinary Assistant certificate program.
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Course Information
2024-2025 Academic Year
Semester 1
This course will educate students on how to handle and care for various companion animals, both large and small. This course will also prepare the student to work proficiently in a grooming facility. The student will learn and practise proper bathing procedures. The student will also be able to recognize and care for skin and coat conditions and will learn proper ear and nail care. They will also learn how to communicate effectively with their clients.
42 Hours
This course will deal with how to groom various companion animals, both large and small. The course will go into detail on how to handle a cat during the grooming process as well as why cats are groomed. Styles such as the lion cut will be taught, nail trimming, ear cleaning and bathing procedures. This course will also prepare the student to function properly in a grooming facility. All areas of care will be discussed and practiced; these will include bathing, nail trimming, scissor cuts and conditioning of the coat.
84 Hours
The course is designed to help students gain insights and skills to promote personal and professional development. Students will develop an understanding of how they manage their lives and incorporate skills to maximize their strengths and reduce the impact of less effective techniques. Students will learn about resources that are available to them and the intelligence of accessing additional support when needed. The content of this course provides students with the opportunity to lay a foundation for lifelong learning; learn to communicate effectively, build and value productive and satisfying diverse relationships and prepare for the challenges and rewards that make life meaningful.
42 Hours
Animal care providers often handle animals with behaviour problems. They must know what advice to give and when to refer the problem to the veterinarian. The technician/assistant/groomer must also know the procedure involved in referral to a behavioural specialist and/or an obedience trainer.
14 Hours
This one semester course is designed for the Animal Grooming, Veterinary Assistant, Veterinary Technician and the Veterinary Technology programs. The course is designed to look at their role in the daily operation of a veterinary practice. The course will include sections on customer service, telephone skills, and welcoming skills, confrontation and conflict resolution. The course will assist students in becoming more comfortable assisting clients through the grief cycle. There will be a component on Client Communication utilizing both oral and written communication in the veterinary practice. This course will have a self-directed on line grammar component. This course will enable the students to practice the skills required for effective work in client relations.
42 Hours
This course will outline the fundamentals of animal restraint and the factors that influence behaviour. Handling, restraining, feeding, and analyzing of cats, dogs and lab animals will be emphasized. Proper forms of animal approach, handling, restraint, and release will be demonstrated and practiced by the student. All classes will start with a lecture and/or demonstration on how to perform the procedure, followed by a lab of applying that knowledge.
28 Hours
This course will prepare the student to function in a veterinary environment. Students will provide care for the colony animals housed at Northern College. The use of Standard Operating Procedures will assist the student. The Veterinary Science facility simulates the professional environment and enables the students to learn the skills necessary to function as a productive team member.
14 Hours
Semester 2
This course will help the students to prepare for their testing towards their Master Stylist Certfification. Three groups of dogs will be covered, including the Sporting, Non-Sporting and the Terrier group. They will learn how to identify each dog from the assigned group as well as learn the characteristics of each and their grooming requirements. A total of 89 breeds will be covered.
This 2 hour/week grooming theory course prepares you for the finer points you’ll need to know about sporting, non-sporting and terrier dog breeds and their related styling requirements so you can earn two certifications through the industry-recognized Canadian Professional Pet Stylists:
1) Canadian Canine Bather Technician (CCBT1) – a Certified Bather/Dryer.
2) Canadian Canine Bather Double Coated Technician (CCBDCT1) – a Certified Bather/Dryer.
There will be an opportunity in the final week of April (after the other courses in the grooming program are completed) to write your theory exams and do the practical skill grooming exams for CCBT1 and CCBDCT1 credentials.
28 Hours
This course will deal with how to groom various companion animals, both large and small. The course will go into detail on how to handle a cat during the grooming process as well as why cats are groomed. Styles such as the lion cut will be taught, nail trimming, ear cleaning and bathing procedures. This course will also prepare the student to function properly in a grooming facility, and how to interact with customers. All areas of care will be discussed and practiced; these will include bathing, nail trimming, scissor cuts and conditioning of the coat. The care of the equipment will also be discussed as well as products on the market.
70 Hours
This course will introduce students to the fundamental approach to starting and managing a small business in Canada. An examination of what is necessary to start a small business will encompass strategic areas such as goal setting, organizational set-up, financial planning, accounting, marketing, human resources and legal issues.
42 Hours
Improving your knowledge and understanding of the history of the Indigenous peoples of what we now call Canada is an important step to enable Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, organizations, and communities to work together more respectfully. Throughout this course you will have the opportunity to learn, discuss and reflect about many topics that are relevant in the learning journey towards reconciliation.
42 Hours
This course covers the basic concepts of nutrition and provides students with sufficient understanding to advise clients on the nutritional needs of large and small animals at various life stages. While the major focus of the course if on feeding the healthy animal, the dietary needs of dogs and cats with specific organ diseases are also covered. Students are introduced to common dietary toxicities and deficiencies encountered in small animal companion medicine.
28 Hours
This course will outline the fundamentals of basic animal procedures that may occur in a small animal clinic setting. Handling and restraining will be emphasized during basic procedures such as; bandaging, emergency triage, proper sample collection and handling, equipment uses during emergency situations. All classes will start with a lecture and/or demonstration on how to perform the procedure, followed by a lab of applying that knowledge.
28 Hours
This course will encompass all aspects of grooming procedures for the companion animal. It will prepare the student to recognise and care for various skin disorders. All areas of concern will be discussed and practised in providing a safe environment for the groomer, workplace and the companion animal.
42 Hours
This course will prepare the student to function in a veterinary environment. Students will provide care for the colony animals housed at Northern College. The use of Standard Operating Procedures will assist the student. The Veterinary Science facility simulates the professional environment and enables the students to learn the skills necessary to function as a productive team member.
14 Hours
The purpose of this course is to develop the skills necessary to effectively use computer programs specific to the veterinary environment. This course will give the student practical skills on specialized veterinary software packages such as AVImark and Impromed. Students will be able to set up files for new clients and/or new patients. They will know how to bill for services and products, print appropriate certificates as well as prescription labels. Accepting payments will be practiced.
28 Hours
Career Ready Graduates
Articulation Agreements
A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Please contact the program coordinator for specific details if you are interested in pursuing such an option.
Canadian Field of Study/CIP Code List
CIP Code: 01.0504
International students: check the Canadian Field of Study/CIP Code List to see if your program is eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Career Opportunities
Graduates may find employment in a number of settings such as veterinary clinics, veterinary hospitals, pet grooming centres, pet stores. Graduates may also start their own business.
- Animal groomer
- Own your own Pet Grooming business
- Employed by animal hospitals and clinics, retail pet shops, and pet grooming establishments
Explore labour market information for related careers and employment trend data from the Government of Canada Job Bank.
- Provide for animals’ basic needs.
- Restrain and manage cats and dogs in clinical situations.
- Administer medications by common drug routes under the supervision of a veterinarian.
- Administer and monitor the use of common chemical restraining agents.
- Collect samples for diagnostic laboratory work.
- Counsel clients in animal care.
- Perform basic bookkeeping functions.
- Perform receptionist duties.
Graduate with a Double Certificate
This program may be taken concurrently with the Veterinary Assistant program. The student would then graduate with a double certificate. Please contact the Program Assistant at 705-672-3376 ext. 8854 or at vetsciences@northern.on.ca for more information.
Important Information for Graduates
A limited number of spots are available in our Veterinary Technician/Technology program for graduates of Northern College’s Veterinary Assistant or Animal Grooming programs.
Graduates of those programs that wish to apply to the Veterinary Technician program must have – in addition to the usual requirements for direct entry from high school – a 75 percent minimum average (3.0 GPA) upon graduation from Veterinary Assistant or Animal Grooming programs. Applicants will be assessed according to highest academic achievement in their program.
Please contact the Program Assistant at 705-672-3376 ext. 8854 or at vetsciences@northern.on.ca for more information.
Our Veterinary Technician program is accredited by:
Admissions Information & Requirements
Admission Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent
- Grade 12 English (C, U, or E) or equivalent
- Proficiency in word processing recommended
Academic prerequisites for this program may be obtained free of charge through Academic Upgrading.
Applicants who do not have a high school diploma or equivalent and will have reached the age of 19 years on or before the start of the program must undergo academic testing and may be required to complete Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) process to demonstrate equivalency of admission requirements prior to admission into a program.
For more details, please contact the Admissions Office at 705-235-7222 or admissions@northern.on.ca.
Additional Requirements for International Students
In addition to the admission requirements, international students must have proof of English Proficiency and meet the requirements below.
1. Proof of Senior High School Diploma/Certificate.
2. English Proficiency (we will require one of the following):
- IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System: minimum overall score of 6.0 must be achieved with no individual band score under 6.0; however, we will accept one band at 5.5.
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – Internet Based Test (iBT) overall minimum score of 79.
- PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic – Graduate Diploma: 58+.
If your country of citizenship has English as its official language, we may accept alternate proof of English Proficiency.
All educational documents must be submitted in English and will be dependent on the country of citizenship.
For more information, please contact admissions@northern.on.ca.
Program Specific Requirements & Additional Information
Rabies vaccine series or titre prior to start of program (at student’s expense). The rabies vaccinations/titre should be started in May or June, and proof is due by August 1.
Students are expected to provide a basic grooming kit.
Tuition, Fees & Payments
The tuition and fees information is typically updated yearly for the upcoming Academic Year in May. The amounts are for the full academic year.
Amounts may be based on last years tuition and fees and are subject to change.
If you are a current student, please refer to your Student Account or see a Student Services Clerk for the most up-to-date information.
Tuition
Domestic: $2,720.56
International: $14,813.46
Program Specific Fees
Learning Software & Model Dogs: $126Ancillary Fees
Ancillary fees are paid in full for the entire academic year in the first semester.
The Convocation and Official Documentation Fee (GRA) of $100.00 only applies for the first year of each program.
Please see Detailed Ancillary Fees for more information.
| Ancillary Fees by Campus | Domestic | International |
| Haileybury (HL) | $976.50 | $1,589.00 |
Find Your True North.
At Northern College, you’re a part of a community.
From your teachers to support staff and administrators, we are all here to help you get an education and make some lasting connections along the way.
Your success is incredibly important to you, so we provide student supports to help you achieve your goals. From study assistance and accessibility services to mental health supports and financial aid, we’ve got you covered.
Each of Northern’s campuses boasts exercise facilities, a gym, cafeteria, study areas and a library – places that you can go to help keep you focused as you work your way through your studies. The communities we call home are incredible places, filled with amazing people and things to do.
Does Northern College sound like a good fit for you?
Here’s how to take your first steps on your new exciting and rewarding career path.