What is the difference between a veterinary technician and veterinary assistant?
In equine medicine the terms assistant and technician are often used interchangeably.  The term "technician" refers to an individual who graduated from a veterinary technology school.  The term “assistant” refers to an individual who has been educated on the job, rather than at a school for veterinary technology.

A veterinary technician is similar to a registered nurse for animals.  A technician provides assistance to veterinarians in primary animal care, in radiology, anesthesia, nursing, and laboratory. A technician is a person who has completed a two-year program of study and obtained an Associate in Science Degree.

The Veterinary Assistant may have training through a high school, a college certificate program, or through a distance learning program over the Internet. Most however are trained on the job by the veterinarian or the veterinary technician.

The difference between the equine veterinary technician and assistant is not as great as in small animal medicine.  The equine technician and assistant must always have basic horse handling skills which is are not usually taught in school.