Will AI replace Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?

AI can do 15% of the work Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 1 of their 28 tasks, while 3 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 8 physical tasks. 16 still need a person.

AI is already doing this1 · 3% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Write reports, maintain research information, or perform clerical duties.Mostly automated3% of time

AI could do this next3 · 12% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Perform office reception duties, such as scheduling appointments or helping customers.7% of time
  • Record information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, or breeding.3% of time
  • Educate or advise clients on animal health care, nutrition, or behavior problems.3% of time

Robots can technically do this8 · 39% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.Robots: purpose built settings15% of time
  • Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments or equipment.Robots: purpose built settings6% of time
  • Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Fill medication prescriptions.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Prepare surgical equipment and pass instruments or materials to veterinarians during surgical procedures.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Prepare feed for animals according to specific instructions, such as diet lists or schedules.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Exercise animals or provide them with companionship.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Prepare examination or treatment rooms by stocking them with appropriate supplies.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time

Still needs a person16 · 46% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.10% of time
  • Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.7% of time
  • Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.4% of time
  • Administer medication, immunizations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.4% of time
  • Collect laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, for testing.3% of time
  • Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.3% of time
  • Perform hygiene-related duties, such as clipping animals' claws or cleaning and polishing teeth.3% of time
  • Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.1% of time
  • Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.1% of time
  • Perform enemas, catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.1% of time
  • Provide assistance with euthanasia of animals or disposal of corpses.1% of time
  • Dust, spray, or bathe animals to control insect pests.1% of time
  • Perform accounting duties, such as bookkeeping, billing customers for services, or maintaining inventories.1% of time
  • Sell pet food or supplies to customers.1% of time
  • Groom, trim, or clip animals' coats.1% of time
  • Place orders to restock inventory of hospital or laboratory supplies.1% of time

Your week is not the average

Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.

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What this means

AI can speed up parts of this job, mostly the paperwork and information work around it. The core still depends on hands, presence or relationships. Robots are the other change to watch: they can technically do 39% of the working time.

What to do next

  • Do the 1 task AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 3 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 8 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 16 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Dental Assistants21%Medical Assistants27%Medical Equipment Preparers3%Medical Transcriptionists75%Pharmacy Aides16%Phlebotomists12%

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