Kickstart your career caring for animals. This one-year Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assistance (Level 4) programme equips you with the skills and knowledge to flourish as a veterinary assistant. Working alongside vets and nurses, you'll gain hands-on experience in a clinical setting while learning essential skills like animal communication, handling, and hygiene. This programme is perfect for anyone passionate about animal welfare and eager to join a supportive veterinary team.
One year full-time
2025 Semester 1: 17 February to 21 November
This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.
International Fees can be found here.
This programme aims to develop your technical knowledge and skills to assist Veterinary Nurses and Veterinarians in a veterinary setting.
The programme is aimed at learners who have an interest in working with animals and clients, as part of an interprofessional team to improve animal health and welfare outcomes.
ANML4301 Rural Animal Professionalism and Infection Control
The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to work in a professional, safe, and effective manner in a rural animal and animal healthcare environment.
ANML4302 Rural Animal Anatomy and Physiology
The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to basic anatomy and physiology to support rural animal patient care.
ANML4303 Rural Animal Husbandry and Behaviour
The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to provide safe and appropriate husbandry and handling to support rural animal health and welfare.
ANML4304 Rural Animal Practicum 1
Practicum will take place in a suitable animal healthcare environment that enables a balance of application of theoretical knowledge and practical skills acquisition required for the strand. The total requirement of 240 hours of practicum during this programme (inclusive of 80hrs in a veterinary clinic) will be distributed among strand specific practicum courses.
Ākonga will be advised of each practicum course requirements prior to the start of the course.
ANML4305 Rural Animal Health and Hygiene
The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to assist in the provision of rural animal healthcare.
ANML4306 Rural Animal Clinical Assistance
The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to provide clinical assistance in all aspects of the animal healthcare environment.
ANML4307 Rural Animal Preparation for Practice
The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for effective a clinical practice and first aid.
ANML4308 Rural Animal Practicum 2
Career and Study Outcomes
Upon completing this programme, you can assist veterinarians and nurses in a companion animal practice or continue your studies with the two-year New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing Level 6. In addition, graduates will be eligible to apply for registration on the New Zealand Register of Animal Healthcare Assistants.
Entry requirements:
This programme is made up of 2 Semesters over 1 year.On campus delivery with access to online course resources related to animal health education, allow for an efficient integrated approach to learning and assessment.Clinical activities in our simulated zoo rooms and local industry, help ensure theory knowledge is supported by practical skills.
The programme requires 240 hours of placement. This is equivalent to around one day per week. 80 hours of this must be in a veterinary clinic setting, the other 160 hours can be completed at other animal facilities. You will need to get experience with cats and dogs, and either rabbits or birds.The teaching team will provide more details on all work placement requirements at the start of course.
On successful completion of the programme, you can study our two- year New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing to widen your career opportunities.