New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management - Companion Animals

Working with companion animals is a rewarding and fun field with many diverse jobs and career paths.
This programme explores the basics of animal anatomy, welfare, behaviour, and husbandry, as well as more advanced topics such as nutrition, care during illness or injury, including the safe use of medications, facility planning, behavioural training and enrichment.
You'll learn to recognise the signs of good and poor health in a range of companion animals - dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, and birds - and understand how to best manage the care and welfare of these animals in various environments.
You'll delve into the social, ethical, and environmental issues affecting animal management in New Zealand. Work-integrated learning will help you communicate effectively in a team and apply basic business and customer service skills in the workplace.

• Learn in lots of different ways. This programme is a mix of online learning, off-campus practical training, and compulsory block courses at our Mt Albert campus.
• Practical, applied learning and work experience include hours of on-site practical training at Unitec's Behaviour and Husbandry Centre, Te Puna Kararehe, and at least one other work placement at least one other animal management facility of your choice.
• A passionate teaching team. Learn from experienced lecturers who are experts in the fields of animal behaviour, health, and welfare, and continue to work and research closely with the industry.

This study option is full-time (off-campus and online), and you'll be required to attend three compulsory block courses at our Mt Albert campus.
To study from a distance, you need to be self-motivated, committed, and have excellent time management skills. You must attend all block courses, practical assessments, and work experience, and complete your self-directed study (research, reading, revision) and assessment writing.
You'll also need consistent access to a computer with a reliable internet connection and appropriate office software, e.g. Microsoft Office, which we'll provide once you're enrolled.

If you're interested in continuing your studies, this programme will give you the academic admission requirements for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Animal Management and Welfare).