New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Companion Animal Healthcare)

This programme is the ideal first step into the world of companion animal healthcare. Designed for beginners, it gives you the essential skills to assist veterinary teams and animal care professionals in clinics, hospitals, and care facilities.

You’ll learn how to safely handle and care for animals, support basic healthcare tasks, understand animal behaviour and welfare, and create calm, positive environments for pets and their people.

With a mix of theory, hands‑on learning, and guidance from our experienced tutors, you’ll build real confidence in your ability to help animals when they need it most.

This programme is made up of 2 Semesters over 1 year.

The programme requires 120 hours of placement each semester.

This programme comprises 120 credits.

Semester 1

Companion Animal Professionalism and Infection Control (15 Credits)

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to work in a professional, safe, and effective manner in an animal health care environment.

Companion Animal Anatomy and physiology (15 Credits)

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to animal nutrition, and basic anatomy and physiology to support companion animal patient care.

Companion Animal husbandry (15 Credits)

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to provide safe and appropriate husbandry and handling to support companion animal health and welfare.

Companion Animal Clinical skills 1 (15 Credits)

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to provide day to day care of companion animals as part of an interprofessional team. Demonstrate skills related to animal behaviour, husbandry, hygiene, and handling. Communicate effectively within a team. This course will include a minimum of 120 hours of practicum.

Semester 2

Companion Animal Health and Hygiene (15 Credits)

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to assist in the provision of companion animal healthcare.

Companion Animal Clinical Assistance (15 Credits)

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.

Companion Animal Preparation for Practice (15 Credits)

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for effective clinical practice and first aid.

Companion Animal Clinical skills 2 (15 Credits)

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to assist with healthcare and clinical procedures in companion animals as part of an interprofessional team. Demonstrate skills related to animal healthcare and clinical procedures. Contribute to shared goals within the animal healthcare team. This course will include 120 hours of practicum.

• An animal housing facility with appropriate cages and housing for daytime housing of all animals used and onsite overnight housing facilities for some companion animals.

• Practical handling room and mock surgery.

• Appropriate husbandry equipment such as dog bath, feeding, grooming equipment and restraint devices.

• A handling facility with an examination/practical room either on or offsite.

• Access to cats, dogs, rabbits, companion animals and birds

• Access to the science labs including

• Microscopes and basic microbiological laboratory equipment.

• Incubators and water baths.

• Histology and parasitology specimens, slides and equipment.

• Diagnostic testing equipment.

40 credits at NCEA Level 1, including 10 Literacy credits and 10 Numeracy credits. or a recognised equivalent; OR a relevant qualification at NZQF Level 2 or above, or a recognised equivalent.

In addition to the Domestic Entry Requirements, the following applies to international learner applicants.

English language proficiency

International learners for whom English or te reo Māori is not a first language will need to provide evidence that they have an IELTS score of 5.5 (general or academic) with no individual band lower than 5 from one test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules.

Under 20 years of age

In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency.

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020, and Universal College of Learning is accredited to teach it.

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.

• Veterinary Nursing Educational Standards Committee (VNESC)

• Totally Vets

• Southern Rangitikei Veterinary Services (SRVS)

• Cahill’s Animal Hospital

• Pet Doctors Palmerston North

• Levin & Horowhenua Vets

• Robinsons Vet Clinic

• Animates Vet Care

• Boyce C G Veterinary Clinic

• Gribbles Veterinary

To optimise chances of learner success, 100% attendance is required for all practical classes and work placements. It is also strongly recommended for all theory classes.

Practical requirements

Learners must be able to carry out physical activities within the Animal Room and work placement to fulfil the requirements of the programme. Learners must also have no objection to working with animals, dissection of animal body parts, body fluids and cadavers. UCOL reserves the right to decline entry to the programme should an applicant's physical ability or squeamishness prevent them carrying out practical activities required to fulfil the requirements of the programme. These practical requirements will be discussed and confirmed by staff when contacting learners.

Clinical placements

All learners are required to complete work placements of at least 240 hours in an animal health setting, at least 80 hours must be in a veterinary clinic setting. It is likely the placement will be out of the Manawatū region. Out-of-region placements are sourced by the student in consultation with the Programme Leader. Highest priority for local placement are learners who are single parents of children under the age of 5. Not having a car, drivers licence or having work commitments or animals to care for is not sufficient to be considered priority for local placement. This means that you are very likely to be required to undertake your clinical placement outside the wider Manawatu region therefore you will have additional costs relating to your travel and accommodation.

Recognition of prior learning

Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a learner believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Academic Statute and other relavant policies and procedures.

Application checklist

It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

• National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)

• Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)

• Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme

• Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).

Please note that there are additional costs associated with the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Companion Animal Health). These are to be confirmed but could include

• Watch for taking heart rates $20

• Small scissors $30

• Stethoscope $45

• Calculator

Text books

• BSAVA: Textbook of Veterinary Nursing (5th edition) by Lane, D.R., Cooper, B.C., and Turner L. (2011)

• Dictionary of Veterinary Nursing (4th edition) by Lane, D.R. and Guthrie, S. (2007)

Travel

Transport costs will vary according to the mode of transport and may include public transport, private car usage, and carpooling. An example of an approximate cost of petrol in a 1600cc car over 180 kilometres over five days could cost up to $80.00 or more.

Accommodation fees

These vary according to the types of accommodation used. Backpackers, Homestays, Student Hostels can be in the range of $50.00 - $120.00 per night.