Animal Care
Turn your love of animals into a rewarding career. Our qualifications equip you with the practical skills to manage and care for animals in a variety of settings, or to continue on to a vet nursing qualification.
Our animal care qualifications will provide you with the perfect starting point if you want to work with animals in non-clinical roles or use this as a pathway into veterinary nursing. These programmes offer hands-on learning in companion animal husbandry, welfare, behaviour, and handling, preparing you for a rewarding career in the animal care industry.
With a strong focus on practical skills, you'll gain experience in settings such as boarding kennels, catteries, animal shelters and pet shops.
Our flexible study options allow you to learn from anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand, with a blend of online coursework, practical placements and in-person training. Whether you're looking to start your career in animal care or use this as a stepping-stone into veterinary nursing, our programmes will give you the skills and confidence to take the next step.
Animal Care qualifications
Study Veterinary Nursing
Our programmes focus on promoting the health, husbandry and welfare of animals.
Student Story
Chris Neville
After graduating, Chris now supervises at a dog-care facility, interacting, playing with and monitoring the dogs in his care.
Discover our Te Kura Oraka Kararehe | School of Animal Health
Get a taste of what it's like to study this field at Otago Polytechnic:
- See all programmes offered
- Meet your lecturers and find out what makes them leaders in their chosen area
- Hear about our latest news and events
- Learn first-hand what it’s like to study with us from real students and graduates
- Read about our postgraduate research and projects
Animal Health news and events
Contact us
If you’re not sure what to study and would like some guidance, we’re here to help. Feel free to chat to us directly about any questions you may have.