New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management (Level 4) with Companion Animal Strand

Ara Institute of Canterbury Limited

Match your passion for animals with the skills and knowledge to work in the diverse and rewarding field of animal care.This programme is the perfect first step into a career working with companion animals. The programme will equip you with knowledge and skills for a variety of areas including kennel and cattery management, rescue and animal welfare centres, pet sitting, pet stores, day care centres, pet ownership education and working as an animal technician. Due to the practical nature of the programme, you must have a good level of fitness and be able to carry out physical activities when working in an animal facility. You’ll learn about a range of companion animals (e.g. dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice and birds), their health and welfare and how to manage and care for them on a day-to-day basis. This will include animal anatomy and physiology, occupational health and safety, low stress handling of animals, animal behaviour and health, animal first aid, record keeping, legislation and housing design. More advanced topics include nutrition, infection control, care during illness/injury, safe use of medications, designing optimum temporary housing spaces, facility planning, behavioural training and enrichment. Work-integrated learning is a significant component of the programme, with students needing to complete 120 hours in two different facilities over the year. You’ll have the opportunity to spend some of this time in a work environment that suits the area of companion animal management you’re most interested in, e.g. dog groomers to animal shelters.