Te Kura Oraka Kararehe | School of Animal Health
If you’re passionate about animal welfare and want to provide humane, low-stress care to animals, this is the place for you to learn these skills.
Otago Polytechnic kaimahi (staff) are passionate leaders in animal healthcare, with a wealth of expertise and active roles within industry organisations. As the first New Zealand Polytechnic to hold the Certified Low-Stress Handling for Dogs and Cats Award, we ensure that you'll learn from leaders who are dedicated to advancing animal welfare across Aotearoa New Zealand.
We offer a range of study options, whether you're just starting your career in animal care and grooming, aiming for a clinical pathway in rural animal healthcare, or pursuing a career in veterinary nursing.
Students in our veterinary nursing and avian wildlife healthcare programmes have the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience treating sick and injured wildlife at the Wildlife Hospital, located within our School of Animal Health. The Wildlife Hospital features a fully equipped veterinary clinic, surgery, hospital and surgical preparation area, kennels, and a laboratory.
Our qualifications
Explore your passion. Whether you're interested in rural or companion animals, or prefer a non-clinical pathway, find the programme that suits your goals. Discover how our hands-on learning approach sets you up for success.
Have prior experience working with animals?
We offer a pathway for you to turn your experience into a recognised qualification.
With the Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) pathway, you can get a qualification from NZQA based on your industry experience. This option enables you to study part-time online and evaluate your skills and experience. You then present a portfolio of evidence to show how you meet the requirements of the qualification.
Available qualifications
Vet nursing & veterinary technology:
- New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6)
- New Zealand Diploma in Rural Animal Veterinary Technology (Level 6). Please note: APL is not currently available. However, we expect to offer APL as an option for this program in 2025.
Pet grooming:
Find out more.
Success Stories
"I live in Christchurch, so I did it all through distance learning. The learning materials were really good, and there was always a lecturer available online. It was just like you could walk into their office and ask!"
Studied the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care
“I decided to pursue the NZ Diploma in Veterinary Nursing because I wanted to bring my qualification up to current industry standard, as I had been nursing for so long. I also wanted a qualification that reflected my experience.”
Studied the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing
Dunedin’s Wildlife Hospital
Partnering with the Wildlife Hospital allows our students to get a unique learning experience.
Research stories to inspire
We encourage applied research to support teaching and community needs, available to all.
Contact us
If you want to know more about what we offer or you would like some guidance, we’re here to help. Feel free to chat to us directly about any questions you may have.
