School of Veterinary Nursing | Te Kura Oraka Kararehe
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 the skills.
Otago Polytechnic is the first New Zealand Polytechnic to hold the Certified Low-Stress Handling for Dogs and Cats Award, which means you’ll also graduate knowing the best way to handle an animal.
We have a wide range of qualifications and courses, from general veterinary nursing qualifications to specialist programmes in avian wildlife and equine care. You’ll gain significant industry-related work experience and benefit from the Wildlife Hospital based at our Dunedin campus.
The Wildlife Hospital has a fully equipped veterinary clinic, surgery, hospital and surgical preparation area, kennels, and a laboratory.
Our qualifications
Dunedin’s Wildlife Hospital
Partnering with the Wildlife Hospital allows our students to get a unique learning experience.
Student story
Chris Neville
After graduating, Chris now supervises at a dog-care facility, interacting, monitoring and playing with the dogs in his care.
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.
