Explore the fundamentals of working in the animal care industry. This subject provides an overview of various animal care careers and what they entail, including the necessary skills and typical work schedules. Delve into the basics of identifying different species and breeds, and learn the essential terminology and equipment used in daily operations. Gain practical skills in animal restraint and handling, with specific techniques for managing dogs and cats effectively and safely. This subject lays the groundwork for a successful career in animal care, combining theoretical knowledge with essential practical skills.

Health and safety are vital aspects of working in any animal care workplace. We’ll introduce you to Work Health and Safety legislation and how it applies to employees, and teach you the basics of risk management and controls. We’ll also show you how to deal with sharps, allergies, noise, dangerous chemicals and drugs, emergencies, biological hazards and zoonoses. Then we’ll finish off with a closer look at animal hazards and manual handling when it comes to animal care workplaces and how you can minimise injury.

Master the art of sourcing and managing information critical to animal care. This subject teaches you how to identify and obtain relevant data, including detailed medication information essential for ensuring proper care. Learn the skills needed to effectively communicate vital information to clients, ensuring they have the knowledge to support their pets’ health. You will also gain proficiency in maintaining accurate workplace records and navigating microchip registries, which are crucial for the management and identification of animals. This subject equips you with the knowledge and tools to handle information responsibly and efficiently in any animal care setting.

This subject delves into the vital role of enrichment in promoting healthy behaviour and overall well-being in animals. Begin with an introduction to both behavioural and environmental enrichment, understanding how these elements influence animal behaviour positively. Explore common maladaptive behaviours and identify their causes. Learn the key elements of effective enrichment strategies that can mitigate these behaviours. Finally, apply your knowledge by designing an enrichment program tailored to specific animal needs, enhancing their physical and psychological health. This course is essential for anyone looking to improve the quality of life for animals in their care.

This subject is designed to enhance your understanding of sustainability in the animal care industry. Learn to identify current resource usage and assess the environmental impacts of various practices. You’ll explore how to comply with environmental regulations and discover strategies to improve resource efficiency in your workplace. This course is essential for anyone looking to implement more sustainable and responsible practices in animal care settings, ensuring that operations not only meet regulatory standards but also contribute positively to environmental conservation.

Delve into the dynamics of effective communication and teamwork within the animal care industry. This subject emphasizes the importance of clear and effective workplace communication, covering verbal interactions, interpersonal skills, and written communications essential for maintaining professional relationships and workflow. Explore the role of workplace policies in shaping a productive environment and learn how to contribute positively to team efforts. This comprehensive overview prepares you for collaborative work in various animal care settings, ensuring you can operate efficiently and harmoniously within a team.

Gain crucial skills in animal first aid to effectively respond in emergency situations. This subject teaches you to recognise the signs of an emergency, identify potential hazards, and perform basic first aid procedures to stabilise animals in distress. Learn the best practices for safely transporting animals to a veterinary clinic, ensuring they receive professional care as quickly as possible. This course is vital for anyone working with animals, providing the knowledge and techniques needed to act swiftly and responsibly in critical moments.

In this subject, you’ll learn about disease transmission, exploring how illnesses spread between animals and humans, and most importantly, how to stop them in their tracks. You’ll finish up with understand the role of vaccines in preventing common diseases, and an understanding on how parasites can infest our pets and how we can control this. This subject equips you with essential knowledge to protect both animals and people, ensuring a healthier environment for all.

Explore the essentials of effective animal husbandry in this comprehensive subject. Start with an introduction to the basic principles of caring for animals, including how to be prepared for the various needs of different species. Learn about the importance of appropriate housing and how to assist with the day-to-day care of animals. Emphasize the critical roles of workplace and animal hygiene, covering everything from maintaining clean environments to grooming practices. Additionally, understand the requirements for providing proper nutrition and hydration. This subject is designed to equip you with foundational knowledge and practical skills for maintaining the health and well-being of animals in any care setting.

To ensure you really understand what you are learning, and master the necessary practical skills, you will undertake 10 days (7.5-8 hrs each) of work placement in an approved workplace. These 10 days cover the various skills necessary for the subject/s related to them.

We are very flexible however and can change the structure of the placement to suit you and the workplace, whether you do a day a week, or blocks of weeks. Whatever you need to complete the requirements.

Prior to starting your placement, you must successfully complete your first 2 subjects – Working with Animals and Working Safely with Animals.