Palmerston North · Online course

Vet Assistant in Palmerston North

If you love animals and want to work with them professionally this Vet Assistant course is perfect for you.

Full course details

What you'll learn

The course is the same online course wherever you study from. Its modules:

1. Subject 1 – Animal Healthcare
2. Subject 2 – Common Diseases in Animals

See the full Vet Assistant course outline

Studying to be a vet assistant in Palmerston North

Palmerston North is home to Massey University's School of Veterinary Science, Tāwharau Ora, which describes itself as New Zealand's only veterinary school. Its teaching hospital on the Manawatū campus treats many animal species and is open to the public, and Massey also runs an equine veterinary clinic on University Avenue. That concentration of clinical practice means the city has an unusually large veterinary workforce for its size.

For hands-on experience, the SPCA Palmerston North Centre on Napier Road lists volunteer roles caring for dogs, cats and small animals, and it also recruits foster carers. Feline and small-animal volunteers feed, clean and socialise animals in the centre and quarantine areas, which mirrors much of the routine husbandry a vet assistant handles. Check the SPCA's current listings for age and time commitments before applying.

Vet Assistant in Palmerston North: questions

Is there a veterinary teaching hospital in Palmerston North?

Yes. Massey University's School of Veterinary Science is based in Palmerston North and describes itself as New Zealand's only veterinary school. Its staff diagnose and treat many animal species on the Manawatū campus, and the hospital is open to the public.

Where can I get animal-handling experience in Palmerston North?

The SPCA Palmerston North Centre at 93 Napier Road, Terrace End, advertises volunteer roles including canine care, feline and small-animal care, and centre support. Volunteer enquiries go to the centre's volunteer email, and current positions are listed on the SPCA website.

What our students say

I’m loving my course with Online…

I’m loving my course with Online Learning. I’m studying Veterinary Nursing Assistant in Wildlife. I work full time and I love the fact that I can study in my own time and complete my certification in my own time. I find the course material fantastic and I love my assignments. I’ve recently also started a volunteer job at Taronga Zoo that I got from being an Veterinary Nursing Assistant student through Online Learning. It’s a really amazing course with thorough information and I’ll highly recommend this course.

Adele Scholtz