Certificate in Companion Animals
Give every pet in your care the best possible life.
Care for companion animals
Pets offer companionship and support to people from all walks of life. The Certificate in Companion Animals brings together three areas: animal health care, animal behaviour and pet care.
You'll learn to recognise illness, give first aid and understand how animals learn and behave. You'll also learn to meet the needs of cats, dogs, birds, fish, rabbits, reptiles and small pets. It suits pet owners and people working, or hoping to work, in pet care, shelters and pet businesses.
What you will cover
- Signs of illness and animal first aid
- Preventative and routine health care
- How animals learn and behave
- Handling animals and behavioural problems
- Caring for cats, dogs and birds
- Caring for fish, rabbits, reptiles and small pets
3 modules, 28 lessons
Lessons are made up of reading, videos and step-by-step tutorials, with a self-assessment quiz after each lesson and written assignments marked on competency.
1Animal Health Care
12 lessons
- Introduction to Animal Health Care
- Common Health Problems in Farm Animals and Pets
- Animal Behaviour
- Signs of Ill Health
- Veterinary Facilities
- Safety Procedures
- Administration of Animal Health
- Animal First Aid
- Preventative Health Care
- Routine Health Treatments
- Health Problems in Domestic Pets
- Rehabilitation Care
2Animal Behaviour
8 lessons
- Introduction: Influences and Motivation
- Genetics and Behaviour
- Animal Perception and Behaviour
- Behaviour and the Environment
- Social Behaviour
- Learning
- Handling Animals
- Behavioural Problems
3Pet Care
8 lessons
- Introduction to Animal Care
- Cats
- Dogs
- Birds
- Fish
- Rabbits
- Reptiles and Amphibians
- Guinea Pigs, Hamsters and Mice
Where this course can take you
This certificate opens up the gateway for you to seek employment in various businesses, some career outcomes may require further training and /or qualifications.
Some roles need further training or qualifications, such as Police vetting or Children's Act safety checks. Courses4me does not guarantee employment.
Self-paced, with a tutor behind you
Study when you have time and when you are motivated. The course takes about 300 hours from start to finish; most students graduate within 12 months.
Lessons are made up of reading, videos and step-by-step tutorials, so every kind of learner stays engaged.
Enrolling is made simple via our online enrolment form, if you'd prefer you can also enrol over the phone with our team on +64 800 600 548.
You receive an orientation call when you start, then an assigned tutor marks your assignments for the rest of the course.
Multiple-choice self-assessments after each lesson (unlimited attempts) and written assignments marked on competency, with resubmissions.
Receive a hard and digital copy of your certificate and transcript, plus our job-ready program for graduates.
Choose how you pay
Pay upfront and save $500, or start now with an interest-free plan, paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Payment plans need a New Zealand bank account.
Courses4me does not receive government funding. If you are applying for payment assistance, ask us for a Confirmation of Enrolment. On a payment plan, your certificate is released once the plan is paid in full.
$1,960 $1,460 NZD
One payment, full access straight away.
- Credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay
- Logins within 24 hours
- Best total price
$18.85 / week NZD
Interest-free, $1,960 NZD in total. Pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly:
- 12 months $37.69/wk · $75.38/fn · $163.33/mo
- 24 months $18.85/wk · $37.69/fn · $81.67/mo
Is Courses4me accredited?
Yes. All of our courses are endorsed by the IARC (www.iarcedu.com) and accredited by ICOES (www.icoes.org). ICOES has an independent board of management and an Advisory Board of independent professors who developed the Accreditation Standards used for the annual review of accredited course providers.
Courses4me is a private education company. It is not a Registered Training Organisation, and its courses are not NZQA-registered qualifications. What this means
Get the course guide by email
Module outline, study plan and payment options for this course.
How long does the Certificate in Companion Animals take?
It takes about 300 hours from start to finish. The course is self-paced with no due dates; most students graduate within 12 months, and you have unlimited access.
Do I need any qualifications to enrol?
No. No prior qualifications or prerequisites are needed, and you do not need to have finished high school. All you need is a computer, laptop or tablet. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must give written permission and act as financial sponsor.
How much does the course cost?
You can pay $1,460 NZD upfront (save $500), or choose an interest-free payment plan totalling $1,960 NZD. Plan options: 12 months: $37.69 a week, $75.38 a fortnight or $163.33 a month; 24 months: $18.85 a week, $37.69 a fortnight or $81.67 a month. Payment plans need a New Zealand bank account.
How is the course delivered and assessed?
Completely online. Lessons are made up of reading, videos and step-by-step tutorials. Each lesson has a multiple-choice self-assessment you can retake, and written assignments are marked on competency with tutor support and resubmissions.
When can I start?
Intake is open now. Enrol with our simple online enrolment form (or over the phone on +64 800 600 548), and you have access to your course the very next day.
What jobs can this course lead to?
Graduates commonly look at roles such as animal hospital clerk, animal lab technician, animal shelter staff, animal trainer, animal welfare office, breeder. Some career outcomes may require further training or qualifications, and Courses4me does not guarantee employment.
Is the course accredited?
All Courses4me courses are accredited by ICOES and endorsed by IARC. Courses4me is a private education company. It is not a Registered Training Organisation, and its courses are not NZQA-registered qualifications.
Can I change my mind after enrolling?
Yes, within the 3-day cooling-off period (weekends and public holidays included): call +64 800 600 548 or email support@courses4me.com.au. Requests after the cooling-off period cannot be actioned.
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