Animal Health & Veterinary Care Foundations Course

Learn animal health and veterinary care with our Animal Care courses in Sydney!

Do you have a passion for caring for animals and ensuring their well-being but need flexibility in your learning?

Our self-paced, online Animal Health & Veterinary Care Foundations course in Sydney allows you to develop essential skills at your own pace from the comfort of your home. Whether you’re considering a career in animal welfare, or looking to support veterinary teams and/or volunteer to care for animals in need, this flexible course gives you the freedom to learn when it suits you. With expert guidance from the team at RSPCA Queensland, you’ll gain the knowledge needed to provide for the health and safety of animals, empowering you to make a real difference while fitting your studies around your schedule.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Animal Health & Veterinary Care Foundations course, it is intended that you will be able to:

• Understand the basics of animal nutrition and health care
• Interpret animal behaviour and provide environmental enrichment
• Administer rescue and first aid care in emergencies
• Support some of the operational tasks required in a veterinary clinic
• Offer bereavement support to pet owners
• Recognise the importance of animal welfare and sustainability in the animal care industry

Once you complete the course, you will be issued a Digital Badge and a Certificate of Completion.

Course content

What will be covered in this Animal Health & Veterinary Care Foundations course?

During this course, a panel of experts from RSPCA Queensland will guide you through the following topics:

• Handling & Safety: Techniques for safely handling animals in different environments.
• Health & Nutrition: The fundamentals of maintaining animal health through proper nutrition.
• Behaviour & Enrichment: Understanding animal behaviour and how to enhance their quality of life.
• Rescue & First Aid: Emergency rescue and first aid skills for animals in distress.
• Veterinary Care: The role of veterinary care in maintaining animal health.
• Veterinary Clinic Support: Daily operations of a veterinary clinic and how to support them.
• Bereavement Support: Compassionate care for pet owners during times of loss.
• Animal Welfare & Sustainability: The significance of animal welfare in the broader industry.

Course activities & (optional) assignments

Please note there is no requirement to submit any activities in this course for grading. However, the course features the following activities & assignments to enhance your learning and give you to option to apply key concepts learnt in a practical context:

• Knowledge Checks: Quizzes after each lesson to reinforce key concepts.
• Animal Care Guide: Create a care guide for an animal of your choice, covering nutrition, common diseases, and enrichment.
• Planning Your Future in Animal Care: Reflect on your career goals and develop a plan for entering the animal care industry.
• Supporting Animal Welfare: Set personal goals for making a positive impact on animal welfare.

Student Reviews

Intended audience

Who is this Animal Health & Veterinary Care Foundations course for?

• Animal lovers aspiring to turn their passion into a career
• Individuals looking for entry-level roles in animal care or veterinary support
• (Prospective) Volunteers with animal welfare agencies seeking to enhance their skills
• Beginners who want to learn the fundamentals of animal health and veterinary care
• Aspiring vet nurses or professionals seeking a strong foundation for future studies

Course materials

This course is delivered online through a partner education provider. You will need a PC, laptop, or tablet and an internet connection. This self-paced course fits around your schedule, featuring:

• Engaging video lessons and insights from industry experts
• Quizzes and activities to help solidify your understanding
• Self-paced learning on the user-friendly using our online education partner platform, with instant support available from its AI-powered Learning Assistant

Featured Experts

This course features a panel of industry experts specialised in animal health and veterinary care:

• Dr Mandy Paterson: Principal Scientist at RSPCA Queensland, focusing on animal welfare and research and serving on various government committees and boards.
• Dr Tim Portas: Wildlife Veterinarian at RSPCA Queensland with over 25 years of experience, specialising in wildlife medicine and endangered species care.
• Dr Andrew McKay: Veterinary Surgeon and Chief Veterinary Officer at ZamiPet, a veterinary supplement company, with extensive experience in companion animal care.
• Dr Sam Strong: Veterinarian at RSPCA Queensland, specialising in shelter medicine and the care of neglected animals.
• Tui Myers: Veterinary Nurse at RSPCA Queensland, with a passion for orthopaedic recovery and animal welfare education.
• Karina Tuite: Community Outreach Specialist at RSPCA Queensland, with a focus on animal welfare education.
• Chantelle Scolari: Animal Rescue Officer at RSPCA Queensland, dedicated to rescuing animals in need.
• Tessa Van de Sandt: Assistant Animal Care Manager at RSPCA Queensland, overseeing animal care in the organisation with a specialisation in dog training.
• Dylan Gerard: Veterinary Nurse and Clinic Coordinator at RSPCA Queensland, managing clinic operations and patient care.