Certificate III in Companion Animal Services

People who are successful in this industry are:

• Interested in animal welfare
• Calm and empathetic by nature
• Capable of following directions
• Collaborative team players
• Independent and can work alone
• Great communicators

Assessments give you the opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned, and to identify the knowledge or skills that may need further development. In this course you will undertake:

• Written assessments: assignments, quizzes and short question answers
• Practical assessments: animal handling, feeding, and grooming
• You will also conduct health checks, and show competency in administering medications
• Online students will complete their practicals in their chosen workplace. You may be asked to complete a workplace logbook, as well as provide photo or video evidence as assessment tasks.

The Certificate II in Animal Studies is an entry-level qualification that provides no exposure to simulated or real world. It does cover your foundational skills and sets you up for success in the Certificate III of Companion Animal Services.

This course, the Certificate III, provides real world exposure where you will apply all that you have learned in the classroom. You will practice your skills at an intermediate level. You need to complete the Certificate II in Animal Studies before enrolling in this course.

The Certificate IV level course is a more advanced course, and focuses on management and supervisory skills within an animal facility. It does not cover the foundational skills you will gain in the Certificate II and III. You need to complete the Certificate III in Companion Animal Services before enrolling in this course.

Depending on your campus location and local partnerships with TAFE NSW, you may have the opportunity to participate in excursions that take you behind the scenes in the Animal Services industry. These may include:

• Pet boarding facilities
• Grooming facilities
• Animal welfare organisations like the RSPCA and Animal Welfare League
• Council led animal shelters

These excursions will give you the opportunity to talk to industry professionals in an informal manner, and see the ins and outs of different facilities.

You will gain hands-on experience in:

• Handling and grooming animals
• Monitoring animal health
• Taking vital signs such as heart and respiration rates
• Administering medication to a variety of animals
• Working safely with animals
• Creating nutritional diets for animals
• Following hygiene and sanitisation routines

TAFE NSW is known for delivering theory in conjunction with practical, hands-on learning. You will work on real world projects, such as:

• Identifying needs of animals
• Providing environmental enrichment for animals
• Administering medication and completing observation checklists
• Simulating a real animal services workplace

TAFE NSW offers you a range of online and on campus study environments - industry specific computer rooms, simulated workplaces, study areas, and general student facilities - to enhance your learning and employability.

Many TAFE NSW campuses also have animal facilities onsite, which may include:

• Animal houses
• Pet grooming facilities
• Equine facilities
• Livestock facilities
• Aviary facilities

The animal care industry is growing in demand as people's expectations increase about how their furry companion should be cared for. This expectation is leading to booming small businesses which include pet sitting services and doggy day care centres. While the animal care field is broad, it is also highly competitive. Our course in Companion Animal Services gives you diverse practical, theoretical and interpersonal skills that you can use as an employee or a small business owner.

The companion animal industry is booming. People are spending larger amounts of money on their 'fur-babies', and demanding more of their care.

People are increasingly outsourcing the care of their pets, and this course will give you a competitive edge in a continually demanded field.