Haere mai! Welcome to the information page for the
New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management (L4) – Pet Grooming
The NZ Certificate in Animal Management (Pet Grooming) is only available as a highly blended delivery. We do not run on-campus classes for this programme. You will complete your study from wherever you are based in New Zealand, in conjunction with grooming salon placements.
What does highly blended mean? Highly blended means that, although the programme is "online", you are expected to engage and interact with your lecturers and peer group on Microsoft Teams. We provide you with direction on what you should be studying week-by-week. You will have online lectures via Teams as well and are expected to attend as part of the programme's learning resources. As well as this, there are also compulsory block courses that you must attend. These 4-day block courses are only run from our campus in Dunedin.
As this is a highly blended course, strong computer skills are imperative. You'll be using online platforms like Moodle and Microsoft Teams regularly for accessing course materials, submitting assessments, attending online sessions, and communicating with your tutors and classmates. Being confident with basic digital tasks — such as navigating websites, using email, creating and saving documents, and participating in video calls — will help you stay organised, meet deadlines, and get the most out of your learning experience. If you feel unsure about any of these, we recommend brushing up before the course starts.
What will you learn?
The Pet Grooming Programme consists of 8 compulsory courses designed to build both knowledge and hands-on skills. Learners will complete 6 theory-based courses covering animal welfare, behaviour, anatomy, equipment use, and professional grooming practices, alongside 2 practical courses where they apply their learning in real grooming settings.
Courses
ANML4602 Introduction to Professional Skills covers animal welfare and legislation, teamwork, and wellbeing in the pet grooming industry. Learners explore ethical grooming practices, professional conduct, effective communication, and strategies to support a safe, inclusive, and sustainable workplace.
ANML4603 Animal Behaviour and Welfare introduces learners to key concepts in companion animal first aid, behaviour, and low-stress handling in a grooming context. Learners will gain practical skills in managing common grooming-related emergencies, interpreting animal behaviour to maintain safety, and using consent-based, fear-free techniques to ensure the wellbeing of pets during grooming.
ANML4604 Pet Grooming Hygiene, Bathing and Drying equips learners with essential skills in salon hygiene, animal care, and grooming preparation. Learners will explore best practices for cleaning and infection control, perform pre-groom health checks to ensure animal safety, and apply appropriate bathing and drying techniques based on coat type, breed, and individual animal needs.
ANML4605 Grooming Equipment and Procedures introduces learners to the safe use and maintenance of grooming tools, the grooming needs of different coat types, and essential pre-work procedures. Learners will gain practical skills in tool handling, coat-specific techniques, and preparing animals and workstations to ensure effective, safe, and professional grooming sessions.
ANML4606 Integrated Pet Grooming brings together all elements of professional grooming practice, focusing on holistic care and collaboration. Learners explore how animal husbandry impacts skin and coat health, how to work alongside other professionals to support animal wellbeing, and how to manage the full grooming process—from booking to discharge—with attention to sustainability, communication, and professional standards.
ANML4002 Anatomy and Physiology introduces learners to the structure and function of the body systems in dogs and cats, with a focus on relevance to grooming. Learners will explore basic anatomy, key physiological processes, and how systems like the skin, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems impact grooming practices and animal wellbeing.
ANML4607 Pet Grooming Practicum 1 is a hands-on course where learners apply foundational grooming skills in a practical setting. This includes maintaining hygiene and husbandry standards, assessing animal behaviour, using safe restraint techniques, performing pre-groom health checks, bathing and drying dogs, and selecting, preparing, cleaning, and maintaining grooming equipment.
ANML4608 Pet Grooming Practicum 2 builds on core grooming skills through advanced, practical tasks. Learners will perform deshedding, hand stripping, nail clipping, sanitary care, ear and teeth cleaning, and complete full grooms on both cats and dogs with a range of coat types, from start to finish.
Who are your lecturers?
Click HERE to read about your lecturers.
Block Courses
There are two compulsory block courses each year.
Click HERE for the block course dates for 2026. Block courses are held at Otago Polytechnic campus - Dunedin
Full time students attend TWO compulsory block courses during their year of study. Part time students attend TWO compulsory block courses during their FIRST year of study.
Block Course 1: Foundations of Professional Grooming
This first block sets the groundwork for confident, safe, and effective grooming practice.
Learners will cover:
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Introduction to professional grooming tools with All Groom
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Health and safety protocols in grooming environments
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Professional expectations and conduct in a salon
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CPR for cats and dogs
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Equipment care, cleaning, and ongoing maintenance
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Basic animal handling and restraint techniques for grooming
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Hygiene and infection control in a grooming setting
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Coat assessments for grooming planning – selecting appropriate tools and products
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Hands-on practical skills: hand stripping, deshedding, bathing, and drying
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Experience in a real salon setting with client pets
Block Course 2: Advanced Techniques and Full Grooms
This second block develops technical skills and introduces advanced tasks involved in full-service grooms.
Learners will cover:
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Prep work: nail trimming, ear cleaning, teeth checks, sanitary clipping, and anal gland expression
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Scissor and blade handling techniques for precision grooming
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Dematting techniques – controlled and safe dematting by hand and with tools, using real coat conditions
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Finishing techniques – feathering, thinning, or minor tidy-up scissoring to enhance breed-specific presentation
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Groomer ergonomics and posture – how to stand, hold tools, and move safely for long grooming days
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Handling elderly or reactive pets – recognising behavioural signs and modifying handling safely
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Hands-on practical: completing breed-specific grooms from start to finish
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Further time in a live salon to build speed, confidence, and client communication skills
Work Placement (Practicum) – What You Need to Know
As part of your qualification, you’ll complete two practicums, each requiring 120 hours in a professional grooming salon—240 hours total. These placements are where you’ll be practically assessed on your grooming skills and readiness for industry.
We’ll arrange your work placement for you, so please do not approach salons yourself. If there’s a salon you’d love to work with, let us know—we’ll contact them directly to make sure they meet programme and safety standards.
Always remember: your placement is a privilege, not a right. You are a guest in the salon, and their agreement to support you is voluntary. If your behaviour, attitude, or work ethic impacts the salon negatively, they have the right to withdraw their support at any time.
Once your placement days and hours are confirmed, be prepared to give a little extra. Staying back to help during busy periods—whether it’s folding towels or tidying up—shows that you’re motivated, respectful, and a team player. These are exactly the kinds of qualities that future employers look for.
Work placement is about give and take. The more you put in, the more you’ll learn—and the more likely you are to build strong industry connections for your future.
Are You a Grooming Salon Interested in Hosting a Student?
Click HERE for more information and to request a supervisor packet.
Graduate Profile Outcomes
Graduate Profile Outcomes describe the key skills and knowledge you’ll have by the time you finish the programme. They show what you can confidently do as a qualified pet groomer and ensure your training meets national industry standards.
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
1. Implement regulatory and compliance requirements for animal care and welfare.
2. Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology to relevant aspects of animal management.
3. Manage interpersonal relationships and ethical behaviour in the provision of animal care.
4. Maintain animal, human, and environmental safety in a pet grooming environment.
5. Maintain an optimal welfare state of pets in a pet grooming environment.
6. Manage variations to normal and abnormal health and behaviour of pets in a pet grooming environment.
7. Apply knowledge of pet breed and individual characteristics, coat and body type, handling techniques, and the use and maintenance of grooming equipment to groom pets.
Overarching Outcomes
Overarching Outcomes are part of the qualification requirements set by NZQA. They sit alongside the Graduate Profile Outcomes and ensure that all programmes leading to the qualification include key national priorities—like cultural responsiveness, sustainability, and legal compliance—regardless of where or how the programme is delivered.
Programmes leading to this qualification must:
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Recognise capabilities supporting environmental, social, and economically sustainable practices in animal care.
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Recognise the place of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty, and capabilities supporting cultural sensitivity and responsiveness in animal care.
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Ensure currency with amendments to, and replacements of, relevant legislation, regulations, and codes of practice which may include some or all of the following:
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Animal Welfare Act 1999
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Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
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Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996
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Resource Management Act 1991
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Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997
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Privacy Act 2020
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Ensure the Animal Welfare Act 1999 Part 6 legislating ethics surrounding use of animals in learning and teaching, including seeking Animal Ethics Committee Approval where applicable is complied with.
Already an Experienced Groomer? Fast-Track Your Qualification with APL
If you’re already working as a groomer with hands-on experience but don’t yet hold a formal qualification, the Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) pathway could be for you.
This alternative option recognises the skills and knowledge you've developed through real-world grooming experience. Instead of repeating what you already know, you’ll work with an assessor to demonstrate your competency through practical assessment, portfolio evidence, and a structured interview process.
APL is ideal for:
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Salon owners or staff with years of grooming experience
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Groomers who trained informally or internationally
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Individuals returning to the industry who want to update and validate their skills
You’ll still be awarded the same New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management – Pet Grooming Strand, but in a way that honours the learning you've already achieved.
Click HERE
Frequently Asked Questions
Click HERE for more information for enrolling Pet Grooming students.
In the meantime if you have any questions or wish to talk about anything relating to the programme do not hesitate to contact us on (free phone) 0800 762 786 or email animalhealth@op.ac.nz and your enquiry will be directed to a learning advisor.
The qualification document from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) outlines the official requirements for the programme you’re studying. It defines the purpose of the qualification, the skills and knowledge you’ll gain (Graduate Profile Outcomes), and the standards all training providers must meet. It ensures that your qualification is nationally recognised, consistent, and aligned with industry expectations across Aotearoa. The Programme Document shows the NZQA document but in more detail.
The qualification document from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority can be found HERE.
The unified Programme Document can be found HERE.
