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.
To retain your enrolment, you need to do the following before the start date of the programme:
1. Check List
Click on this link print this document so you can tick off and keep a track of each step during your enrolment process, so you do not miss anything.
2. Criminal Convictions History
It is recommended that you take Criminal Convictions History Report with you to any prospective work placement.
3. Uniforms
There is no compulsory uniform however you are welcome to wear our branded clothing to your work placements and block course as professional attire. As items are branded, please check your sizing before ordering.
We strongly recommend you get a name badge (to order click the link below) to wear on work placement and to block course.
Challenge Marketing Uniform Price List
Click on this link to order your name badge and shirt. Note: you will need to create an account first and wait for verification from Challenge Marketing before placing your order.
You will also need appropriate clothing for placement and block course. Appropriate means suitable for working with animals such as closed in shoes. Clothing needs to be in good order, not ripped for example. You are studying for a professional career so your appearance should reflect that. Jeans in good order are fine. Clothing should not be so tight or short as to be restrictive or to cause offence. Jewellery should be minimal.
We have set up two buy/sell/swap Facebook pages to buy and sell used uniform items, textbooks and the like.
Click here for the Otago Polytechnic page
Click here for the Te Pūkenga page
Please note, we have reverted back to the use of Otago Polytechnic branded uniforms, but we will still accept the use of any Te Pūkenga branded uniforms in the meantime.
4. Equipment
The equipment you will need for this programme (below) will be discussed at the introductory session and at the first block course and is not required until later in the course. We can guide and support you in appropriate equipment selection.
Compulsory equipment:
- Grooming/waterproof apron
- Pair of earmuffs
Recommended (optional) equipment:
- 3 pairs of grooming scissors (1x standard pair, 1x curved pair and 1x thinning pair)*
*We discuss these various options in detail at your first block course. You do not need to them until the second half of the programme.
- Textbooks:
- Notes from the Grooming Table 2nd Edition, by Melissa Verplank. ISBN 9780692658079
- The Theory of 5 2nd edition, by Melissa Verplank, ISBN 9781732379718
All titles are available to loan via The Robertson Library at no charge to enrolled students (including free P&P for off-campus loans).
5. Pet Grooming Work Placement Documents
We recommend that you secure your work placement prior to enrolling in this programme to ensure you’ll be able to meet the requirements to pass. It’s a risk if you enrol and are unable to secure a work placement in the future because you need to complete the work placement to be able to pass the programme.
During the course you are required to complete 240 hours of work placement hours, made up of at least TWO different pet grooming facilities. While at placement, you will work with your supervisor to gather assessment evidence for skills that a Pet Groomer would be expected to do well, when you have graduated. The minimum number of hours is generally collected organically as you work towards completing these assessed practical skills.
Print off and read each of the following Work Placement documents.
Take these to all prospective work placement facilities you visit with a copy of your Criminal Convictions History Report and Basic Health and Safety Course COP.
Click here for the Letter of Introduction (to introduce you to the facility as a perspective Otago Polytechnic student seeking a work placement)
Click here for the Key Information (this provides the facility with more information about the programme and work placement)
Click here for the Emergency Contact Details Form (fill this in and give to the farm and clinic placements when you have sourced a work placement)
Click here to enter the details of your Occupational Health and Safety for Students in the Workplace.
Click here for the Practical Skills List (this provides the groom facility with a list of skills you will need to undertake during work placement)
6. For Your Information:
Click here to review Tips on finding your Work Placement
You are more likely to get a better response by asking for an appointment to discuss this, than if you just call in to the grooming salon. It also shows that you are demonstrating high levels of professionalism and also recognise that grooming salons are very busy places. Make sure when you attend the appointment that you take copies of all the documents above and be prepared to talk about yourself and why you are doing the Pet Grooming programme. If you do not hear from the grooming salon within a week, we suggest that you telephone the grooming salon and ask to speak to the owner or the senior groomer to arrange an appointment to discuss whether the grooming salon would be prepared to support you as a student requiring work placement.
It is very important that all communications with the grooming salon are made by you, not your parent or spouse.
Do not be disheartened if the grooming salon advise they do not take students – this can happen, so be prepared to approach another salon or facility.
Remember to take with you to your appointment at the grooming salon:
- Your brief Curriculum Vitae (CV), including at least one referee that can vouch for you
- Your current Criminal Convictions History Report
- The Grooming Salon Work Placement documents
- A smile ? and possibly a bit of morning tea.
Click here to review What to expect on your first day at your work placement
7. Record Your Placement Information:
Always remember: You are a guest in the grooming salon, and it is a privilege not a right.
Be aware should there be aspects of your work placement being unbeneficial to the grooming salon they can terminate their agreement to support your work placement at any time. Once your work placement day/s and hours have been established it always pays to be prepared to do a little more than just the set hours. In your work placement grooming salon, be prepared to provide some leniency when it comes to your hours particularly if there is a high workload or work just needs doing, it will really be appreciated if you stay on to assist even if it is hanging out the washing, cleaning out cages (yes, even though you’re not studying companion animal nursing!). This shows that you are passionate, interested and also prepared to pitch in – all qualities that a future employer will be looking for. By staying on to help also shows you recognise the commitment the grooming salon has provided in supporting you and that work placement is give and take.
Enjoy your work placement ?
If you need support finding a suitable placement, please contact the School of Animal Health by emailing Katie.Prasad@op.ac.nz - Katie is our work placement co-ordinator.
8. Enrolment Supporting Information:
These must be completed on a computer as the format is not compatible with your cell phone:
Click here to access and fill in the Student Privacy Declaration form.
Click here to access and fill in the Student Code of Conduct form
Further Information
Below is some further information that we would recommend you taking the time to read and familiarise yourself with before the start of the programme.
9. Block Course Dates
You have two compulsory block courses to attend. Click here for the block course dates for 2025.
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 ONE compulsory block course each year of their study (2 in total but only 1 per year).
10. Copy of Work Placement Contract and Otago Polytechnic Code of Privacy/Confidentiality
Click here
11. 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.
