I am a learning Advisor for the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing Programme. I graduated in 2003 with a Certificate in Veterinary Nursing from Otago Polytechnic, then went on to complete the Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2004.

I have spent eight years in specialist practice, both in Auckland and Christchurch, with short externships overseas and completed my Veterinary Technician Speciality- in small animal internal medicine in 2010.

Kia ora

I joined the OP team in the veterinary nursing department in 2018, transferring over from clinical practice where I have worked for 22 years. I am passionate about gold standard hospital care for our furry patients, and I am enjoying working with learners who are entering this exciting industry!

Kia ora,

I joined Otago Polytechnic in 2021 as a Lecturer for the NZCAT RAT course. Prior to this, I was a casual marker after completing the course in 2019. I also hold a Bachelor of Science which I completed at Massey University in 2003. I am a member of the LAVT branch of the NZVA.

I currently work 0.5FTE as a Lecturer and the other days can be found working as a RAT at my local clinic. I have been with the clinic snice 2010.

I am passionate about the industry and love my job as a RAT. I am excited to be able to work with learners to help and support them in their journey to becoming a qualified RAT

Tania has a Veterinary Nursing qualification from Otago Polytechnic and worked as a veterinary nurse for a small animal veterinary clinic in Dunedin for about seven years. She has been working for the School of Veterinary Nursing for twenty years and currently works 0.8 being a Senior Lecturer, and a Learning Advisor. She holds a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching and a Certificate in Mata a Ao Maori.

Hi, I am Vicki, I lived and worked as a qualified Veterinary Nurse in the UK for 22 years both in clinical and teaching settings. I hold the Veterinary Nursing qualification (RCVS). I have enjoyed working in a wide variety of settings from private clinics, referral hospitals and large charity hospitals both as an employee and a locum nurse. I completed an internship in America studying and promoting wolf behaviour and conservation. I am interested in companion animal hydrotherapy and have 4 years of experience as a hydrotherapist working with patients in both the hydrotherapy pool and treadmill. I enjoyed 5 years of teaching the Veterinary Nursing Diploma in the UK. I am excited to be using my clinical and teaching experience at the school of Veterinary Nursing in this beautiful country.

I have always had a passion for animals and previously completed a Certificate in Animal Technology at Otago Polytechnic, so welcomed the chance to use these skills to combine my interest in distance education and animal care when I joined the School of Veterinary Nursing in 2007. On a continual learning journey I have also completed the Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching and Learning, Certificate in Designing and Facilitating E-Learning and an Advanced Practitioner Certificate in Educational Technology.

In a previous life I have worked in both the industry and tertiary sector as a Laboratory Technician for over 20 years, and have an NZCS in Chemistry.

Hi, I'm Cat.

I started my veterinary nursing career working with horses and training as a RCVS VN in Northern Ireland. I practiced mostly in a small animal and equine hospital, later working in rural practice and as a locum. I moved home to NZ about a decade ago and have enjoyed working at OP since then. I work both with on-campus students and distance learners. My area of interest is the connection between human and animal welfare. I have recently joined a 'One Welfare' working group developing free access guidance for veterinary, medical and social services professionals on the link between animal and human abuse and neglect.

Jane is a qualified veterinary nurse and has spent over 15 years working in different veterinary clinics in England, Ireland and New Zealand. She has worked for the School of Veterinary Nursing since 2007 and is based in North Canterbury.

Kia ora tātou.
Ko California te tūrakawaewae.
I tipu ake au ki Ukiah
I rora i te maru o kā rākau Redwood
I te taha o te moana o Mendocino
Kei te noho au ki Ōtautahi
Ko Hamlin tōku whānau.
Ko Jennifer tōku ingoa.
Ko au tēnei.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou katoa.

Kia ora! I am Jennifer. I am a principal lecturer and have worked in the School of Veterinary Nursing at Otago Polytechnic since 2005. I grew up in Northern California and immigrated to NZ in 2002. I now live in Christchurch with my family. We have 27 acres where we are restoring biodiversity with a native reserve.

Professionally, I am a USA trained veterinary technician and NZ Registered Veterinary Nurse. I have 20 years' experience in veterinary practices overseas and in New Zealand. I have worked in many different clinical environments. My undergraduate degree major was in Neurobiology, Physiology & Behaviour and I also have a degree in Chemistry. I am currently working on my doctorate about professionalisation in veterinary nurses.

Since 2010 I have been the Consultant Editor of the UK peer-reviewed journal, The Veterinary Nurse, and I am on the Editorial Board of the open access, EBVM journal Veterinary Evidence, which is published by RCVS Knowledge. I am also a consultant editor on Vetstream. I have been an executive board member on the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association since 2010 and am the Chair of the Allied Veterinary Professional Regulatory Council of New Zealand since 2014 where I have been instrumental at establishing New Zealand's first register of veterinary nurses.

I'm Nic and I work as a Lecturer and Learning Advisor in the School of Veterinary Nursing. I thoroughly enjoy watching my learners grow and gain skills throughout their chosen field of study.

Steph is a NZ Registered Veterinary Nurse and Rural Animal Technician. She has her Masters in Professional Practice, Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Learning and Teaching, and National Certificate in Equine (SPA, SPC). Steph has been working with Otago Polytechnic since 2004 and is now a Principal Lecturer and Programme Leader of our Rural Animal programmes. She has a background in equine, deer, sheep and beef, and originally studied at Taratahi Ag Training Centre before becoming a mixed animal practice veterinary nurse and large animal vet tech. As well as agriculture, veterinary nursing, rural animal technology and tertiary education, Steph has also studied equine quite extensively, including through NZ Pony Clubs. Steph is an H-Certificate instructor and B-Certificate examiner. Steph has been nominated in 2013, 2014 and 2015 for the annual OP Excellence in Teaching Award, and received this award in 2014

Kia ora koutou. I am the School of Veterinary Nursing's Placement Co-ordinator. I graduated from Otago Polytechnic in 2012 with a Diploma in Vet Nursing. I have worked in local vet clinics as a nurse since my own clinical work placement back in 2009. I have a real appreciation for the importance of my role to support our students entering this industry and the supervisors in the workplaces mentoring them.
I have a teenage son and live in Dunedin with a house full of animals. While I love all creatures, my passion is working with birds. We are so lucky to have such an abundance and variety of our native wildlife right here on our doorstep here in Otago.