Study the Certificate in Wild Animal Health Care and gain a detailed insight into the areas of animal health and disease, their behaviour, vertebrate zoology, wildlife management and wildlife conservation.
The health of wild animals is important, whether they live in the wild or in captivity. To ensure they receive appropriate and suitable care and their health is maintained, it is important to understand more about their health and needs.
Modules
Note that each module in the Qualification - Certificate in Wild Animal Health Care VEN027 is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.
PROVIDING ANIMAL HEALTH CARE
There are a number of services which are dedicated to providing animal health care, and within these services there are a variety of roles which all contribute to saving and treating animals. Within these rescue organisations there are a number of roles including; Rescue Officers, Ambulance Drivers, Inspectors, Veterinary Surgeons, Veterinary Nurses, Rehabilitation Staff, Behaviourists, General Assistants, Office Staff and of course the team who deal with any emergency phone calls. This is only one type of organisation, so we will now discuss more services which provide animal health care.
Veterinary services, or animal hospitals, provide a number of opportunities within animal health care starting with the most obvious, veterinary surgeon. It takes a number of years to train as a veterinary surgeon and working in a general practice they will be the ones to check over the animals, diagnose and advise treatment. Specialised vets will be able to take general appointments but may have set up practice to work within a specialised area, such as orthopaedics or may be species specialised, for example reptiles or zoo animals. Veterinary nurses will generally assist the veterinary surgeon in any procedures such as surgery, preparing the animal and tools. A nurse will take blood, faecal or urine samples if required, complete x-rays and keep administration records up to date. They will also look after the animal during its time in the practice, completing duties such as cleaning, feeding and administration of medicines. Animal assistants may also be present in some practices. Assistants are not quite as qualified as a nurse and will complete husbandry duties, answer phone calls and administration duties.
Veterinary Pathology Laboratory is another service which contributes to the world of animal health care. Veterinary pathologists are highly trained doctors within veterinary medicine who diagnose conditions or disease through analysis of bodily tissues and fluids, such as blood or urine. Working alongside the pathologist there will the presence of a number of assistants and also office staff.
Veterinary Pharmaceutical services are available to provide the animal health care industry with medicines, offering new medicines on the market and equipment. Generally, they should require some type of qualification within animal health or medicine, but they will also have a team for sales and advice.
Government control services must be in place and these regulations do vary from country to country. In terms of health, these departments place control over movement of animals globally, allowing quarantine animal services to take the animal until the required time is up. This reduces risk factor of disease which otherwise could have detrimental effects on other animal and humans within that country. These government departments will also control agricultural practices and movement, minimising the risk of disease. They will also place limits on journey times and rules of transporting live animals.
Animal Shelters, both government and charitable organisations, will tend to the health and welfare needs of the animals in their care. Animal shelters will provide veterinary care to animals which require treatment, many providing microchipping and neutering before the animal is rehomed. Full health checks are completed on any new arrival, treated if necessary and observed throughout their stay.
Other services such as groomers, behaviourists, zookeepers or anyone working within the animal care industry, all play a vital role in the health of animals. They will advise if they feel, in their professional opinion, that there may be a health problem with the animal. Groomers are focused on the actual coat of an animal, therefore able to check over the external body in the case of any skin sensitivities, lumps, bumps or parasites. Behaviourists are focused on the mental and physical behaviour of the animal so not only providing behavioural treatment to create a calmer animal, but may also spot behaviours which may be linked to health issues. An animals mood changes when they are in pain or feel unwell, just as a humans would, so it is important to be observant of any sudden aggression, or groans, when touched on the painful area. For example, a dog may be suffering a painful ear infection, unknown to the owner who may rub the dogs head. Instead of reacting with a yelp the dog may snap or bark aggressively due to the excessive pain.
How The Course Works
You can start the course at any time.
You study by distance learning, in the comfort of your own home. This doesn't mean you are all alone in your studies; our highly qualified and friendly tutors are there to help you every step of the way. If you have any questions at all, they are always happy to help.
To complete the course, you are required to study 6 modules each of 100 hours.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. For example, in the Animal Behaviour module, there are eight lessons, so eight assignments.
At the end of each module, there is also an examination which you can take at a time and location to suit you.
To pass the course you are required to pass all assignments and 6 exams.
If you are not sure about going straight to the certificate, you can study each of the modules mentioned as a standalone course. Please click on the links for more information.
