Veterinary medicine is steadily advancing, with greater use of science and technology for the improvement of animal welfare. There is a growing demand for veterinary professionals who have in-depth knowledge of the science, the latest research, veterinary best practice and current welfare issues.
A diverse degree
The Bachelor of Veterinary Technology is a diverse degree that will provide you with a variety of transferable skills, including how to effectively collect evidence, analyse it and develop appropriate solutions. These skills open up opportunities to work in various different industries.
As a veterinary technologist, you could work with veterinary specialists in a veterinary referral hospital, or with government and private organisations to help maintain and protect the health and welfare of wildlife, as well as exotic, companion, and production animals.
There is also a high demand for the skills you gain in the areas of public health and food safety.
Veterinary technologists work with pathologists, as animal behaviourists, production animal consultants, and senior advisers in regulatory industry bodies. The study of veterinary technology will teach you how to be relevant to contemporary veterinary practice.
Unique
Massey University is the only university in New Zealand to offer veterinary degrees. The Bachelor of Veterinary Technology is unique in New Zealand and is only one of four that are available internationally.
Vital skills
Your study will be challenging and rewarding. You will learn how to become a problem solver and critical thinker. These are vital skills for any career.
Real world experience
Veterinary Technology students are trained alongside Massey University’s veterinary science students in a clinical setting in the state-of-the-art veterinary hospital. A new wildlife hospital (Wildbase) opened in 2016 – the only such facility at a New Zealand university, where we treat many of our endangered species. A 24-hour pet emergency centre and a newly built equine hospital complement the existing veterinary clinic for companion and production animals (e.g. sheep, dairy and beef cows). Our staff are leading the world in their research and work with all types of animals.
Where does a career as a veterinary technologist ‘fit’?
BVetTech – Unlike studying towards a BVSC (five years to complete), studying towards the BVetTech takes less time to complete than veterinary science (three years).
With the exception of performing significant surgical procedures, diagnosing, and prescribing medication, veterinary technologists progress into roles that have perform similar tasks to veterinarians.
Veterinary nursing - Veterinary nursing generally only includes the study basic skills aimed at nursing companion animal pets such as dogs and cats. A veterinary technologist also has knowledge of a wider range of animal species including production animals (e.g. dairy and beef cows, as well as sheep), horses, as well as exotics and wildlife. Veterinary nursing is primarily useful for those who wish to work in a general small animal clinical practice performing basic nursing care or animals and the clinic. The BVetTech graduate has a broad range of options, including a much deeper understanding of animal systems, as well as a quicker career advancement. Vet technologists also work in a much wider variety of industries.
What will it be like?
You will study core veterinary sciences (tailored for veterinary technology students), as well as normal and then abnormal animal structure and function. You will be taught how to care for animals, or aide veterinarians in returning them to normal function.
Throughout years one and two, there is a focus on professional studies and attributes for veterinary technologists and problem oriented courses. Courses encourage students to apply the information learned in to real life cases and scenarios designed to develop problem solving and critical thinking.
In your third and final year, you get to choose an area of interest (track), and will do lots of work placements while you are studying. This gives you invaluable on-the-job experience. This individualised final year curriculum allows you to further explore your area of interest while ensuring wide coverage of the main veterinary species.
During the programme you will attend lectures, tutorials, practical classes and clinical sessions and undertake farm and veterinary practical work outside of university semester time.
