Online Course · Animal Welfare and Health

Begin Your Journey Into Animal Welfare

Whether you volunteer already or not, welfare work needs knowledge. Six certificates cover animal care, science, health, disease and welfare. Rescue and rehoming work sits at the end of it.

From €29a week, no deposit
12 Monthsof course access
~360 Hoursof study
Six Partscare to welfare
At a Glance

Course Snapshot

Study AreaAnimal Welfare and Health
DeliveryOnline, study at your own pace
Duration12 Months Access, about 360 hours
StructureSix certificates in one course
AssessmentNo exams, ever
PaymentsFrom €29 per week
Comes with
  • Dogs and other species both covered
  • First aid and emergency care included
  • Natural and holistic health covered
  • Named animal care tutors on hand
Who It’s For

Why Do This Course

Welfare Rests On Biology

Cells, organs and systems come before any welfare judgement.

Know Sick From Sore

Disease, inflammation and recovery each get their own topics.

Proceeds Go To The ISPCA

Part of every course fee funds rehabilitation and adoption work.

Where The Skills Fit

Where These Skills Could Take You

Shelters, rescues and wildlife centres run on care staff. Most people start by volunteering and stay on.

Animal Shelter Assistant

Feeding, cleaning and daily welfare checks.

Wildlife Centre Worker

Intake, care and release work.

Animal Care Technician

Handling, husbandry and health monitoring.

Animal Rescue Volunteer Coordinator

Organise the people who do the rescuing.

Pet Welfare Educator

Teach owners what good care looks like.

Animal Rehoming Coordinator

Match animals to the right household.

Kennel and Cattery Assistant

Care for boarders through their stay.

Animal Health Assistant

Support a clinic or veterinary team.

Roles where these skills are useful, not promised outcomes. Every employer is different. Many of these roles start with volunteering or ask for further study.

The Course

What You'll Learn

Care and science first, then health, then welfare itself.

01
Certificate in Animal Care
Daily husbandry, dogs and beyond.
Introduction to Animal Care
Anatomy and Physiology
Husbandry of Dogs
Husbandry of Other Species
Common Diseases of Dogs
Common Diseases of Other Species
First Aid, Accidents and Emergencies
Handling and Safety
Veterinary Health Care and Procedures
Training and Behaviour
02
Certificate in Animal Science
The body, system by system.
Introduction to Animal Science
Cellular Structure and Function
Tissues and Organ Systems
Skeletal System
Muscular System
Circulatory System
Respiratory System
Digestive System
Nervous System
Reproduction in Animals
03
Certificate in Animal Health
Keeping animals well, and treating them when not.
Embarking on Animal Health
Common Diseases in Animals
Nutrition and Diet for Animals
Preventive Care and Vaccinations in Animals
Parasite Control and Management
Animal Behaviour and Stress Management
Reproductive Health in Animals
Emergency First Aid for Animals
Specialised Care of Animals
Health and Safety
Advances in Veterinary Surgeries
Medical Interventions
04
Certificate in Animal Health & Diseases
Spotting illness and following it through.
Foundations of Animal Health and Disease
Detecting Disease
Categorising Animal Ailments
Unveiling Disease Origins
Navigating Treatment Strategies
Dynamics of Inflammation
Fever's Role in Animal Immunity
Journey of Healing
Care and Recovery
Decoding Cellular Transformations
05
Certificate in Animal Natural Health
The gentler end of animal wellness.
Natural Approaches to Animal Wellness
Recognising Symptoms of Discomfort
Health through Natural Nutrition
Holistic Health Care
Addressing Health Issues
Common Ailments
Managing Health Challenges
06
Certificate in Animal Welfare and Wellbeing
Protection, rescue and rehoming.
Introduction to Animal Welfare
Animal Psychology
Strategies for Management
Welfare and Protection Services
Welfare and Rescue Services
Promoting Animal Welfare
Welfare needs in Animals
Improving Animal Welfare
Balancing Animal Welfare Needs
Included

What You’ll Get

In the Course

  • Care, husbandry, handling, safety
  • Science, cells to organ systems
  • Health, disease, first aid, recovery
  • Welfare, protection, rescue, rehoming

As a Student

  • Self paced, about 360 hours
  • No exams, none at all
  • Access, 12 months from enrolment
  • Guarantee, 14 days to change your mind
Why This One

What Makes It Different

Three things worth knowing.

01
Six Certificates, One Course

Care, science, health, diseases, natural health and welfare.

02
Tutors With Names

Rachel H and Kris D are your listed animal care tutors.

03
Infection Control Covered

Policies and procedures, plus admin work for veterinary services.

The Credentials

What You'll Earn

COURSE

Certificate of Achievement

Issued by the college once you finish

Certificate Of Achievement

Yours once the modules are done.

CPD Credits

Credits you can put toward professional development.

Industry Backing

ICOES and the CPD Standards Office stand behind the course.

Getting Started

How It Works

Step one

Tell Us The Aim

A shelter, a wildlife centre, or a clinic.

Step two

Ask The Questions

An advisor walks you through the six parts.

Step three

Sort Payments

Upfront, or weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

Step four

Start Learning

Log in and meet your tutor.

The Investment

How to Get Started

From €29 / week
Pay upfront, or spread it on an interest free plan.
No deposit to start
No credit check
Weekly, fortnightly or monthly
14 day money back guarantee
Enquire Now
Good to Know

Common Questions

Do I need science behind me?

None needed. The animal science part starts at the cell.

How long does it take?

About 360 hours of study, with access for a year.

Are there exams?

None, ever. You work through the modules at your pace.

Is it only about dogs?

No. Husbandry and disease are covered across other species too.

Does any of my fee go to charity?

Yes. A portion goes to the ISPCA for rehabilitation and adoption.

Is this a QQI award?

It is not. Not accredited by QQI, and not a national qualification.

What if it is not for me?

There is a 14 day money back guarantee, less the admin fee.

Delivered By

About the College

This course is run by The Career Academy, an online college.

The college donates a portion of all course proceeds to the ISPCA. The money goes toward rehabilitation and adoption programs.

Online collegeICOES accredited centreNamed animal care tutorsSupports the ISPCA
The Ones Nobody Came For

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Picture the kennel run at feeding time, and you doing the round.

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