Central College of Animal Studies

🐾Events, Open Days & Getting Involved at CCOAS🐾

At CCOAS, we regularly take part in events and open days where our students and staff showcase veterinary nursing skills and engage with the public. These experiences offer a fantastic insight into veterinary nursing and what you can expect to learn during your time with us. We also provide opportunities to take part in practical sessions at events and shows, giving you hands-on exposure to the profession.

We also visit local schools, colleges, and clubs to deliver talks, mini practical sessions, and Q&A opportunities, giving students the chance to have a go and learn more about becoming a future veterinary nurse.

If you’re interested in veterinary nursing or would like to arrange a workshop day, please contact us on 01473 555050 or email [email protected] for more information

🐾🎓 A Day of Learning at Cave Referrals! 🎓🐾

Last month, some of our Exeter students had the fantastic opportunity to visit Cave Referrals on 14th July for an exciting and educational day behind the scenes of a specialist veterinary referral hospital. 🏥🐶🐱

Our students were treated to an insightful tour of the facilities, where they had the chance to see the hospital in action and gain a better understanding of the different services and specialist equipment available within a referral setting.

One of the highlights of the visit was getting to see the MRI scanner and learning more about how advanced diagnostic imaging can help veterinary teams investigate complex cases and provide patients with the best possible care. 🩻🔬

The class also had the opportunity to take part in CPR training, giving them valuable practical experience and an insight into how veterinary teams respond during emergencies. ❤️‍🩹

Visits like this are a fantastic way for our students to connect the theory and practical skills they develop at college with real-world veterinary practice. They also provide an invaluable opportunity to learn from experienced veterinary professionals and see the variety of career paths and clinical environments available within the profession.

A huge thank you to everyone at Cave Referrals for welcoming our students, sharing your knowledge and giving them such a memorable and informative day! 👏💙

🚨🐾 Would you know what to do in a pet emergency?

Our Pet First Aid Course, delivered by Central College of Animal Studies, is designed to give you the confidence and skills to act when it matters most.
Perfect for pet owners, dog walkers and animal professionals, this 2½-hour, in-person course is taught by Registered Veterinary Nurses and includes hands-on practical sessions.

You'll learn how to:
✔ Recognise when to seek veterinary care
✔ Safely handle and transport pets in an emergency
✔ Treat common injuries such as cuts, burns and stings
✔ Perform basic resuscitation
✔ Apply bandages and build a pet first aid kit

📅 Upcoming course dates:
• 12th August – 2:00pm & 7:00pm
• 19th August – 2:00pm & 7:00pm
• 8th September – 7:00pm
• 22nd September – 7:00pm

⚠️ Spaces are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment!
🍂 More autumn course dates will be announced soon, so stay tuned!

To book your place or find out more:
📞 Call 01473 555050
📧 Email [email protected]

🚨🐾 Would you know what to do in a pet emergency?

Our Pet First Aid Course, delivered by Central College of Animal Studies, is designed to give you the confidence and skills to act when it matters most.

Perfect for pet owners, dog walkers and animal professionals, this 2½-hour, in-person course is taught by Registered Veterinary Nurses and includes hands-on practical sessions.

You'll learn how to:
✔ Recognise when to seek veterinary care
✔ Safely handle and transport pets in an emergency
✔ Treat common injuries such as cuts, burns and stings
✔ Perform basic resuscitation
✔ Apply bandages and build a pet first aid kit

📅 Upcoming course dates:
• 12th August – 2:00pm & 7:00pm
• 19th August – 2:00pm & 7:00pm
• 8th September – 7:00pm
• 22nd September – 7:00pm

⚠️ Spaces are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment!
🍂 More autumn course dates will be announced soon, so stay tuned!
To book your place or find out more:
📞 Call 01473 555050
📧 Email [email protected]

🏥 Hands-On Learning at CCOAS

At CCOAS, learning goes far beyond the classroom. Students gain real, practical experience in veterinary environments throughout their training, working in settings that reflect the realities of the profession. This hands-on approach ensures that learning is not just theoretical, but directly connected to the skills needed in practice.
By combining classroom knowledge with real clinical experience, students are able to build confidence, develop essential veterinary skills, and gain a strong professional understanding of animal care. This method of training helps prepare them for the demands of the industry from day one.

As a result, graduates leave CCOAS not only qualified but truly job-ready, with valuable real-world experience that gives them a strong foundation for a successful career in veterinary nursing.

If you’re interested in veterinary nursing, please visit our website: https://ccoas.org.uk/ or contact us on 01473 555050 or [email protected].

🦔🦉 Our Exeter Year 1 Student Veterinary Nurses recently had the fantastic opportunity to visit West Hatch Wildlife Centre to learn more about careers in wildlife veterinary nursing and rehabilitation.

The students enjoyed a guided tour of the centre and an informative talk covering the vital work involved in wildlife care, treatment and rehabilitation. It was a valuable insight into the dedication and expertise required to support injured and orphaned wildlife.

A huge thank you to West Hatch Wildlife Centre for hosting us and sharing their knowledge and experience with our future veterinary nurses. 💙🐾

Ready to advance your career in small animal nursing? 🐾

We’re excited to now offer the Emergency & Critical Care Nursing qualification — designed to help you build on your licence to practise and deliver outstanding, evidence-based care to emergency and critical care patients.
This programme will deepen your clinical knowledge, strengthen your practical decision-making, and grow your confidence in supporting both patients and colleagues in high-pressure environments. While predominantly theory-based, you’ll reflect on your own professional practice to develop as a skilled ECC nurse.

📚 Modules include:
• Emergency triage of the veterinary patient
• Supporting the critically ill patient
• Diagnostic procedures, anaesthesia & pain management
• Cardiovascular & respiratory nursing
• Toxicity & gastrointestinal cases
• Haematological & genitourinary conditions
• Neuromuscular, neurological & endocrine nursing
⏱ Total Qualification Time: 450 hours (5 hours a week)
🎓 Guided Learning Hours: 185 hours
Format: Online learning

Take the next step in your Emergency & Critical Care journey.
📩 [email protected]
📞 01473 555050

A career in veterinary nursing is ideal for anyone passionate about animal care and welfare. It’s more than just a job—it’s a chance to make a real difference in the lives of animals every single day.

At CCOAS, we help you turn that passion into a profession through practical training, industry knowledge, and real-world experience in veterinary environments. Our courses are designed to combine classroom learning with hands-on skills, preparing you for a successful career in the veterinary field.

If you’re ready to take the next step into veterinary nursing, visit our website: https://ccoas.org.uk/ or contact us on 01473 555050 or [email protected]

Meet Zoe from our Class of 2015 🐾

Since qualifying as a veterinary nurse, Zoe has progressed into a Nursing Manager and Clinical Coach role. She now leads a team of qualified nurses, veterinary care assistants, and student nurses—helping to support and inspire the next generation of veterinary professionals.

Are you interested in becoming a veterinary nurse like Zoe? Contact us on [email protected] to kick start your veterinary nursing career.

🌞A sunny Suffolk Show🌞

We've just returned from the Suffolk Show, and what a brilliant event it was this year! The sun was shining, and we had a wonderful two days meeting members of the public and getting to know some of their four-legged friends, too.

Visitors to our stand could try out being a vet nurse for the day, and get stuck in with activities like bandaging, resuscitation and preparing for surgery. Our ‘mix and match’ games also proved to be a big hit!

A few of our past students joined us at the stand to talk about their training and explain more about a career in veterinary nursing. If you're interested in learning more about our exciting range of veterinary nursing courses, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Karen Lee – “We felt very lucky to be asked to attend the Suffolk Show again this year. It is always a fantastic opportunity to speak to potential future veterinary nurses from across the country.

“We completed over 200 ‘mock’ surgeries and bandaging practicals – and hopefully inspired lots of visitors to consider a career in veterinary nursing.”