HISTORY OF THE PROFESSIONS

A Brief History of Veterinary Nursing and Veterinary Technology

Veterinary nursing and veterinary technology in Aotearoa New Zealand have developed through clinical practice, workplace learning, formal education, professional organisation and efforts to secure recognition. International developments have also influenced their education, terminology and regulatory arrangements.

These professions have connected but distinct histories. Companion animal, large animal, rural and equine practice each contribute to the wider story, alongside other areas of animal healthcare.

This page presents selected milestones rather than a complete account. We are seeking contributions to strengthen its coverage of large animal veterinary technicians and other practitioners whose histories are not yet adequately represented.

Early developments in formal education

1908 | England
The Canine Nurses Institute is established in London, providing an early example of organised education for people caring for dogs.

1961 | United Kingdom
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) approves an animal nursing auxiliary training scheme, a significant milestone in the development of formally recognised veterinary nursing education.

1961 | United States
SUNY Delhi establishes its veterinary technology programme. The institution identifies it as the first college programme of its kind in the United States.

1965 | United Kingdom
The British Veterinary Nursing Association is established. It subsequently uses the name British Veterinary Nursing Auxiliaries Association before returning to its original name.

Professional organisation and recognition

1981 | United States
The North American Veterinary Technician Association is established, creating a national organisation through which veterinary technicians can contribute to professional issues. It later becomes the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America.

1984 | United Kingdom
The RCVS adopts the title veterinary nurse in place of registered animal nursing auxiliary.

1991 | United Kingdom
An amendment to Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 clarifies the legal position of veterinary nurses undertaking specified treatment and minor surgery under veterinary direction.

1992 | Aotearoa New Zealand
The New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA) is established to promote veterinary nursing and provide professional representation.

Qualifications and regulatory frameworks

1996 | Aotearoa New Zealand
The National Diploma in Veterinary Nursing is registered on the national qualifications framework. Qualification registration and the dates on which individual institutions begin teaching a programme are separate milestones.

2002 | United Kingdom
The RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council is established, replacing the Veterinary Nurses Committee. The first cohort also completes a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Veterinary Nursing.

2007 | United Kingdom
The RCVS introduces a non-statutory Register of Veterinary Nurses, developing the framework for professional standards and accountability.

2012 | Aotearoa New Zealand
The first graduating class of Massey University’s Bachelor of Veterinary Technology attends its graduation ceremony. The programme, launched in 2009, establishes a New Zealand degree pathway in veterinary technology.

2014 | Aotearoa New Zealand
NZVNA establishes a working committee to develop professional regulation for veterinary nurses.

2015 | Aotearoa New Zealand
The Allied Veterinary Professional Regulatory Council (AVPRC) launches the voluntary register for veterinary nursing and allied professions in August.

2015 | United Kingdom
The RCVS Supplemental Royal Charter formalises its responsibility for regulating veterinary nurses and recognises registered veterinary nurses as associates of the College.

Expanding educational pathways

2017 | United Kingdom
The University of Glasgow launches its MSc in Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing, adding a postgraduate pathway for professional development.

2019 | Aotearoa New Zealand
Unitec announces New Zealand’s first Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing degree.

2020 | Aotearoa New Zealand
EIT introduces its Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing. A delivery partnership with Otago Polytechnic also enables students based in the South Island to access the EIT qualification.

2021 | Aotearoa New Zealand
The New Zealand Diploma in Rural Animal Veterinary Technology (Level 6) is developed as part of a review of animal healthcare qualifications. The review also introduces the New Zealand Diploma in Animal Healthcare Technology, with strands in canine and equine rehabilitation technology and equine dental technology.

2023 | Aotearoa New Zealand
AVPRC becomes an independent charitable trust, establishing a separate organisational basis for its voluntary regulatory work.

2024–2025 | Aotearoa New Zealand
The New Zealand Diploma in Rural Animal Veterinary Technology is reviewed, with revised qualification requirements published in 2025.

Large animal and rural veterinary technology

Large animal and rural veterinary technology need fuller coverage within this account. Their history includes the development of practical expertise, workplace training, educational pathways, professional networks and standards of care.

We are seeking contributions from large animal veterinary technicians and the LAVT Group to document these developments, including the people and initiatives that helped establish and advance their work.

Qualification dates alone cannot tell this story. The experience and contribution of practitioners working before formal programmes were available also deserve recognition.

Understanding these histories

The establishment of courses, qualifications, associations and registers provides important milestones. These developments also depended on practitioners, educators, workplace mentors and professional advocates whose contributions may be less visible in institutional records.

Veterinary nursing and technology have developed within changing expectations about care, expertise, gender and professional authority. Their histories include both the growth of knowledge and the work of securing recognition for that knowledge.

International comparisons require care. Similar titles can describe different qualifications, responsibilities and regulatory arrangements. Veterinary nurses, technicians and technologists share many interests, but their histories and professional identities should not be treated as interchangeable.

Educational development and professional recognition do not always advance together. Further qualifications can extend knowledge and judgement without automatically changing legal authority, workplace responsibilities or remuneration. A history of these professions therefore includes achievements, continuing constraints and the efforts of practitioners to shape their future.

Earlier qualifications and workplace learning remain part of that history. New educational pathways do not erase the contribution of those who qualified or developed their expertise through previous arrangements.

Contributing to this history

Do you have historical information, photographs or personal accounts to share?

We welcome contributions from veterinary nurses, technicians, technologists, allied practitioners, educators and others who have helped develop animal healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We particularly welcome material that broadens the perspectives represented here, including large animal and rural practice, Māori practitioners, and other communities and areas of work that are less visible in existing accounts.

Where possible, please include dates and supporting records such as newsletters, programme documents, association minutes or contemporary publications. Personal recollections are also valuable and can be identified as such.

Please contact info@avprc.org.nz.

Sources and further reading

International developments

Developments in Aotearoa New Zealand

Last reviewed: September 2026.