NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATE IN RURAL ANIMAL HEALTHCARE ASSISTING (LEVEL 4)- RURAL ANIMAL STRAND

Introduction

Coverage: This assessment consists of three parts theory and one part practical and covers topics on rural animal anatomy and physiology.

Purpose The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to animal nutrition, and basic anatomy and physiology to support rural animal patient care.

THEORY and PRACTICAL: When you can demonstrate that you have a good knowledge of the subject, you will be assessed as competent and will be awarded a pass for the module. If you do not pass you may re-sit the question (s) that were incorrect. Your tutor has the option of requesting either a written or an oral assessment. Your skill level will be assessed by your tutor, supervising vet, vet tech, vet nurse or farm manager. Any skills that are assessed as not yet competent will be reassessed after further training. Practical tasks can be completed in a large veterinary practice and on a dairy, beef, sheep, deer or goat farm. The task stated in the assessment are checked off by the assessor once there is adequate evidence of competency provided by both the verifier and student

Note to assessor: This is a Level 4 module. Level 4 graduates are expected to have the following knowledge, skills and application. These describe what a graduate at a particular level is expected to know, do and be. The term application encompasses responsibility, behaviours, attitudes, attributes and competence.

Knowledge: Broad operational or technical and theoretical knowledge within a specific field of work

Skills: Select and apply a range of solutions to familiar and sometimes unfamiliar problems. Select and apply a range of standard and non-standard processes relevant to the field of work or study,

Application: complete self-management of learning and performance within defined contexts. Some responsibility for the management of learning and performance of others.

Special Notes:

1. For credit, evidence must in accordance with statutory and industry requirements contained in the following documents.

Relevant and current Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) Codes of Welfare and Codes of Recommendations and Minimum Standards, available at https://www.mpi.govt.nz under animal welfare

Relevant New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) standards, available from NZVA, PO Box 11-212, Manners Street, Wellington (https://www.vets.org.nz) (referred to in this unit standard as standard procedures).

Animal Welfare Act 1999, Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, and any subsequent amendments.

2. Underpinning knowledge

The following areas of knowledge underpin performance of the elements in the module.  This assessment has an oral component to check your understanding of the subject.

Instruction

1. Write your full name, phone number and address on the front page.
2. Write your answer either in Word Doc or Google doc after each question and submit them either electronically or in physical copies.
3. You are given two opportunities to re-sit/re-sub to a part or the whole assessment again.
4. You can ask your tutor/assessor for any question you don’t understand or have difficulty reading.
5. You can always appeal an assessment decision by simply talking to your tutor/assessor.
6. This is an open book assessment, except for Task 1C. You can use any source information, but referencing is
7. You can use any reference, but you MUST use your own words.

Learning Outcomes

This is an open book assessment (except for Task D) and covers the following learning outcomes:

Task 1A: The Cell L.O. 1, 2

 Purpose

This task is aimed at testing your knowledge of the structure and function of the animal cell as part of your study in anatomy and physiology of rural animals. A solid understanding of the cell and its organelles provides a strong foundation for understanding how body systems work together to maintain health in rural animals.

After completing this task, you will be able to demonstrate your ability to:

• Visually represent a typical animal cell
• Correctly identify and label cell organelles
• Explain how each organelle functions and how they work together to support the life and function of the cell

Instruction

1. Draw a typical animal cell.

• It is recommended that you use a clear and neat layout so you will be able show the overall shape and structure of the cell.
• The use of coloured pencils or pens to distinguish different organelles is also highly recommended.

2. Label the following key organelles:

• Cell membrane
• Cytoplasm
• Nucleus
• Mitochondria
• Ribosomes
• Endoplasmic reticulum (rough and smooth)
• Golgi apparatus
• Lysosomes
• Vacuole (if present in the example)

3. Explain the role of each labeled organelle.

• Write a brief description beside or below the drawing (or on a separate page).
• Include how the organelle contributes to the overall function of the cell.

4. Describe the relationships between organelles.

• In a short paragraph, explain how the following organelles work together as a system (e.g., how proteins are made and transported, how energy is produced, etc.).
  o Mitochondria and the cell itself
  o Ribosomes and rough endoplasmic reticulum
  o Nucleus and endoplasmic reticulum
  o Smooth endoplasmic reticulum and rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
  o RER and Golgi apparatus
  o Golgi apparatus and lysosomes

5. This is an individual assessment. You may use books, in-house learner guides, or online sources.

6. Ask your tutor or the assessor if you need help understanding the task instructions.

Draw and label your cell on this page:

Briefly describe the function (s) of the organelles:

In a short paragraph, explain how the following organelles work together as a system (e.g., how proteins are made and transported, how energy is produced, etc.).

• Mitochondria and the cell itself
• Ribosomes and rough endoplasmic reticulum
• Nucleus and endoplasmic reticulum
• Smooth endoplasmic reticulum and rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
• RER and Golgi apparatus
• Golgi apparatus and lysosomes

Task 1B: Integration of the Body Systems       L.O. 1,2

Purpose:

This purpose of this task is to measure how well you understand normal (healthy) body functions in sheep and cattle, specifically with reference to how anatomical and physiological systems interact under a variety of conditions. Note: this task assumes an absence of pathological or disease conditions.

The purpose of this task is to:

• Determine how well you are able to apply the principles of ruminant physiology to real-life situations requiring practical, integrated approaches.
• Measure your level of understanding in regard to how the body systems interact to maintain normal body functions, including, among others, digestion, movement, reproduction and thermoregulation.
• Provide insight into the considerations required of an animal healthcare assistant in situations requiring holistic approaches.

Instructions

1. Study carefully the 10 scenarios provided. Each describes a practical animal-health situation involving a cow or a sheep.
2. Select 5 of the 10 scenarios to elaborate on further.
3. For each of the 5 scenarios you have chosen, write a well-reasoned explanation for the situation described.
4. Use anatomical and physiological terminology appropriate for a Level 4 learner.
5. Be sure your answer both identifies underlying physiological processes and shows how multiple body systems (digestive, muscular, nervous, endocrine, circulatory, etc.) are involved in the animal’s overall health, behaviour and/or response to treatment.

Scenarios:

Scenario 1:

Having grazed on pasture for 8 hours, a 500kg cow lies down and begins to ruminate. Describe the physiological processes involved in the rumination, from the ingestion of grass to the absorption of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Be sure to describe the respective roles of the digestive, muscular, nervous, and circulatory systems.

Scenario 2:

A sheep is exposed to an ambient temperature of 35°C for several hours. Explain the physiological mechanisms involved in maintaining the animal’s body temperature, emphasising in particular the integumentary, respiratory, circulatory and nervous systems.

Scenario 3:

Explain the roles, respectively, of the endocrine, nervous, muscular and circulatory systems in the milk let-down reflex that occurs when a lamb stimulates the teats of a lactating ewe.

Scenario 4:

Explain how the reproductive, endocrine, and nervous systems interact when a cow undergoes oestrus. Include in your answer a description of the organs involved and their respective roles, as well as an account of any relevant hormonal feedback mechanisms.

Scenario 5:

A cow is suffering from dehydration as a result of heat stress. Describe how, in this situation, the integumentary, urinary and endocrine systems all interact to retain as much water as possible in the animal’s body.

Scenario 6:

A sheep is exposed to a bacterial pathogen. How do the immune, circulatory and endocrine systems act to keep the animal in homeostasis?

Scenario 7:

Having just finished grazing, a 2-year-old ewe has consumed a large amount of hay. You then monitor the animal’s physiological processes. Describe the movement of the feed through the ewe’s body and the changes that take place from ingestion to nutrient absorption and waste elimination. Be sure to describe all major body systems and physiological processes involved.

Scenario 8:

You look on as a healthy adult ewe in oestrus stands as a ram mounts her. This takes place in a managed setting, and the mating is successful. Describe the physiological and anatomical processes involved in this reproductive behaviour, beginning with an account of the ewe’s hormonal cycle and finishing with the successful mating. Explain how the animals’ body systems work in conjunction during the event.

Scenario 9:

A blood sample is taken from a sheep and analysed for nutritional parameters. Itemise the components of the sheep’s blood and describe the importance of those components to maintaining good animal health.

Scenario 10:

A dairy cow is being given high-energy feed to optimise milk production. Explain how the digestive and endocrine systems act to regulate energy use.

Task 1C: Organ Parts Identification                   L.O. 1, 2

Purpose:

This task is designed to allow you to demonstrate, by locating and identifying key structures in major organs and body systems during animal dissection, your familiarity with the anatomy and physiology of cattle and sheep. You will be expected to recognise and describe the function of anatomical features found in the following systems:

• cardiovascular (heart)
• respiratory (lungs)
• digestive (liver, stomach)
• urinary (kidney)
• reproductive (male and female organs)
• integumentary/musculoskeletal (hoof)

Good observation and handling skills are important for those involved in rural animal healthcare, so an accurate knowledge of the location and structure of these organs in actual specimens is essential.

Instruction:

1. You will be given an answer sheet and then presented with a number of dissected cattle and/or sheep organs. Parts of each will be indicated with numbers or tags.
2. Identify the indicated structures on the following organs:

• Heart – 4 parts
• Lungs – 2 parts
• Liver – 2 parts
• Stomach (multi-chambered ruminant stomach) – 4 parts
• Kidney – 3 parts
• Male and female reproductive organs – 7 parts

3. In the correct space on your answer sheet, write the name of each numbered or tagged part.
4. Explain in one or two sentences the function of each identified structure, briefly state its function. Be clear and concise.
5. As this is an individual practical assessment, you must work independently and with no recourse to textbooks, notes, or electronic devices. You may ask your tutor for clarification of instructions only.
6. You have 60 minutes to complete the test.

Task 2 : Practical – Ear Tagging                         LO1, LO2

Purpose:

This practical session aims to teach and assess your understanding and skills in ear tagging calves, lambs, or kids as part of animal identification and record-keeping in farm management. Ear tagging requires not only correct technique but also an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the ear to ensure tags are placed in the correct location, avoiding major blood vessels, cartilage ridges, and nerves that may cause unnecessary pain or complications.

This skill is essential in your role as a Rural Animal Healthcare Assistant, ensuring accurate records, supporting responsible farm management, and safeguarding animal wellbeing.

The “Practical Skills Guidelines” contains instructions, evidence requirements and performance criteria applicable to each practical skill required to complete this programme. The learner outcomes related to this module are embedded in Skills from the following category or categories:

You must gather evidence of the completion of these practical tasks while carrying out the Skills stated above, and your assessor will complete the following checklist once that evidence has been assessed.

Your assessor will reach a competency decision regarding your performance at carrying out these tasks based on the evidence you provide, and give feedback in the space below: