The Centre is broken down into several specialist animal areas, including a nocturnal room that provides an insight into behaviour comparisons with the animals kept in the diurnal (non-nocturnal) rooms.

The exotic and amphibian areas house a range of snakes, lizards, tortoises, turtles, frogs, newts and toads. For those interested in fish we also have cold and tropical fish tanks.

The paddock areas are home to the llamas, sheep, goats and ponies. Students also have access to farm animals and horses to increase their practical experience with large animals. The farm enterprises include a high yielding dairy herd and state-of-the-art milking parlour, beef cattle, calf and replacement stock, sheep flock and breeding pigs.

Animal health checks can be carried out in our veterinary nursing room. This area is equipped with a range of veterinary equipment, including an x-ray machine, resuscitation and surgical equipment, providing an excellent learning resource for both vet nursing and animal management students. The isolation room provides the opportunity for students to practice methods of isolation and barrier nursing techniques in a real-life environment.

Dog Grooming

The Centre has a grooming area that is the base for day-release dog grooming courses. Study options range from leisure courses for those interested in grooming their own pets to nationally recognised qualifications for those wishing to run their own business. Dogs coming in for grooming stay in the purpose-built kennel and cattery block. You’ll find more information about the grooming services available to the public here.