Wendy Jarnet

RVNS, BVN, VTS (SAIM), GDTE, GCertBus, DipFN, Cert. RAT, NZCAM (PG)

I’m a Registered Veterinary Nurse Specialist and Veterinary Technician Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine, and the creator of The Free-Range Vet Nurse. I currently work as a Senior Lecturer at a polytech, serve on the executive committee of the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA), and sit on the board of trustees for Healthy Pets New Zealand.

Since beginning my career in 2008, I’ve worked in a wide variety of roles — from veterinary receptionist and head vet nurse to clinical coach, large animal vet tech, and specialist vet nurse. My experience spans companion animal practice, mixed practice, emergency hospitals, and referral centres across New Zealand. I’ve also volunteered for desexing charities in NZ and at Te Aru Manu Veterinary Clinic in Rarotonga. Along the way, I was humbled to receive the New Zealand Vet Nurse of the Year award in 2015.

Sharing knowledge has always been one of my passions. I’ve presented at several conferences, in New Zealand and overseas and really love connecting with like-minded veterinary professionals. Ive been developing and delivering online webinars since 2020 and I’ve contributed articles to both the NZ Veterinary Nursing Journal and the UK Veterinary Nurse Journal.

I actively keep up with new research and approaches to improve the veterinary profession, with particular interests in internal medicine, oncology, low-stress handling, and vet nurse consults. My goal is always to take complex information and translate it into practical, down-to-earth tools that vets and vet nurses can use.

Outside of work, I’m a martial arts instructor, and I enjoy spending time with family and friends, travelling, and exploring new places.

A woman with blonde hair in a ponytail holding a small tabby kitten with big eyes against a plain white wall.

  • Registered Veterinary Nurse Specialist (AVPRC)

  • Listed Rural Animal Technician (AVPRC)

  • VTS in Small Animal Internal Medicine

  • Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing

  • Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education

  • Graduate Certificate in Business

  • Diploma in Feline Nursing (ISFM)

  • Certificate in Rural Animal Technology

  • Certificate in Animal Management - Pet Grooming

  • RECOVER CPR Certified (BLS and ALS)

  • Low Stress Handling Certified Silver

  • Fear Free Elite Certified

  • Clinical Coach

  • NZ Vet Nurse of the Year - 2015

Qualifications and Certifications

A veterinarian in scrubs caring for a large brindle dog with a blue bandage on its paw inside a kennel.
Logo of the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians (AIMVT), featuring a stylized veterinary symbol within a blue circle.
Veterinary Technician Specialist logo with a blue and black circular emblem featuring a dog and horse outline and the text "NATA Recognized VTS Veterinary Technician Specialist" and "Internal Medicine".
A logo of the New Zealand Veterinary Nurses Association featuring a stylized kiwi bird with the organization's initials NZVNA inside.
Logo of the New Zealand Registered Veterinary Nurse Specialist (RVNS).
Emblem of the New Zealand Rural Animal Technician (LRAT), featuring a white horse, a black sheep, a caduceus symbol, and text.
Certified ALS Rescuer badge with rescue symbol, blue background, and red text.
A certification badge indicating 'Fear Free Certified Professional' with 'Elite' at the top.
A certification badge for low stress handling of dogs and cats, featuring silhouettes of a cat and a dog with a blue and green color scheme and a 'Certified Silver' banner.