Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
2 hours ago
Riva-Lee Habib is currently studying the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing at EIT.
A visit by a service dog while Riva-Lee Habib was in hospital as a child, sparked a love for animals that has seen her study veterinary nursing at EIT.
Riva-Lee (Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti iwi) was born and raised in Tolaga Bay and attended Tolaga Bay Area School & Kahukuranui.
The 18-year-old says that she was fairly ill with a life-long condition as a child and spent some time in hospital. It was there that she received a visit from a service dog that changed her outlook on life.
“It made me realise how happy they made me and how they helped me get through it.”
Riva-Lee, who is currently studying Year 1 of the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing, says that growing up around animals also helped foster her love for them.
An incentive for entering the programme was that she received a Year-13 Scholarship from EIT. The Year 13 Scholarship, which is offered annually by EIT, covers one year of tuition fees. The Scholarship supports school leavers across the Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti regions to study any one of EIT’s degrees or selected level 5 diploma programmes that lead into a degree by providing one year FREE study.
She also won a Walter William McLean Educational Trust Scholarship, which is funded by Gisborne’s Gowerville Station, the farm once owned by McLean. Another honour was the Prime Minister’s Vocational Excellence Award.
One of the things that Riva-Lee loves about the programme is how hands-on it is.
“They have us doing a lot of practicals and working with animals. I also enjoy the friendships we make and the lecturers are there to support us.”
Next year will see Riva-Lee proceed to the second year of the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing , and she is looking forward to going on a placement in Gisborne as part of the programme. She will then continue on to the final year of the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing (Level 7).
But that is just the start of her plans as she plans to then enrol in the Bachelor of Business Studies through EIT with the aim of opening her own vet clinic on the East Coast.
“I want to open up a clinic because there is not much access for people on the East Coast to get their animals checked out.”
Asked why she loves animals so much, Riva-Lee says: “It’s just how pure they are. People may see animals as vicious, but it’s just the upbringing that they have. Once you actually get to connect with them, they can be sweet and comfortable.”
Emma Martin, EIT’s Veterinary Nursing Programme Co-ordinator said: “It has been a pleasure having Riva-Lee join our programme. Her long-term goal of making animal healthcare more accessible across the East Coast highlights her strong commitment to improving animal health and welfare while supporting her local community. Riva-Lee has built meaningful connections with her classmates and is an excellent team player. Her dedication to her studies is evident, as she frequently participates in study groups after class, and this effort is reflected in her work and academic success”
“Riva-Lee has also made a strong impression during her work placements in Gisborne, where she has effectively applied her learning in a practical setting. She has seamlessly integrated into the team, contributing with enthusiasm while enjoying the experience. “
“We look forward to seeing Riva-Lee continue to grow in the degree programme and become a strong advocate for her patients, clients, and the Veterinary Nursing profession.”
