THE University’s Dookie campus, located near Shepparton, has successfully implemented an enhanced teaching program for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students, with a focus on handling large animals.
The DVM course spans four years and provides a graduate degree that takes an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to veterinary studies. The program is designed to allow students to apply their understanding to real-life cases, develop evidence-based decision-making skills, acquire clinical competencies, and solve clinical problems.
Associate Professor Jennifer Carter, the Director of Veterinary Education, explained that the recent facility upgrades at Dookie have enabled the DVM Coordinators and the animal handling team to offer students more practical experience with sheep, cattle, and horses in a commercial farm environment.
In March, first-year DVM students spent a week at Dookie, engaging in intensive hands-on learning.
Animal handling skills are an essential part of the curriculum and accreditation requirements for the students. Many of the students had limited prior experience with large animals, particularly those who had always lived in urban settings.
Student testimonials showcased the positive impact of the program.
“It’s been awesome coming here. The instructors’ guidance was really helpful, and I feel a lot better about going in and catching horses. I was a little more familiar with sheep and cattle, but being able to reinforce that knowledge has been cool,” said DVM student Cassidy
Associate Professor Carter emphasized that the DVM program prepares students for various veterinary career paths, allowing them to choose between working as small or large animal veterinarians, in animal welfare, government positions monitoring wildlife health, or even as zoo veterinarians.
The aim of the program is to equip DVM students with the knowledge, experience, networks, and flexibility to succeed in their chosen veterinary careers.
