WEB Vetnews May 2015

Launch I Opening

Students at the Onderstepoort Faculty of Veterinary Science now have access to a new “Skills Laboratory”, where they can hone their clinical skills before performing them on live animals. Skills Laboratory launched

Guests being guided by one of the enthusiastic students

T he new Skills Lab was formally launched on Thursday, 16 April. Under the passionate leadership of Dr Annett Annandale, supported by Dr Elrien Scheepers, the facility provides students with teaching and learning opportunities that vary from the very basic, such as neatly laid out surgical instruments with a catalogue explaining what each instrument is used for, to advanced training models used to teach students the technique of rectal examination (as recently reported on – “ Breed ‘N Betsy vs Proefplaas Polly , VetNews, Jan 2015). In his welcoming address, Prof Darrell Abernethy, Dean of the Faculty, explained that the new facility provided students with the opportunity to practice techniques on mannequins and models, thereby reducing student stress (knowing that they were not putting a live animal at risk or distress), allowing them to focus on the actual technique. This also reduced the pressure on the teaching animals kept at the Faculty. He also applauded the initiative taken by Dr Annandale in sourcing local talent and establishing a well- equipped workshop at the Skills Lab,

where various disposable models and components are manufactured. This workshop, managed by Ms Liezl Kok, employs members of the local community, creating job opportunities and providing them with skills that can form the basis of a future career. After the opening ceremony, guests were encouraged to view the various models on display. Enthusiastic veterinary students explained the various workstations and models to the group, and some guests made use of the opportunity to determine whether their own skills had stood the test of time (we’ll rather not report on the success of this…). The students explained that practicing on models made them feel more confident about clinical techniques that they would have to use on real patients in the near future. Veterinarians who will be attending the SAVA Congress at the Champagne Sports Resort in July are encouraged to specifically attend the talk by Dr Annandale, entitled: “Meet the Patients in the Onderste­ poort Skills Lab”, where she will provide more information on this new innovation. v

Below: Is she pregnant?

A calm and quite Quarterhorse, ready to teach students more about his gut

vet nuus • news

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Mei/May 2015