Training in Animal Handling for Veterinary Students at Charles Sturt University, Australia

Abstract

Charles Sturt University in New South Wales, Australia, is responding to a national need for veterinarians with the skills and attributes to fulfill roles in rural practice and the large-animal industries. Rural practitioners must competently and confidently handle a range of large animals if they are to build a relationship of mutual trust with clients and deliver effective animal-health services. Training in animal handling begins in the first year of the course with highly structured small-group practical classes involving cattle, horses, sheep, dogs, cats, pigs, poultry, and laboratory animals (rats and mice). Other experiences with animals in the first three years build on basic animal-handling skills while performing other veterinary activities. Students who provide documented evidence of prior animal-handling experiences are admitted, and learning and teaching strategies aim to enhance skills and knowledge. Rigorous examinations use a competency-based approach prior to extramural placements on farms and in veterinary practices. A continuing process of evaluation, review, and refinement will ensure continual improvement and graduate veterinarians with strong skills in animal handling.

The Challenges of Using Horses for Practical Teaching Purposes in Veterinary Programmes

“…There is consensus across veterinary schools that the teaching of animal handling skills is a vital part of a veterinary degree [13,14,15,16,17,18,19]. Horses have been considered to be the most dangerous of all the animals that students have to learn how to handle appropriately [20], possibly because of their size and innate flight response.…”

“…Across veterinary schools in Australasia, it appears that basic equine and other animal handling skills are mostly taught within the first year of the degree programme, with some universities reinforcing these skills throughout the programme [15,19]. The objectives of practical equine handling classes varies between universities, but many aim to teach students basic handling skills such as how to approach and restrain a horse with a halter and/or anti-rearing bit, lift fore and hind legs, groom the horse, apply and remove rugs and apply physical restraints, such as a nose twitch [13,14,15,16,17,18,19]. The practical equine handling classes are often delivered or taught within the first 2 years of a veterinary degree but the total duration of time allocated varies widely between universities, with reports ranging from 2 h to month-long full-time placements [13,15,16,17,18,19,20].…”

“…The objectives of practical equine handling classes varies between universities, but many aim to teach students basic handling skills such as how to approach and restrain a horse with a halter and/or anti-rearing bit, lift fore and hind legs, groom the horse, apply and remove rugs and apply physical restraints, such as a nose twitch [13,14,15,16,17,18,19]. The practical equine handling classes are often delivered or taught within the first 2 years of a veterinary degree but the total duration of time allocated varies widely between universities, with reports ranging from 2 h to month-long full-time placements [13,15,16,17,18,19,20]. Good animal handling skills have been defined as general knowledge of the animal’s needs, practical experience in the care of the animal and the ability to quickly identify changes in behaviour, health or performance and to address those appropriately [21].…”

“…To combat this, a number of universities provide the opportunity for students to spend a few weeks, in the first two years of their degree, gaining practical equine experience extramurally [13,15,16,17]. Nevertheless, it is questionable whether, in some cases, only a few hours of practical teaching before partaking in extramural work experience is sufficient to prepare students to handle horses in a safe and effective manner.…”

Development of online learning activities to enhance student knowledge of animal behaviour prior to engaging in live animal handling practical sessions

“…The Hawkesbury campus at the University of Western Sydney (UWS) has an extensive history in agricultural teaching [1,2]. Formerly known as the Hawkesbury Agricultural College, the agricultural educational institution was established in 1891, and was the first of its kind in New South Wales, Australia.…”