What do the students think of working in the Small Animal Practice?
We ask for feedback at the end of each student’s time with us and the comments speak for themselves! It is clear that they find the chance to deal with you and your animals directly as one of the most rewarding bits of their course!
"…it was amazing to actually see real clients and deal with them as if I was a real vet. I can't wait to graduate now…"
"……The best bit of the rotation was talking to Mrs X about Bonnie. She really seemed to appreciate what I was trying to say and I almost cried when she said how kind I’d been."
What experience do the students get?
The students in the practice are in their final – usually 5th or 6th - year of the course. The year consists of a series of ‘clinical rotations’ where small groups of students spend a week or more learning skills in specific areas.
The main rotations are in the clinics on site – we are only one of them as we have ‘sister’ practices in the Farm Animal Practice and Stables Equine Practice – and in the specialist referral hospital on site for small animals. There are over 100 veterinary clinicians working in these practices and the hospital so the students are exposed to a vast amount of expertise and practical work. There are also rotations in imaging (radiography and ultrasonography), clinical pathology, anaesthesia, surgery, preventive medicine in farm work, and public health.
The RCVS has introduced greater emphasis on primary care (GP) experience for students. The university has teamed up with private clinics around Bristol and the wider area to give the students more opportunities to see and participate in primary care work.
How can I be more involved in the University's work?
The students are introduced to the importance of communication and consulting skills right from the start of the course. Dr Alison Blaxter helps to support the students with their developing communication skills by running mock consultations with willing clients and pets. The university is always looking for pet owners who are willing to donate some time to helping our students develop these skills. If you and your pet would like to help, please email the practice so that we can forward your interest to the university team.
The university is involved in a wide range of research projects. All research projects must pass stringent government and university ethical scrutiny. Much of the research is based around questionnaires, alternatively some of the animals that sadly pass away can help with research or spare tissue from samples already taken for clinical purposes can be studied.
For example (with owner consent) we have submitted samples from mammary tumors, already removed from dogs undergoing treatment for their illness, to a research project that was looking for similarities in the cells of dogs with mammary tumors to human breast cancer cells to investigate new treatment opportunities.
If you would like to be informed of any research projects that you could be involved with, please email the practice and we can forward your interest to contribute to the research teams.