ASPIRING veterinary scientist Maddison Dodd is applying her tertiary learning somewhere far beyond the classroom.<\/p>\n
The Federation University Bachelor of Veterinary Science student is on a study trip to Nepal and has been exposed to the techniques vets use in Kathmandu, the Gaurishankar Conservation Area, and Chitwan National Park.<\/p>\n
She is also undertaking an internship at Nepal\u2019s Biodiversity Conservation Centre.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to learn as much as possible from the veterinarians here,\u201d she said. \u201cOur tasks will involve managing the health of domestic animals and tending to the wellbeing of wildlife.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have really enjoyed learning and trying out for myself the foot care done on Asian elephants.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn a yearly basis, NTNC goes around to each of the working elephants and cares for and trims their nails. It has been very interesting to see what is done to help and prevent abscesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never would have thought I would be that close to an elephant, let alone trimming their nails.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Dodd said the highlight of the trip has been watching a radio monitoring collar be fitted on a \u201cproblematic\u201d leopard.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is now a part of a PhD project,\u201d she said. \u201cObserving the veterinarians’ techniques and contrasting them with those of the clinic where I worked was fascinating.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone that I have met so far have all been so knowledgeable and passionate about their work.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso observing the veterinarians’ techniques and contrasting them with those of the clinic where I worked is very fascinating.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Dodd said she has dreamt of becoming a vet since she was a child and is keen to make a difference in the lives of animals.<\/p>\n
\u201cI first started volunteering at my local vet clinic in Porepunkah when I was just 13 years old and went on to stay there for five years until I moved for this course in Ballarat,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking with animals has always been a passion of mine as I have a genuine love for all animals, and stemming from that, I\u2019ve always wanted to make a positive impact on their wellbeing and livelihood.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, from experience with working with animals, I love to learn about individuals and their traits.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll animals have personalities just like us, so I love to get to know them as much as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Dodd said she was drawn to FedUni\u2019s veterinary science course because, as a country person, she could remain in a regional area.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis course offers me a variety of pathways I could take for future career directions, including the chance for postgraduate study to become a veterinarian in the future,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ASPIRING veterinary scientist Maddison Dodd is applying her tertiary learning somewhere far beyond the classroom. The Federation University Bachelor of Veterinary Science student is on a study trip to Nepal and has been exposed to the techniques vets use in Kathmandu, the Gaurishankar Conservation Area, and Chitwan National Park. She is also undertaking an internship […]<\/p>\n