University – NGO collaborations support veterinary students

Last weekend the Liverpool University Veterinary Zoological Society help their annual symposium, inviting speakers from Chester Zoo, the British Veterinary Zoological Society. The Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS), and the Jeanne Marchig international Centre for Animal Welfare Education. The JMICAWE work with WVS to support and promote humane dog management and rabies control strategies in India, and has also offered expertise in mass dog rescue, and in brown bear veterinary care.

 

At the symposium, Heather Bacon of the JMICAWE outlined the challenges of veterinary work overseas and highlighted her work in collaboration with WVS and Animals Asia to address medical issues in captive bears rescued from the dancing bear trade in Serbia.

 

Heather commented

“Overseas work can be extremely challenging – there is often a lack of specialist equipment and expertise. Whilst our intentions in undertaking challenges overseas may be good, it is vital that we consider the experience of the animals receiving ‘well-intentioned’ treatment and ensure that we are not inadvertently creating welfare problems. It is easy for enthusiastic students to find themselves in difficult situations, and whilst volunteering overseas can be hugely rewarding, charities like WVS also offer students the support they need when venturing into overseas veterinary work.”