Update from vet nurses in Kerala

JMICAWE's vet nurse Jess Davies travelled with RVN Roxy Woodrow to visit Kerala Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences University to see how the veterinary nursing students were doing and catch up on the progress with the implementation of the new eleven month veterinary nursing course.

Whilst there they met the new Vice Chancellor of KVASU who was encouraged to hear about the rise of veterinary nursing in Kerala State with the beginning of the new course and agreed to do all he could to assist in its development.

Over the course of three days, Jess and Roxy spent time with veterinary nursing students in the clinic teaching them practical techniques, giving impromptu teaching sessions on bandaging, anaesthesia monitoring and the importance of asepsis. They also spent some time with the veterinary lecturers who are responsible for the ongoing teaching of these students to find out what materials we could provide that could help their teaching.

On their last day, Jess and Roxy visited a nearby ABC clinic. There, they were fortunate to be met by Smt. Beena Murali who is the deputy mayor for Thrissur district.  She wanted to meet the visiting veterinary nurses from University of Edinburgh and look around the clinic that does so much to improve the welfare of the street dog population in the area. The promotion of veterinary nursing in India was further boosted by a film crew following the deputy mayor to record a piece for that evening’s news for which Jess and Roxy we interviewed along with a journalist from The Times of India who was to write a piece about the Deputy Mayor's visit.

This was a great opportunity to promote the fact that veterinary nursing is a profession that is vital to the welfare of all animals along with the fantastic work that the wonderful team at the ABC clinic performs.

First international behavioural husbandry workshop for zookeepers hosted in Agra

First international behavioural husbandry workshop for zookeepers hosted in Agra

After successfully completing the small animal training workshop in Goa, JMICAWE’s Heather Bacon travelled to Agra in the North of India to participate in India’s first international behavioural husbandry workshop for zookeepers.

Focussed primarily on bear species and co-organised by:- the Bear Care Group, an International charity committed to improving the lives of captive bears; and Wildlife SOS, a Indian NGO responsible for eliminating the dancing bear trade in India and rescuing over 500 bears; the workshop attracted zookeepers, veterinary surgeons and academics working with a range of species from across India.

Heather spoke at the workshop on behavioural management, geriatric care and veterinary care of zoo animals, and also ran an interactive session on behaviour and emotion in zoo animals.

The workshop ended with a practical enrichment and training day at the WSOS bear rescue facility. 

Feedback from the workshop was extremely positive, with representatives from the Indian National  Zoo Authority expressing an interest in developing a hub of excellence in zoo science and welfare.

Vet training in Goa a success

Vet training in Goa a success

Heather and Jess of JMICAWE made their last trip of this year to India where they met up with ex-University of Edinburgh Veterinary nurse Roxanne Woodrow to deliver a two-day workshop on animal welfare, behaviour, and clinical skills to 25 vets from across India.

These vets, who work in private practice as part of the Aniheal group, were keen to further develop their small animal skills as the Indian veterinary curriculum focuses primarily on livestock species.

The workshop covered topics such as behavioural assessment, low-stress handling techniques and a problem-solving approach to triage and trauma. Delegates also participated in Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) to evaluate their new skills using non-animal models and manikins.

Heather said “This workshop has been very successful with demonstrable improvements in the knowledge and skills of participants as the workshop progressed. We look forward to developing our relationship with the Aniheal group further”

JMICAWE welcomes Dr Louise Connelly to the team

Hello, I’m Louise Connelly and I’m delighted to be seconded the Jeanne Marchig team as their Senior E-Learning Developer, for two years.  I am very much looking forward to working with such an enthusiastic and compassionate team who promote animal welfare and education.

 Let me tell you a little about who I am and what I will be doing with the Marchig Centre. I have had a varied background, with a career in marketing, IT, and digital education, and a PhD in religion and media. At the University of Edinburgh, I have been working in digital education for over six years and my research focuses on students’ use of social media. I am also Co-convenor of the Human Ethical Review Committee (HERC) at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

My main role in the Marchig team is to update the website, create education resources, and develop apps. I’m also excited to be involved with research, such as the dog welfare assessment project. I’m sure there will be lots of opportunities to work with others and even meet a few animals!

I love all animals and some might call me a ‘crazy cat lady’ – which I can’t deny, as I love cats. I have a cat who is a spritely 13 years old and she is the face of the The Truth About Cats and Dogs free online course. I’m sure I will manage to include a few more videos and pictures of cats on the website and in the learning resources. In the meantime, here is a photo of my cat sound asleep.

Research profile: https://edin.ac/2rm2ZHc

Bear Care Group in India

Our JMICAWE vet Heather Bacon is a Director of Bear Care Group who are in Agra, India this week attending an international bear conference hosted by Wildlife SOS Agra Bear Rescue Centre.  The welfare of bears and other wild animals in zoos, sanctuaries & rescue centres is being discussed by 80 delegates from 11 different countries.  The aim is to bring together global experts to share knowledge on bear care, wildlife conservation and human/wildlife conflict mitigation.

Graduation Day for MSc students

Last week saw the latest cohorts graduate from the online MSc International Animal Welfare, Ethics & Law.  "A fantastic time was had", writes Dr Fritha Langford, Programme Director, "and it was great to meet our graduates and their families in Edinburgh. We were also thinking of all our graduates who were not able to come to Edinburgh for the ceremony.

Well done all of you, many congratulations - you have all worked so hard and deserve every success in the future."