Farmers in the UK are now in their third year partnering with veterinary students to help them with their training.
Like Ireland, the UK is experiencing a shortage of large-animal vets. The Vet Partners Farm Academy was set up in a bid to aid in assisting with this.
It is run in partnership with four of the veterinary group’s practices – Calweton Vets, Rosevean Vets, Penbode Vets and Cornwall Dairy Vets – and in collaboration with farmers.
VetPartners operates the Farm Academy for fourth- and fifth-year veterinary students to give them a taste of life in the profession, as well as an opportunity to develop their knowledge and practical skills.
UCD vet student Danny Fegan.
Irish vet students have also accessed the academy. Danny Fegan, a veterinary student at University College Dublin (UCD), said it gave him a “a great insight” into the practical side of being a farm vet.
“I was already set on becoming a farm and mixed-practice vet and being on-farm helped to give me a greater understanding of the role.
"It was good to speak to new graduate vets who gave us an insight into what it is like working in a farm practice, the challenges they face and the support that is available,” he added.
Fourth-generation farmer Adrian Coombe, who runs Dupath Farm in Callington, Cornwall, has hosted Farm Academy students every year since its launch in 2022 and says their enthusiasm is a welcome sign for the sector.
“What’s written in a textbook doesn’t always work on the farm. Practical experience is so important, so when the students ask questions about how to do things in a farm setting, it’s really good to see.
“There’s a shortage of farm vets in the UK and, yet, we need them, so they need all the support and encouragement we can give.”
Farmers in the UK are now in their third year partnering with veterinary students to help them with their training.
Like Ireland, the UK is experiencing a shortage of large-animal vets. The Vet Partners Farm Academy was set up in a bid to aid in assisting with this.
It is run in partnership with four of the veterinary group’s practices – Calweton Vets, Rosevean Vets, Penbode Vets and Cornwall Dairy Vets – and in collaboration with farmers.
VetPartners operates the Farm Academy for fourth- and fifth-year veterinary students to give them a taste of life in the profession, as well as an opportunity to develop their knowledge and practical skills.
UCD vet student Danny Fegan.
Irish vet students have also accessed the academy. Danny Fegan, a veterinary student at University College Dublin (UCD), said it gave him a “a great insight” into the practical side of being a farm vet.
“I was already set on becoming a farm and mixed-practice vet and being on-farm helped to give me a greater understanding of the role.
"It was good to speak to new graduate vets who gave us an insight into what it is like working in a farm practice, the challenges they face and the support that is available,” he added.
Fourth-generation farmer Adrian Coombe, who runs Dupath Farm in Callington, Cornwall, has hosted Farm Academy students every year since its launch in 2022 and says their enthusiasm is a welcome sign for the sector.
“What’s written in a textbook doesn’t always work on the farm. Practical experience is so important, so when the students ask questions about how to do things in a farm setting, it’s really good to see.
“There’s a shortage of farm vets in the UK and, yet, we need them, so they need all the support and encouragement we can give.”
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