EVERYONE WANTS TO BE A VET

"But is it for me?" … would-be vets get some answers at Life with a new mini-vet lecture series. Being a vet ranks right up there with astronaut, TV presenter, footballer, ballet dancer, train driver, or footballer. Veterinary courses are traditionally over-subscribed and the multi disciplinary training required for general practice, which covers triage, microbiology, biochemistry, radiography, medicine and surgery requires a high standard of dedication; knowing that you are making the right choice requires an informed decision. With this in mind, Life is delighted to be once again hosting its highly successful Mini-Vet series of events. This year's six weekly 'bite-size' mini lecture series gives an insight into the world of veterinary medicine through informal sessions delivered by veterinary experts. Subjects covered include General Small Animal Practice, Specialisation, Vets in Research, Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care, Professionalism, Ethics, the Business of Medicine and Large Animal General Practice. However, the programme aims also to give a rounded view of veterinary medicine as a whole, and will include everything from running a small animal practice as a business, to emergency and critical care, to large animal veterinary medicine over the six-week programme, finishing with an optional practical session of key skills for veterinary surgeons. The series is named The Tony Sarma Mini-Veterinary School after Mini-Vet School’s inspirational founder, leader and protagonist – an extraordinarily committed consultant veterinary surgeon and research scholar who held the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Certificate in Small Animal Surgery and a Wellcome Trust Research Scholarship at Cambridge University studying cruciate ligament disease. Sadly, Tony passed away in August 2012. In honour of his brother, Dr Sean Sarma, a facial surgeon, takes up the helm this year with a programme that includes a host of Tony’s colleagues and friends – many world authorities in their subjects – discussing their areas of interest. Included in this will be Professor Dan Brockman, Head of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at London’s Royal Veterinary College (and previous BBC Supervet!) discussing open heart surgery in dogs and cats and Professor Paul Flecknell from Newcastle University who is world-renowned for his research into animal welfare and pain management.  “Tony was extremely proud to have set up Mini-Veterinary School" says Dr Sean Sarma "and was already starting to arrange this year’s event while last year’s was still running! Whilst he loved his job, he also spoke very clearly about all the times he wanted to give up, so he emphasised spelling out both the good and the bad of the profession for anyone considering it as a career. I know he would want to see this event continue running, and I hope that between myself, the Centre for Life and all the speakers who are so kindly giving up their time we can put on an event that is useful and fun for you, and that Tony would be proud of once again” On a typical day in a typical general practice, a vet can consult and diagnose a plethora of small animals, perform minor operations and do 'home' visits …..seeing a case right through from 'presentation', that  consultation to the 'resolution' which unlike (human) more general healthcare,  is something that doctors just don’t get to do…and it’s a profession that can take you anywhere from a city or rural practice, a zoo, sporting events or sanctuaries.

 

The Tony Sarma Mini-Veterinary School

Thursday 18 April - Thursday 23 May

Life Science Centre, Newcastle www.life.org.uk

7pm-9pm every Thursday

Cost: £45

To book call: 0191 243 8223