I used the AVS EMS grant to complete a placement at Evolution Farm Vets in Somerset. I had seen practice here before in the summer of my third year, and felt that I got a lot out of it academically as it was my first experience of seeing farm practice; however, during my previous placement, I had camped down the road, and had been able to cover my own costs. I wanted to attend the practice again during February so that I could see as much farm work as possible, but needed financial help to pay for the (indoor!) accommodation required for a two-week placement.
Evolution is a majority-dairy practice, which is very much in line with what I want to do once qualified, and spending time there has helped me to learn more about how progressive young practices are run. I got to further my practical skills via scrubbing into surgeries and participating in routine visits, as well as seeing some more unusual cases and practicing my clinical reasoning. I also spent some time seeing reproduction work with the equine vets at the practice, which was a great opportunity to learn about something new.
I am very grateful to AVS and VDS for allowing me the financial freedom to take up this opportunity, and would definitely recommend applying for a grant; it took some strain off the significant investment often required to see farm practice as a student. I look forward to returning to Evolution in December this year.
VDS Training are proud to be supporting the AVS EMS grants. These grants will offer financial support to veterinary students to complete an EMS placement. The applications for the 2019 grants are open and close of the 1st of December and the successful applicants will be announced at our 2020 AVS Congress at Surrey Vet School in January. There are 5 grants available each of £200 and the application form can be found here and should be emailed to: AVS.EMS.Grants@gmail.com
For more info see http://www.avsukireland.co.uk/opportunities
About VDS Training
VDS Training are passionate about developing all members of the veterinary team, to help you overcome the personal and professional challenges you face on a daily basis, and to build practical skills and techniques to make a real difference to you and your life.