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Puppy power heads to Bolton university
Zara
Research suggests that interacting with a pet decreases the level of cortisol ('stress hormone') and releases endorphins ('happiness hormone').
Zara the dog will help stressed students this month

Stressed students in Bolton will become the latest to benefit from a calming 'puppy room' to help combat exam stress.

A curly coated retriever named Zara will be offering a little canine TLC to students at the University of Bolton who are facing their January assessments.

By introducing the scheme, the University of Bolton has joined other educators in the UK and the US who use similar methods.

Research suggests that interacting with a pet decreases the level of cortisol ('stress hormone') and releases endorphins ('happiness hormone').

Zara's owner, Fiona Valentine, is the university's disability service manager. She said: "For any student facing exams, stress levels can be high. Stress can be a motivator, but it can also be overwhelming.

"We're going to be asking students for feedback to see whether they find spending time with Zara helps."

The charity, Pets as Therapy (PAT), tested Zara to make sure she has the correct temperament for supporting people. PAT provides therapeutic visits to hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, among other establishments.

Zara will initially be available at Bolton's Student Centre, Chancellor's Mall, on the first two Tuesdays of January (5th and 12th).

Image courtesy of the University of Bolton

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.