Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 31st May 2016
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Beloved horse 'graduates' from vet school
teddy
"Teddy provided an exceptional educational service for staff, students, residents and faculty from many hospital services. His care truly touched so many".

Gentle Teddy helped many students to learn about equine health

A thoroughbred horse has become 'Dr Teddy' after receiving an honorary degree from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Teddy has been described by students as "the perfect patient", helping them to learn about equine health over the past year.

While 137 human students received their Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, 19-year-old Teddy was given his honorary degree for being a 'master equine educator'.

During a lengthy stay at the school's teaching hospital, Teddy had more than two dozen appointments and many students had the opportunity to learn from him. As well as having routine treatments such as vaccinations and deworming, he was seen for more complicated issues including a neurological disorder stem cell treatments.

Despite months of confinement, Teddy has a cheerful and patient disposition, which helped students with only minimal large animal experience to feel comfortable around horses. With an inherent interest in human companionship, Teddy was the perfect horse for students to approach.

For graduate Carin Stevens, he was the first patient she ever had on her clinical rotations. She said: "Signing up for your first patient is quite a nerve wracking experience as you try to figure out how to go through the motions of being a fourth-year student and integrating all of the medicine you have learned up to that point. Teddy was the perfect patient."

Teddy helped the students with various lessons in equine medicine, including neurologic assessment, lameness evaluation, administration of medication, behavioural and postural assessment, grooming and hand walking, to name a few.

"Teddy provided an exceptional educational service for staff, students, residents and faculty from many hospital services," said Dr Larry Galuppo, chief of the Equine Surgery and Lameness service. "His care truly touched so many".

His owners, Bob and Colleen Haas, were delighted by his award. "For Teddy to be the first equine to 'graduate' from UC Davis as a master equine educator is beyond comprehension," they added. "We're so grateful to everyone at UC Davis for Teddy's care."

Image © UC Davis

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Webinar to explore history of KC breed registers

News Story 1
 A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.

Hosted by Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, the webinar will delve into the development of the registry and how the changing landscape of scientific knowledge has shaped breeding practices. It will also look at what this means for the future of pedigree dogs.

The session will culminate with a look at The Kennel Club's ongoing and future engagement in this area, with a chance for attendees to put forward their thoughts and questions for discussion.

This event takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 10 June at 7pm. To learn more, visit events.teams.microsoft.com  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.