Animal Welfare & Veterinary Nursing students from Solihull College & University Centre recently returned from an experience of a lifetime in South Africa.
Students from Level 3 programmes, the Foundation Degree in Animal Behaviour & Welfare, and Veterinary Nursing apprentices all had the opportunity to take part.
Head of School for Animal, Equine and Veterinary Nursing, Claire Powell, said it was an incredible experience: “The students were there to learn about conservation, but it was so much more than that. They visited an elephant sanctuary, a wildlife rehabilitation centre and undertook a short reptile vet medicine course.”
The students discovered more about wildlife conservation within several of South Africa’s remaining game reserves and helped with species management at the reserve where they stayed.
The group also spent time at a rehabilitation centre. Claire says: “The centre supports rehabilitating a variety of species affected by poaching and other human interventions. Another highlight was seeing an anti-poaching dog training demo. This was an incredible experience for the students. We visited some beautiful parts of South Africa and spent time understanding and learning about the importance of the local farming, community and cultures.”
Animal Welfare students at the College take part in a variety of exciting trips. Recent examples have included whale watching in the Canary Islands, Durrell Zoo in Jersey, learning about European vet practices in the Netherlands, plus many UK-based trips.
