Veterinary Business Briefing articles provided free to Vetstart members

Vets tend to take a few days off at a time several times a year but never truly ‘get away’ from the practice. Vets and vet students as a group tend to have difficulty relaxing which can lead to burnout and fatigue.

Learn how to change that mindset in Art 55. Do You Need a Sabbatical

The Online Veterinary Anatomy Museum (OVAM) launched on November 20

OVAM offers free access to detailed, annotated diagrams, specimens and radiographic images. Podcasts and dissection videos will follow soon.

Throughout development OVAM made use of veterinary student curators to help build and shape the site. The benefits of a free digital museum for students are obvious, and as the museum grows it’ll become an integral, community driven learning aid.

Take a digital stroll through OVAM today!

A new world-class School of Veterinary Medicine will be launched at the University of Surrey in 2014

The new School will embrace the ‘One Health – One Medicine’ philosophy and will include the development of a unique research-led veterinary medicine degree programme with an emphasis on research, veterinary pathology and livestock medicine.

Currently there are only seven Schools of Veterinary Medicine in the country, and the development of the eighth school will be the first of its kind in South East England.

Professor John Fazakerley, Director of The Pirbright Institute, said: “This is good news for the UK veterinary research community. The Pirbright Institute currently works in close collaboration with the University of Surrey on research that benefits animal health and welfare; we very much look forward to building on this established and growing association as the new school of veterinary medicine is launched. There is an important place for trained veterinarians in scientific research and we are delighted that the University has decided to emphasise these areas in particular.”

Throughout the next twelve month period the University will be involved with the recruiting of new academic staff, attracting the first cohort of students, and beginning building works in preparation for the first cohort of students in 2014.

For more information visit the University of Surrey.

Comprehensive two day course for students and graduates considering a career in the UK

The British Veterinary Association (BVA), the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) are joining up to help overseas vets with a comprehensive two day course aimed at providing them with the necessary information and support needed to practice as a veterinary surgeon in the UK.

The ‘Introduction to the UK veterinary profession – an essential CPD course for overseas vets’ is aimed at overseas vets in their first two years in the UK and those considering working there.

For more information visit the BVA.

The Southern European Veterinary Conference (SEVC) 2012 will run from 18-20 October this year and will be held in Barcelona, Spain

Check out the SEVC website to see the full scientific programme that includes a strong 3 day stream on Practice Management.

Students and recent graduates, who are a Vetstart members are invited to the full 3 day SEVC programme for only €149. This incredible offer even includes the congress Grand Fiesta party on Saturday evening!

Applicants need to be registered as Vetstart members and need to also register individually with the SEVC office in Barcelona via the SEVC website

We look forward to seeing you in Barcelona, and don’t forget to tell any other students and recent graduates to come join SEVC 2012.

In case you are planning to come with a group of students please contact us to make special arrangements for your group.

If you book early, flights to Barcelona from many cities in Europe are at low rates and you might be able to arrange your stay in Barcelona by finding fellow Vetstart members in Barcelona or via the IVSA. In addition, Barcelona is well-known for the many low budget hostels and hotels in town.

See you in Spain this October!

SFS quiz pits the public against students

Speaking For Spot have started a lighthearted quiz to test pet owners’ knowledge.

If you’re not sick of tests and exams take part in Are You Smarter Than a Vet Student on SpeakingForSpot.com.

Answers will be available soon.

How much does the veterinary thesis you write at vet school affect your future career?

Sarah, a third year student studying in Hungary asked the following question:

“I am planning on starting to find a topic for my thesis quite soon. I’ve been wondering: to what extent does the topic of my veterinary thesis influence my career?

I’ve also been thinking of specializing, by doing an internship for example, would it help me to write a thesis in the field I want to specialize (let’s say, randomly, cardiology)?”

Read more for the answer

Three VN students prepare to skydive to raise funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer

Leah Harrop, Emma Page and Caroline Bromley hope to raise £1500 for cancer charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer with a skydive at Whitchurch Airfield.

Emma, 20, commented:
“We feel that it will be an amazing experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives, and doing it for such a good cause makes it even more worthwhile.”

The students took part in a sponsored walk for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People but this is their first major fundraiser – and what a fundraiser to start off with. This is an amazing idea and we at Vetsforum wish them the best.

Donate to the skydive at JustGiving.

Experience and confidence play a major role in securing your place

Getting into vet school is notoriously difficult, and even when studying it takes passion, determination and intelligence to stay ahead. But what really gets students selected and keeps them ahead of their class?

Read Holland Sentinel for an article by Dr. Eric Heitman. How much do you agree?

Banks offer a variety of packages for students and graduates, often targetted at maximising overdraft at the expense of interest. When is the right time to leave your student account? How much should you be earning before you can focus more on interest than needing a bigger overdraft?

This guide by the fantastic MoneySavingExpert provides an extensive analysis of the best banks and accounts to save with depending on the amount you’re currently earning. This guide leans towards UK banking but the criteria apply worldwide.