Pet lovers provide scholarships for Veterinary students
Press release
15 September 2008
Five final year veterinary students at the Faculty of Veterinary Science are to benefit from $1,000 scholarships funded by long term clients of the Veterinary Clinic and Hospital.
The money is to be used for field research, giving veterinary students the opportunity to plan trips outside Victoria – even outside Australia.
The scholarships are the latest gift to the Faculty by Dale and Lyn Sayner.
The Hoppers Crossing couple have been taking their pet dogs and cats to the Veterinary Clinic and Hospital based in Werribee for the past 15 years and began making substantial donations four years ago.
“Staff at the Clinic have always done more than we expected of them. They’re just wonderful, wonderful people,” said Mrs Sayner.
“Right from the reception staff, who will take you into a private room if they can see you’re upset and call the following day to check you’re OK, to the vets who have been through so much with us and our animals, we’ve found their support very touching.”
The Sayners began by funding the purchase of equipment to assist students training at the Clinic and Hospital, including an auroscope for looking inside animals’ ears that relays pictures onto a screen. This means several people can witness the procedure at the same time, which minimises any discomfort to the animal.
Their current pet is a female Rottweiler who was rescued by the RSPCA in Queensland. She had been a victim of cruelty that left her with neurological problems as well as a fractured pelvis and spine.
The dog weighed just 28kg when they brought her to Melbourne and was not expected to survive, but with the support of the staff at Werribee she now weighs 38kg and is making good progress.
Mr Sayner said: “Everything we do is for the training of new vets as we want to see good vets coming through for the benefit of the animals.
“In their final year, the university vets have to go into the field studying different animals and, because of the costs associated, many of them end up studying horses and dogs which they do all year. We thought a scholarship would help them go and study somewhere different and get a broader education.”
The first five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded in the next academic year. The successful students will be selected by their university tutors.
Dr Mark Davis, director of the Veterinary Hospital, said: “The Sayners have been very supportive of the Hospital and its staff. In previous years they have helped the education of its staff by providing additional funds for conference attendance and also donated money to buy equipment that is used to educate our undergraduates.
“These further scholarships will allow students to travel to different states and countries to undertake externships as part of their final year of studies. This broadening of experience will increase the abilities of our students at graduation.”
For further information please contact the Marketing Manager, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Tel: 8344 7844 or email: vet-communications@unimelb.edu.au