Written by Yaleena Bridges
When people hear I’m studying veterinary science, the first question is usually, “So… have you been cuddling puppies all day?”
Well… yes, there have been dogs. But there have also been cows, sheep, chickens, pigs, horses, cats, fish, lab practicals, dissections, chemistry, biology, late-night study sessions, and more lectures than I can count. Safe to say, my first session has been a whirlwind!
The biggest surprise for me has been just how hands-on the course is from day one. While biology and chemistry have definitely kept us busy (along with plenty of lab practicals), we’ve also spent a huge amount of time working with animals.
The subject Animal Production and Welfare has been all about production animals — cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, goats, and even alpacas. We’ve learnt about dairy production, different cattle breeds, common diseases, animal husbandry procedures, and what good welfare looks like in different farming systems. The practical classes have been a highlight, with handling sessions for cows, sheep, horses, and chickens to build confidence and learn safe handling techniques. We even visited a working pig farm and handled some piglets.
Veterinary Practice has made everything start to feel incredibly real. We’ve had dog and cat handling classes where we practised physical examinations while learning about animal behaviour, welfare, and low-stress handling. It’s exciting knowing these are the foundations we’ll continue building throughout the degree.
One of the most memorable experiences so far was our first whole-dog dissection. It was fascinating, challenging, and gave me a whole new appreciation for anatomy — and just how much there is to learn next session!
Outside the classroom, we have also started our Animal Husbandry Extramural Placements. I was lucky enough to head back home and spend a week at a large aquaculture farm. From exploring hatcheries to visiting large fish pens by boat, I learnt so much about an industry I’d never experienced before.
The local seals, who patiently waited nearby hoping for an easy meal, were definitely a bonus.
Of course, it’s not all practical classes and animals. There have been long days of lectures, our first vet exams (which involved many late nights in the library fuelled by snacks), and learning how to balance study with work and life. For many of us, this has also meant moving away from home, finding our way around campus, making new friends, and figuring out how to survive adult life. Thank goodness for Friday night cheap dinners at The Deck, one less meal to cook each week!
One thing I didn’t expect was just how social vet school is. Throughout the session there have been plenty of events, from our first-year dinner, where we were presented with our very own stethoscopes in front of our families, to the Vet Ball, where we had the chance to celebrate with students from every year level.
It’s hard to believe this is only the beginning.
The workload is already challenging, and everyone keeps reminding us it only gets busier from here. But with every practical class, every placement and every lecture, becoming a veterinarian feels a little less like a dream and a little more like reality. I can’t wait to see what the next session has in store.
Charlie blog is a SSAF initiative.
