Caring for canines

As if undertaking a full-time degree in veterinary science wasn’t enough, a group of UQ Vet students have given up their Sundays in an effort to improve pet health.

The 12 students, who are members of the UQ Vet Students Association (UQVSA), will offer free pet health checks at K9 Capers and A New Leash on Life, dog owner events run by Brisbane City Council.

President of the UQVSA, Ben Porter, said students had been keen to offer their expertise.

“These events will provide an opportunity for students to improve their clinical skills, and, at the same time, improve their communications skills with pet owners,” Mr Porter said.

“This is exactly how it would work in practice – vets have to treat dogs they have never seen before, and be able to communicate effectively with their owners.

“It’s a chance for students to use everything they’ve learnt in lectures and pracs.”

K9 Capers aims to encourage dog owners to have fun with their dog(s), while teaching them new canine skills, and is held at off-leash parks around Brisbane every second Sunday from 1.30pm-4pm.

A New Lease on Life is being run as part of the 10,000 Steps Brisbane program, and promotes human fitness through dog walking.

A New Lease on Life will also be run on Sunday afternoons, as of May 25.

As well as offering free pet health checks at both events, UQ Vet students will be bringing along dogs currently housed at UQ’s small animal clinic, which are available for adoption.

“These events will allow the dogs to further improve their socialisation and behaviour skills,” Mr Porter said.

“Moreover, we aim to find these dogs new homes and promote the adoption scheme run by the animal clinic.”

Dates, times and venues for K9 Capers and A New Leash on Life are listed below:

K9 Capers
Date: 18 May
Time: 1.30pm-4pm
Venue: Monoplane Street Park off-leash area, Barnett Road, Ashgrove

Date: 1 June
Time: 1.30pm-4pm
Venue: Wembley Park off-leash area, Jackson Street, Coorparoo

A New Leash on Life
Date: Sunday 25 May 2008
Time: 12.30pm-4pm
Venue: Forest Lake Park, Forest Lake Boulevard, Forest Lake

Date: Sunday 8 June 2008
Time: 12.30pm-4pm
Kalinga Park, Park Avenue, West Clayfield

Date: Sunday 22 June 2008
Time: 12.30pm-4pm
Venue: New Farm Park, Oxlade Drive, New Farm

MEDIA: Mr Porter (uqvsa@uq.edu.au, 0417 376 212) or Penny Robinson at UQ Communications (penny.robinson@uq.edu.au, 07 3365 9723)