In an effort to combat the growing shortage of veterinarians in regional areas, local initiatives are training teenagers in animal care. This program, based in Katherine, Northern Territory, aims to prepare young individuals for future careers in veterinary science and agriculture. One of the participants, fifteen-year-old Willow Brennan. During the past month, she has taken a deep dive into the hands-on world of animal care.
Willow Brennan was raised on a farm filled with all kinds of pets. She is currently completing CDU’s Certificate II in Animal Care. To help with her training, she cleans and cares for cattle at Charles Darwin University. Today, her priority is getting these animals ready for the local stock shows taking place over the next few months. She has no idea what she’d like to do after leaving school. She’s absolutely committed to going into the agricultural space.
Willow’s journey is a testament to the difficulties and joys of animal training. She looks back on the hours she spent with the cattle, reminding us that patience and empathy are essential in animal husbandry.
“Not everything’s a problem, just because your cow acts up. They’re still learning, just as we are, so just stay calm at all times and work with them.” – Willow Brennan
Growing Demand for Veterinary Services
The urgency behind training young people in this field stems from a significant shortage of veterinarians in rural and remote areas. Vet and business owner Alex Burleigh runs two clinics in Katherine and Alice Springs. That’s the case for Dr. He has seen a huge increase in the need for veterinary services. In this interview, he helps us to understand the urgent demand for additional trained personnel.
“It’s an area where we are continually looking for staff to fill those roles,” Burleigh states. He has had to increase the size of his staff at the Alice Springs clinic just to stay ahead of demand from clients. He hopes this will be a stopgap measure—not a long-term fix.
According to a recent report, the recruitment challenges veterinarians are experiencing are “chronic and severe,” particularly in rural areas. Yet according to a recent “Jobs and Skills Australia report,” these challenges will persist as demand increases.
Inspiring Future Veterinarians
Delaware’s initiative not only tackles today’s pressing staffing shortages, but seeks to cultivate the next generation of veterinarians. Brooke Rapley, one of the other students participating in the program, dreams of working with big animals after she’s certified.
At her grade six graduation, she was awarded “most likely to become a vet.” This recognition did nothing to dim her fire. Whether she’s welcoming a rambunctious kitten with a new stethoscope or dreaming of her future career options,
“I mean, both would be great,” Brooke says when considering options within veterinary medicine.
Samantha Dunwoody, who manages the training program, highlights the need to expose underserved and underrepresented young people to animal care. She knows that these experiences have the ability to deeply design their career trajectories.
“It’s just opening doors, seeing what they can do with animals and where they can go with it, too.” – Samantha Dunwoody
Dr. Amy Harding supports the initiative, noting that many young people may choose to remain in rural communities if they find fulfillment in their work with animals.
“So many young people would go out into rural communities and places, and a lot of them could decide to stay if they loved it.” – Amy Harding
A Community Effort
The partnership among local universities and veterinary clinics is a testament to the combined community effort to tackle this veterinary shortage issue. These community-based programs focus on providing experiential training and mentorship. Through these efforts, they’re seeking to prepare more students like Willow and Brooke with the great skills required for fruitful futures in animal care.
As they learn about veterinary practices and animal behavior, students gain valuable insights into the complexities of caring for animals. This approach not only prepares them for potential careers but fosters a deeper appreciation for agriculture and veterinary medicine.
