The first ever veterinary camp for Scottish young people will be launched by Scottish Government Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) in Oatridge, West Lothian, on Wednesday 31 July.
Organisers of the event, Future Vets Scotland, have devised the camp as part of a strategy to help address the severe shortage of vets in the country. Nearly 50 teenagers from all over Scotland will get three days of hands-on experience and support from every veterinary school admissions teams in the country. Having these teams at the camp will not only help students make their choices, but will also save them from having to make expensive visits to vet schools in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, often from rural locations.
Future Vets Scotland is delighted to have been able to offer a scholarship to students travelling from rural and island locations to attend the camp. Going forward, they hope to secure outside funding to offer more scholarships as required.
The impact of the shortage of veterinary professionals on the Scottish farming industry, rural communities and companion animal welfare is enormous and cannot be ignored. The beleaguered veterinary industry also faces a full investigation into fees and services by the Competition and Markets Authority.
Jim Fairlie says: “Events like this are vital to help address challenges the veterinary medicine is facing and it opens up the possibility for so many more young people from more communities across Scotland. I am sure all the attendees will find the camp fascinating and I wish them all the best in whatever career they decide to pursue.
“I would also like to thank Dr Karen Gardiner and all the other organisers for their hard work to showcase the positive role veterinary surgeons have for not just animal care, but across society.”
Dr Karen Gardiner, founder of Future Vets Scotland, says: “Future Vets was established to address the shortage of vets in Scotland. A lack of vets will impact everyone who consumes Scottish farm produce or owns a pet.
“This camp has been uniquely designed to give young people practical insight and experience of life as a vet, and to give them tools to help them navigate the challenges they will face. It also gives them a network of peers with similar aspirations, which will be enormously helpful since they are likely to be the only one in their school who is choosing this career path.”
