17 June 2024

A hi-tech and eerily lifelike canine mannequin is giving aspiring veterinary nurses at TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre priceless hands-on experience.

“Sheila”, a state-of-the-art canine mannequin imported from the US, recently arrived at the campus, allowing animal studies and vet nursing students to practice important clinical skills, such as intubating, CPR, bandaging, and even ear cleaning.

TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre animal studies teacher and local vet nurse Brooke Peters said the mannequin had become like a real pet for the class and was helping students hone their clinical skills without posing any risk to a live animal.

“It really does closely simulate how you would work on a live animal so it enables students to improve their skills before working on real pets in a clinic,” Ms Peters said.

“It allows students to take their time and provides both animal welfare and clinical advantages.”

Vet nursing jobs are in a steep growth phase, with Jobs and Skills Australia predicting the number of nurses will skyrocket from the current number of 10,700 to 17,800 by 2026.

TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre student Bella Harrison, 19, is one of many who has capitalised on the surging demand for vet nurses, balancing her studies with work at Holbrook Vet Centre.

“I’ve always been an animal person and I have a cousin who’s a vet and was intrigued by what it would be like to work in the industry,” Ms Harrison said.

“I did a Certificate II in Animal Studies as a TVET course at high school and I loved it so much, I decided to pursue vet nursing after school through TAFE NSW.

“Having Sheila to practice my skills on has been amazing. It’s really helped build my skills and confidence and the CPR skills I learned with Sheila actually helped me bring back a pet in clinic recently.”

Ms Harrison started the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in June and was offered a job at Holbrook Vet Centre during her first clinical placement, such is the demand for TAFE NSW students.

“I love the job but it can be heartbreaking at times,” she said. “But the good days far outweigh the bad ones and the satisfaction of helping heal someone’s much-loved pet is so rewarding.”

Media contact: Dan Johns, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, Daniel.johns9@tafensw.edu.au, 0477 722 428