Veterinary Work : Comparatively New Career Per Women

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23211, 24 March 1950, Page 4

Veterinary Work : Comparatively New Career Per Women

Recently appointed to the staff of the Gisborne Veterinary Club, Miss Alison Kvle. B.V.Sc.. Christchurch, is one of five women veterinarians in New Zealand.

Miss Kvle recently completed her training for this work, and in an interview this morning described the preparations needed to qualify for the position of veterinarian. The course takes five years, and for New Zealand students commences with one year in this country studying medical subiects. The second year’s study is taken in Australia, where students attend the Veterinary School in the grounds of Sydney University.

Scientific medical subjects are continued in this year, together with the study of veterinary anatomy and zootechny, physiology and numerous com-panion-subjects. The third year is spent in further study of these subiects. and later the student is introduced to some practical work. Practical Work on Farm

In the fourth year advanced medical and surgical study is undertaken. In their final year a number of students are accommodated at the McGarvie Smith farm, about 30 miles from Sydney. Here practical work is done, and Iho students take turns in accompanying the veterinarian on his rounds. Lectures also form a part of the training at this stage.

“For the New Zealander,” Miss Kyle said, “the course has the advantage of long vacations at the end of each year. Students mav thus return to this country in December and leave again for Svdnev in March. In this wav the training period does not seem so long, and with modern travelling methods the journey is not much greater than a trip within New Zealand.” Work Hard, But En.joyablo

Miss Kvle described the course as “hard work, with not very much play,” but added that it was enjoyable, and her enthusiasm in her work speaks for itself.

In Australia, Miss Kvle said, veterinarians often specialize in some branch of the work. Poultry, for instance, is of great importance in that country, and several students study this branch extensively. ,

During her training, Miss Kyle said, about 50 or CO New Zealand students attended tiie school. Australian students in her final year totalled the largest number ever to attend the

school. A number of these were returned soldiers, but, the majority were younger men and women.