Guide dogs in training can now enrol at Murdoch Uni to prepare for their future careers
Murdoch University is enrolling a group of new students and they are wagging their tails with excitement.
Partnering with Guide Dogs WA, the university has committed to helping train the next generation of support dogs by hosting them at the animal hospital.
Dogs in training will visit the hospital to learn to wait patiently with other pets in the waiting room and to cope with unfamiliar and noisy environments in a crowded area. They will also undergo a basic health check.
Murdoch University animal hospital clinical director Claudine Creasy said the hospital was excited to help Guide Dogs WA, the only local guide dog provider.
“Guide and assistance dogs are life-changing for people who need extra support and we are happy to help train them,” Dr Creasy said.
“Our multidisciplinary veterinary practice at Murdoch is a busy, stimulating place and the perfect place for support animals to learn how to tune out noise and respond calmly to other animals.”
The hospital provides a 24/7 emergency service to the public of Western Australia, treating a variety of animal health problems seen in exotic zoo animals such as birds, dogs, cats, horses and even giraffes. It also offers the only veterinary science course in WA.
“As part of this new collaboration, our veterinary students doing clinical rotations in the animal hospital also benefit from additional hands-on learning by performing physical examinations on dogs,” Dr Creasy said.
It takes more than two years to train working and assistance dogs to provide adequate support to people with low vision, disabilities or illnesses.
Guide Dogs WA dog services business manager Kim Ryan said the new learning opportunity for dogs would be very helpful.
“Our dogs need to be exposed to many different real-world environments so they can learn how to cope, deal with distractions and behave appropriately in their future roles,” Ms Ryan said.
“We are delighted to bring this important new experience into the training of dogs, which adds to our valued long-term working relationship with Murdoch University.”
Murdoch’s veterinary school will also undergo a major revamp after receiving an unprecedented $100 million donation from Perth philanthropist Ted Powell last year.
The existing school will be replaced by a modern 9600 square meter facility, supporting a 50 per cent increase in the number of veterinary students able to study in WA.
