A UNIQUE partnership in Tamworth is proving to have a series of flow-on benefits throughout the community.
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On face value, the free microchipping and vaccination day recently held at The Youthie may appear to just make it easier for locals to be responsible pet owners.
But the day helped stem disease in the animal population, potentially helping council reduce pound numbers and improve the employment chances of budding animal care workers.
Dean Hawkins, a spokesperson for RSPCA NSW, said the partnership between TAFE New England and Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) – which provides the free pet care day – should be a model for other regional areas
“We do these programs in other areas but, this particular one is unique because we have that relationship,” Mr Hawkins said.
“That would be great if we had the opportunity to form those relationships and roll out programs like this in other regional areas.”
TRC manager of regulatory services Ross Briggs said the day “kills two birds with the one stone”.
“The cost of owning a pet is quite expensive and if we can put this offer out to people who might not be able to afford things straight off, it certainly helps to keep their animals safe and help us return their animals if they get away,” Mr Briggs said.
TAFE New England animal care teacher Christine McKinnon said the partnership gives her students a chance to learn practical and relevant skills.
“Here they are actually talking with the client which I think is a really vital skills,” Ms McKinnon said.
“They've been taught about worming and vaccination so they are actually giving out that advice.”
Ms McKinnon said the vet nursing course is proving to be a very popular course and said aspiring students were facing challenges.
“We can't teach them all of the skills in house so they have to be a vet practice at least one day a week,” she said. “The constraining factor would be the number of work placements available for all of those students.”