Seminar day shines light on animal welfare and zoonotic diseases

The first Applied Research in Animal and Equine Science Student Seminar day has been held at Duchy College Stoke Climsland.

Key note speakers, Dr David Harris MRCVS who presented ‘One Health’ which focussed on emerging diseases and zoonotic diseases, and Dr Susan Horseman whose talk on striking the balance between animal work and animal welfare, were “very well received”, according to HE Programme Manager, Anna Walker.

“Our student seminar day was the first of its kind to be held at Duchy College and a new experience for many attendees,” she continued.

“Students’ approach to the day was that of a mature and supportive group of young academics, which was quite simply a pleasure to be a part of. We are immensely proud of each and every student and how they have progressed along their academic journey.”

Following the addresses, animal science students presented their own research with a poster presentation or an oral presentation to an audience of between 60-80 attendees in the lecture theatre.

The audience voted for the best student poster and oral presentation of the day and these went to MSc Equitation Science student Annie Matravers and FdSc Equitation, Training & Behaviour Level 5 student Greg Dunn respectively.

“I presented my Level 5 research on ‘Sugar Level in Hay’ through a poster and my Level 6 research on ‘Expectation and Perception of Lead Rein and First Ridden Ponies’ through and oral presentation,” Annie said.

“I really enjoyed the day itself, it was very well organised and ran smoothly, it was great to have such a range of people in the audience and they were great at interacting and asking question both during the oral presentation and the poster presentation.”

In addition to the Level 3 Year 1 & 2 Equine and Level 3 Animal students, pupils from Bodmin College and Caradon Academy attended.

Team Lead for FE Equine & HE Animal Science, Alison Abbey, said the first Applied Research in Animal and Equine Science student seminar to be held at Duchy College Stoke Climsland was “a resounding success”.

“Attendees varied from our current higher education animal science students, further education students to visitors from external schools,” she explained.

“The day was full of presentations from students’ research and it was a privilege to share the day with established and budding academics of whom the animal science team are extremely proud.”