4 weeks experience working with dogs and horses, How?

[IrianofWay]

DD has just done her GCSEs. She wants to do vet physio and has found a course she likes the look of to study this. She needs an A in biology at A level, a B in some other science subject and at least one other A level. She also needs 4 weeks direct experience working with dogs and horses in the 18m before she applies - so that gives her approx a year to acheive this.

She already works with horses every saturday. She doesn't have that much time to spare for the canine bit! Any suggestions as to where she could do this? Do kennels want volunteers? Dog rescues?

[CMOTDibbler]

Dog rescues would love a volunteer - I know the one my dogs came through have a young lady who does one Sunday a month walking them, helping with training etc.
Most greyhound rescues have regular 'take our hounds for a walk' open sessions where you just turn up as well.

[autumnboys]

What sort of work?

The Cinnamon Trust matches up peor who want to walk dogs with people who can't walk their dos for whatever reason.

Volunteering at puppy training classes?

[Leeds2]

My DD volunteers at a rescue centre for dogs and cats. It is a small, independent one and at first they didn't want to take her because all the dogs come from disadvantaged backgrounds and they were concerned that they couldn't guarantee DD's safety. They took her in the end, but also suggested she tried The Dogs' Trust which is, I think, a national charity.

[IrianofWay]

Thanks for the suggestions. DD is looking for local rescues.

[cdtaylornats]

Local hunt?

[Sparky05]

Harper Adams course by any chance? dd loves the look of it! Dog walking, kennels, rescue centres, grooming salons all take work experience students, local farm as well?

[BellaVida]

I know that the RSPCA accepts volunteers between 16 and 18. You just need to check locally.

[IrianofWay]

Thanks everyone!

Yes sparky! How did you guess We found it last year and DD was delighted. Until then she had been told she needed to study human physio first and then specialise.

[zizza]

My (now end of 2nd year) vet student dd did 2 weeks work in a kennels/cattery in the summer holidaysholidays when she was 16. Even got paid a small amount I seem to remember.

She also did a week in one stables and a week in another. There more than enough time with summer hols, half terms etc.

Get her to email some local places initially and follow up with a phone call.

Good luck

[basildonbond]

The local dog warden does a work experience scheme which gives pupils a chance to go on the warden's rounds, help out in kennels, spend a day in court - it's all done in the space of a week so quite easy to fit in. Worth having a look to see if your council offers something similar