veterinary work experince advice

[patchworkchick]

Any advice or suggestions for work experience, this evening had 2 lots cancelled by email for no reason and have a very upset teen. Needs 6 weeks work experience and central London is proving to be almost impossible.

PDSA?

How old is your DC? Lots of places will not take under 18s any more.

Most of the people I know now take a gap year so they can get the experience in after they are 18.

Zoos often run courses for young people want to get into vet science but they can be expensive (and London Zoo is very competitive to get on).

Most people here go for places like

Pet shops (Independent can be better)
City farms

Falconry centres
Stables

Best bet would be to approach private practices for kennel work. It's a great way to get experience of animal handling/husbandry.

Thanks, in year 12 going into year 13. Really not easy for under 18 and to apply for veterinary science must have a minimum of 6 weeks. Our local vet has been brilliant, its just the extra larger animal work and general variety thats proving to be harder as we live in such an urban area. Tried Zoo's and the courses were signed up a year in advance and hugely expensive. Just wondered what others have done.

A friend's DD did a week (possibly two) at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Not large animals, but probably better than nothing.

The girl also did some sort of stable management course at a local riding school.

Definitely agree with City Farms.

Perhaps a bit of a left field suggestion, and I have to admit that I don't know much about VetMed applications, but you could try looking for farms through WorkAway.info HelpX.net and WWOOF. All have listings of farmers (and others) who want people to go and work for them in exchange for bed and board. It's the summer holidays at the moment, so I see no reason why she shouldn't leave London for a bit.

Thanks everyone for your advice, about to start work experience!