Murdoch Veterinary Student Association
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
The Canine Interest Group is the group for dog lovers who want to learn more about everything man's four-legged best friend. They host a variety of fun events including talks from service dog groups, speciality vets and even animal behaviourists! So if 'Rex' is your entire world and you want to know more get in touch with this group! (Simply click on the logo to go to their FB page)
Want to work in the bovine industry someday but don't know how to start or where to put your hoof in to get you started? Consider contacting the BIG-gest SIG in vet. The Bovine Interest Group holds a tonne of awesome events tailored at getting you everything you need to know about cattle and its related Australian industry. From their big events of the Camp Draft to talks from every relevant bovine person you could think of; the bovine interest group is there for you! (click on their logo to head to their FB page to find out more!)
Are you a little cat crazy? Do you find yourself drawn to fluffy kittens or Grumpy Cat? Well then the Feline Interest Group is the SIG for you! Much like their canine counterpart this SIG is focussed on all things catty. They host a series of fun events ranging from the FIG Jam to a cat handling workshop so you can learn exactly how to handle 'Fluffy' in the most comfortable and safe manner possible. (Click the logo to find out more!)
For those of you that are more into the public health side of the veterinary world it would be strongly recommended that you consider joining MAVPH. These guys are the be all and end all when it comes to knowledge about the wonderful worlds of epidemiology, human-animal disease interaction and correct management of pandemics. If some crazed zoonotic agent breaks out these guys are the ones you want at your side. They run a series of talks throughout the year from various people within the public health vet world. Make sure you check them out! (click the logo to head to their FB group)
Always loved horses? Did you grow up watching The Saddle Club? Well the, the EIG is the SIG for you. This SIG, as their name implies, focuses solely on the care, management and treatment of horses - and they do an amazing job! They run a series of talks over the year and have their own career's night where students can directly interact with people in the equine industry! On top of that they co-host the Rural Practice Weekend with BIG (this is followed by the Barn Dance). So if horses are your thing make sure to check these guys out (Click the logo to go to their FB page)
For those with a business like mind and dreams of owning and succesfully running their own practice, the VBMA is the SIG to join. They run 3 major events throughout the year: The VBMA Conference, Networking Dinner and Career's Night. All of these aim to provide students with ample amounts of information, skills, contacts and ideas to help them succeed in the business world. However even for those with no aspirations of owning their own practice, this SIG can help provide you with a better understanding of a clinic as owners see it; something which may come in handy some day! To find out more just get in touch with the VBMA (clicking the logo will take you to their FB page)
Surgery, it's something everyone has to consider as a part of their future career. Sure there is always the option to simply just do consults all day but few people will opt for that. However surgery is no easy task and can prove challenging for the inexperienced. But fear not! For MAVS is coming to your rescue! They hold a series of practical events that allows students to practice surgical techniques from suturing to post mortem examinations! These guys are well equipped to handle any surgical struggle! If you want to find out more simply click on their logo to check out their FB page.
PIG is the SIG to scamper to if you are one for the porcine beasts. These guys are one of the only SIGs that is so well named that they actually form an incredibly accurate acronym for their interest! They hold a series of talks throughout the year on all things pink and piggy. So if you are a lover of Babe, Wilbur or Ms Piggy and wanted to know more about the porcine industry and vets try and snuff these guys out! (Click their logo to head ton their FB page)
Did you grow up wanting to be the veterinary version of Steve Irwin? Protecting our native fauna from the threats of humans, feral animals and habitat loss is the reason this SIG exists. They do many things all to do with native wildlife. This includes reptile handling sessions, talks from vets in the industry and trips to wildlife habitats. If this sounds like things you want to get involved with then look for these guys in the wilderness of Facebook (or just click the logo).
WAVMA is the SIG to join if whales, dolphins, parrotfish and other marine life have always interested you. They do hold a series of talks and are directly linked with the official veterinary body existing in Western Australia. If you want to fish out some more information cast your lines to FB and source these guys out (or click their logo).
Snakes, rats, mice, lagomorphs and birds are becoming a more frequently kept pet around Australia. This has created a little more demand for vets to know the appropriate care, handling and treatment of these exotic animals. So if you want to keep up with the trend or eventually specialise in exotic animal care, MACE is the SIG to scurry to. They hold multiple talks from amazing vets such as Dr. James Haberfield from the Unusual Pet Vets, an entire weekend dictated to exotic animal practice and many other amazing and interesting events. Want to know more? Scamper off to Facebook and check these guys out (click the logo to be a little faster).
Do you see yourself as the intrepid adventurer who would fly to Beijing to treat a panda named 'Lee' one day and then off to Canada to treat a moose the next? Have you caught the travel bug and want to experience the veterinary life in another country? Then it would be best to let the Murdoch Travelling Veterinary Students (MTVS) help you plan your future excursions. They bring forward a whole series of speakers and events to help show you how the rest of the world works. Beyond that they conduct an annual trip to India! So if you feel like it hop aboard the MTVS. Find out more from their Facebook page, available by clicking their logo!
