“Enjoy being a work in progress.”  ~ unknown

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We are proud to be a part of Western Australia's Murdoch University Veterinary School's 'Extramural Farm Experience Program.' It's been running for several decades now. Wadi Farm joined in 2008. A friend's daughter, who was studying Veterinary medicine, asked to come for work experience one year, and recommended that we join the program. Twelve years on and we have taken a break for a year or two due to family commitments, but look forward to continuing to accept students in the near future.

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1st to 3rd year Veterinary and Animal Science students come to stay at Wadi Farm for a week at a time throughout the year. We used to take single students, we now generally take two students at a time. These budding professionals come to learn more about large animal handling - specifically equine behaviour/recognition and hands-on handling techniques, some of which is outside their normal comfort zone. There are not many places that teach kindness/affirmative handling working with a herd of eleven 'unconfined' horses, some wild born rescues. Keeping an eye on individuals in a large paddock situation and out in the bush requires keen observational skills as well as (at times!) emotional fitness, breathing techniques, and good peripheral vision.  

 

Our (largely regenerative) farm management techniques, mutual respect/affirmative handling ethos and combined use of modern veterinary services as well as holistic medication, and differing modalities to treat trauma, illness and injury in horses (depending on the individual's need), gives the students a broader understanding of horses and of approaches to healing generally. It's a jam-packed week, but everyone seems to enjoy themselves! Plus the students get time to themselves for study and/or sight-seeing.

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We receive a nominal (and I do mean nominal) fee for each student, to cover food/accommodation, or part thereof. We do it largely because for us, it's about way more than the $$. It's about the horses and what we can do to make their stay in our lives a little easier. Personally, I also learn a little bit more about myself and the world around me every time.

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Since 2008 we have also hosted to volunteers/volunteer students from overseas and Australia, and hosted days for School and Agricultural College students. All wanting to learn more about improved horse handling techniques and available holistic practises. 

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The below collage is just a few of the photos taken by myself and those students, over the years. We have now hosted well over 60 individuals, from Australia and overseas...more than I can post photos of! I have been delighted to meet each and every one of these wonderful young - and mature age - men and women, from home and abroad. Large animal vets in rural Australia are in sad decline and it's lovely to see some still keen to aim in that direction. All of the students we've hosted have been hard working, compassionate, dedicated individuals. Many of them are facing their own challenges as well as educational ones and we have the greatest respect for their dreams and aspirations. 'Doctor of Veterinary Medicine' is a six year course in Australia, and at least 30% of students don't make it to third year.

 

We hope that all those who have, and are yet to visit us, find their passion (whatever that it), and follow their hearts, and become great at whatever they do.

 

And yes ladies and gents, feel free to come back and visit anytime! We have kept in touch with many who are now proudly sporting letters after their names, and are doing great things in Vet practises around the country.

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