Meet the Lab team who vet would-be student vets
A FAMILY of Labradors is being used to help recruit vet students during unusual induction sessions at a Scottish university.
Father Simba, mother Tia and puppy Fern joined the interview panel during recruitment sessions at Napier University’s Sighthill campus.
The trio were let loose among applicants taking part in a group discussion exercise, receiving hugs and claps from the group.
During the discussion, academic staff assessed students vying for a place on the BSc (Hons) vet nursing programme.
University staff said having the dogs present helped assess the ability of applicants to communicate with both animals and humans.
Jodie Smith, lecturer and programme recruitment officer, said: “Having dogs present in interviews, in particular good quality Labradors, tests the aptitude of potential students for dealing with animals.
“Their presence also helps the assessors hone in on candidates’ intuitive skills for working with dogs, which make up a large proportion of the patients in any veterinary practice.”
Staff say Simba, Tia and Fern helped create a “tension-free” atmosphere in the recruitment room.
The university has previously used dogs as part of the process of selecting student vets.
The current canine helpers, who were used in communication skills group exercises involving around a dozen prospective students, come from breeders Saber’s Pride.
Simba, Tia and Fern are Red Fox Labradors which are training with the APPAWS charity to become therapy dogs for people with autism.
This particular breed line of Labrador is felt to have the right combination of skills to calm, and communicate with, autistic adults and children.
Ms Smith added: “Each year we have very tough competition for places on the BSc (Hons) veterinary nursing programme.
“Incorporating dogs into the selection procedure allows applicants to display their skills in an authentic setting and greatly helps the decision-making process.”
Labradors are also increasingly used by police forces as drug and cash detection dogs.
They are viewed as having a good temperament and a high drive to both search for and play which is vital for the role.