TAFE NSW, Media Release, 21 August 2024

A hi-tech and eerily lifelike canine mannequin is giving aspiring veterinary nurses at TAFE NSW Yallah priceless hands-on experience.

A state-of-the-art canine mannequin imported from the US recently arrived at the campus, allowing animal studies and vet nursing students to practice important clinical skills, such as intubating, CPR, bandaging, and even ear cleaning.

TAFE NSW Yallah animal studies teacher and local vet nurse Belinda Ruttledge said the mannequin had become like a real pet for the class and was helping students hone their clinical skills without posing any risk to a live animal.

“Veterinary simulation mannequins provide a realistic platform for our students to gain hands on experience to become familiar with the procedures and processes in a controlled environment before encountering real-life emergencies,” Ms Ruttledge said.

“Using simulators ensures students can learn and refine their skills without the pressure of dealing with live patients.”

Ms Ruttledge said the mannequins even had feedback monitors, allowing students to get a “green light” when performing CPR at the correct pace and depth.

Vet nursing jobs are in a steep growth phase, with Jobs and Skills Australia predicting the number of nurses will skyrocket from the current number of 10,700 to 17,800 by 2026.

TAFE NSW Yallah vet nursing graduate Michelle Reid, 35, had spent more than a decade as a teacher’s aide in special education before pivoting to vet nursing as a different type of caring role. She balanced her studies in the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at TAFE NSW Yallah with her teacher’s aide role and part-time work at Dapto Veterinary Clinic.

“I’ve always had dogs and it appealed to me to pursue a caring role, but a different type of caring to my teacher’s aide job,” Ms Reid said.

“The course has been so beneficial and I really enjoy how hands-on it is. The equipment at the campus is great and next week we’re going to a local vet clinic to work on a live patient for the surgical nursing and anesthetic unit.”

Ms Reid said she hoped to continue working in vet nursing and eventually become a TAFE NSW animal studies teacher to help training the next generation of vet nurses.