VetSCO

About VetSCO

The Veterinary Student Community Outreach (VetSCO) group is an outreach program organized by veterinary and nursing students at the faculty of veterinary sciences in Onderstepoort with a sole purpose of exposing veterinary students to a wider perspective in terms of practical experience in their field of study. The group aims to help veterinary students and para-veterinary students to be more self-confident in their practical abilities which in turn may alleviate fear associated with a lack of confidence and inexperience. Furthermore it is the vision of the group to create awareness about animal health issues in rural communities.

Goals & Objectives

The following are the main goals and objects of the project:

• Improve animal health and welfare in rural communities
• Students in Onderstepoort will be more exposed to practical learning in communities.
• To create an opportunity for Vets and Vet-nurse students to work together on clinical cases.
• For students to develop skills in animal handling, clinical examination and primary animal health care.
• Stir interest in community work and empowerment.
• Develop ‘people skills’, communication with clients and educating them.
• Create strong relations between communities and animal clinics.
• Improve human health through control of zoonotic diseases (Rabies).
• Create opportunity for one health collaboration.