From learning to stitch and observing surgeries to pet CPR training, animal loving kids have no better place to be during the summer than at Future Vet Kids Camp in Sydney.
The five-day school holiday program is designed by veterinarians and run by vet twins Dr Audrey and Dr Alison Shen from the ‘Bondi Vet’ TV series and Aussie Mobile Vet.
15-year-old Winston Hills resident Oliver Whetton has been named as a Future Vet Kids Camp’s 2022 Ambassador because of his dedication to the camp and enthusiastic attitude and genuine care for animals.
Oliver is the owner of five chickens, four parrots and a spotted python, and has a dream of one day becoming an exotics veterinarian.
The 2022 camp will be his sixth time attending.
“I like going to camp to go around to animal hospitals, zoos, rehab facilities to learn about how they do things. My favourite lessons were the reptiles, vet hospitals, mobile vet van,” Oliver said.
“I am very excited to become a Future Vet Kids Camp Ambassador and want to encourage people and kids to take proper care of their pets and to raise awareness for wildlife conservation.”
The camp caters to kids aged nine to 16-years-old, and encourages responsible pet ownership, the profession of veterinary medicine, and a love and appreciation of all animals and their habitats.
Campers learn about different animalrelated professions, genetic diseases, pet nutrition, exotic animals, surgery, animal rescue and wildlife conservation.
They also visit state-of-the-art veterinary hospitals for exclusive behind-the-scenes
experiences, and many other exciting excursions.
“There will also be many hands-on activities across the age groups, including making enrichment toys and fake skin for wound care,” Dr Audrey said.
Dr Alison said the junior vets will learn how to work through real life cases, interpret blood work and imaging, and learn how to draw blood and observe real life surgery.
“Whether or not the kids end up following the path to a career in veterinary medicine, just being around many different animals, from Greyhounds to snakes, and making like-minded new friends from around Australia have such a positive impact on them,” she said.
The Sydney camp will be held at Waverley College in Waverley from January 10-14 and January 17-21.
A Virtual Online Camp will run concurrently to the HQ Sydney Camp, with the ability for kids to join the classroom virtually and participate with questions in real time.
To register, visit futurevetkidscamp.com.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.