The department has welcomed Murdoch University veterinary medicine students Naomi Taylor, Deva Subramaniam, Wei Kai Phang, Rachel Lim and Satvir Sekhon to take part in a six week internship.
The program provides the cohort with knowledge on the State’s biosecurity system including opportunities to work across surveillance and control, epidemiology, emergency animal disease, aquatics, animal welfare, policy and field-based activities.
The interns are paired with the department’s field vet team in Albany conducting hands-on work with livestock producers across the region.
They will also work with the department’s experienced vets to collect faecal samples from migrating wild birds as part of ongoing surveillance activities for exotic animal diseases such as avian influenza.
A/Chief Veterinary Officer Katie Webb said the department was investing in the future of Western Australia’s veterinary workforce.
“This internship is an excellent way to mentor the students in various disciplines of veterinary medicine and help build their capability and confidence,” Dr Webb said.
“These experiences are equipping students with the skills necessary to support the State’s biosecurity preparedness and assist in potential emergency animal diseases response efforts in the future.
”There are some great career pathways available across WA’s primary industries and exciting veterinary roles on offer in regional WA.”
One of the 2024 vet program graduates Dr Matthew Johnson joined the department earlier this year as a field veterinary officer in another program offered by DPIRD. The program supports the development of early career veterinarians and provides mentoring from experienced veterinarians.
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