Large animal training at Dookie supports future leaders in veterinary medicine

Future leaders in equine, cattle and sheep veterinary medicine have received hands-on training in how to safely handle and care for large animals through intensive training held at the University of Melbourne’s Dookie campus.

^{A cattle teaching yard at the University of Melbourne Dookie Campus. Credit: The University of Melbourne}

Through the training program, 160 first-year students studying the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) are gaining practical animal handling experience and life-long clinical skills this year.

Running at the University's Dookie campus since 2023, the program employs local veterinarians alongside teaching staff to help carry out the training.

University of Melbourne Dr Jenny Raffetto, Senior Lecturer in Equine Surgery, teaches in the program.

“Our animal handling program ensures every student, regardless of their background before entering, has the opportunity to develop practical skills, build confidence with animals and discover areas of veterinary medicine they may not have previously considered,” Dr Raffetto said.

“Helping students understand how their own actions influence an animal’s response is one of my favourite parts of teaching. It’s a lesson that extends to how we work with all animals and their owners.”

^{Dr Jenny Raffetto teaches DVM student Tom about handling horses. Credit: The University of Melbourne}

First year DVM students, Marcus Lim and Innuka Ong, shared their experiences.

“The horses have been really fun this week. Something surprising I learnt is that it's a lot safer than you think. The animals are quite responsive so if you're alert and aware, it's quite safe,” Marcus said.

“I was surprised to learn that technique matters more than strength in large animal handling. I thought it would make sense to be strong to succeed as a large animal vet, but I learnt it was the opposite of that,” Innuka said.

Purpose-built facilities at the University of Melbourne’s Dookie campus including sheep teaching yards and updated cattle races greatly support the program.

Shepparton-based cattle veterinarian, Dr Chris Nelson, completed the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2024 and now teaches the DVM students about cattle handling. She covers safely approaching and haltering cattle in a cattle crush and moving and drafting cattle in yards.

"It's rewarding to see the confidence of students greatly improve through the program in handling and feeling safe around large animals,” Dr Nelson said.

"The training develops important foundational skills from day one that students can take to future placements involving large animals. Exposing students early on in their vet studies to this type of learning will hopefully develop more large animal vets," she said.

^{Dr Chris Nelson teaches DVM students about safety handing and moving cows. Credit: The University of Melbourne}

The DVM training program in Dookie ran between 23 March and 2 April 2026.