Community
Education and Lecture programme
Many of our staff have experience in giving talks and presentations to various groups. We are always open to suggestions if your school/WI/bird club/etc would like an entertaining speaker! We are also experienced at providing Key Stage support for schools in many areas of the curriculum. As a rough idea of what we've done recently:
For schools: A Day In The Life (Vet or Veterinary Nurse); Pre-school age+
For schools: Local Wildlife; Reception age+
For schools: Careers With Animals; Usually age 14+
General: British Wildlife
General: Sea Mammals (seals, dolphins, whales, etc)
General: A Day In The Life
General: Elderly Pets
General: First Aid For Dogs/Cats
General: Caring For Your New Puppy/Kitten
Specialist groups: Reptile Husbandry
Specialist groups: Safe Hibernation For Tortoises
Specialist groups: Herd Health
Specialist groups: Veterinary Care Of... (insert species/breed here!)
Please contact the surgery for more information.
Christmas decorationsAnyone who has passed the surgery in the last ten years cannot have missed the annual display which lights up Castle Street from early December. It all began with half a car coming out of the front of the building many years ago; and some of the more recent designs have included a working miniature railway, Buzz Lightyear and an enchanted forest. Each year money is raised for a local good cause and we have been awarded several "Best Display in Dover Town Centre" trophies! All of the work on the building is done by volunteer staff and friends of the practice and although it doesn't directly benefit the veterinary work which goes on inside, we raise money and it brings visitors to the town which can only be a good thing. Ideas for the next display are most welcome... {Above left, 2004. Above right, 2006}
Fetes and Fairs
Every Summer we participate in many local events. Its a great opportunity to get to know our staff and have a go with some of our displays; "Try Being A Vet" usually proves the most popular, along with our large-scale version of the game "Operation"! Details about where we'll be next will be posted on the News section. {Right: Hannah shows a prospective nurse how to use an otoscope. Below: Steady hands on Operation}
SchoolsAs a training practice, we are committed to education and this can start at an early age. Our staff have visited schools and youth groups to talk to young people with a variety of displays - with or without some of our patients! Pupils from Year 10 and above are also welcome to apply for Work Experience placements - the application form can be downloaded from the Staff section of this site and should be returned to the Practice Manager.
{Below: one of our displays on our zoo work}
Biology Applied
Every academic year we run an applied biology course for sixth-form students. Students are usually (but certainly not always) aiming for careers in Medicine or Veterinary Medicine; and must have a passion for the natural world and a desire to see their A-Level biology courses come alive. This year sessions have included: Bacteriology, Haematology, Evolutionary Biology; Anatomy; Pharmacology and Ecology. Details of the course are sent to schools during the previous term. If you are studying A-Level biology and would like to be considered for next year's course, please contact us at the Castle Street surgery.
{Below: Jeremy demonstrates knee anatomy!}
Dock Rock
Every few years the staff, led by head Vet Jeremy Stattersfield, stage a free day-long live music event at Wellington Dock on Dover seafront. August 2009 was our biggest yet, raising thousands of pounds for local charities. 14 bands performed for over 10 hours on two stages, thousands of people came to enjoy the music, and the beer tent ran dry.
DOCK ROCK 2009