30-year-old Horse Trust scholar achieves prestigious veterinary qualificationHorse Trust scholar Jennie Henderson, 30, has been awarded the Diploma of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine, making her one of the youngest equine internal medicine specialists in the UK.
Equine internal medicine involves the treatment of non-surgical internal conditions in horses such as colic, sick neonatal foals, heart or respiratory problems.
Jennie has been working towards her Diploma programme at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, and at the Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic in Kent for the last five years. Before that she was a veterinary student at Liverpool University for five years.
She was awarded a Clinical Training Scholarship by The Horse Trust, which has supported her training for the last three years. The charity's scholarship scheme aims to improve equine welfare and performance through specialist training of clinical experts.
As well as passing the final Diploma exam - a tough exam that only 50 percent of candidates pass - Jennie has been awarded an MSc by research, has published two papers in peer reviewed journals and has presented at national and international meetings.
"I am extremely grateful to The Horse Trust for sponsoring my Residency at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Bell Equine Clinic, which has enabled me to achieve a long-term ambition of becoming a Diplomate of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine," said Jennie.
Jennie is currently working at Kildangan Stud in Co. Kildare, Ireland. This well-known stud farm is run by Darley, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's global breeding operation. Her work at the farm is focused on mare reproduction and neonatal foals. She is due to complete her contract in June and then hopes to find a permanent role.
"I would love to work in an equine hospital or veterinary practice," said Jennie. "Equine internal medicine is a new field so there aren't that many jobs around - many veterinary practices in the UK don't have internal medicine specialists, although it's much more common in the US."
Jennie initially developed an interest in equine internal medicine when she was a student at Liverpool University.
"When I was a vet student at Liverpool University, I worked with foaling mares and got interested in the mare and foal side of things," said Jennie.
Professor Bruce McGorum, Head of the Equine Hospital at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, who acted as Jennie Henderson's principal supervisor, said: "Gaining this prestigious Diploma is a great achievement by Jennie and serves as a testament to the strength of the equine medicine programme at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. The School is now the European leader, having trained seven Diplomates of the College of Equine Internal Medicine."
NOTES:
The aim of an equine scholarship is to provide specialist training in equine clinical subjects to veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom. The individual appointed to fill the post (the resident) must be a veterinary graduate who has at least two year’s experience in veterinary practice, and whose degree is registerable with the RCVS.
Scholarships are awarded to eligible institutions. Those that are eligible are:
UK university, veterinary schools, other university departments and institutes in the UK that have an interest in the horse, recognised charitable institutions in the UK e.g. The Animal Health Trust and equine veterinary practices with registered equine hospitals in the UK. The host institution is responsible for the appointment of the scholar.
As a result of a burgeoning programme of ongoing commitments to grant funding, The Horse Trust has decided not to invite applications for scientific research projects and clinical facility and equipment awards this year. This would be for projects commencing in 2010.
The programme of 3 year clinical scholarships will continue but unfortunately competition will be high as there will be only one new scholarship place available for 2010. The deadline for applications is, as usual, 1st May. The results will be promulgated in August to allow the successful applicant to recruit their scholar to start in January 2010.
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