Train the Trainer certifies two new veterinarians in China

In October, Dr Zhao Lin and Dr Zhao Qian underwent stringent assessment by Vets for Compassion (VFC) experts, to establish their suitability as trainers for our veterinary team in China. The doctors passed with flying colours, and it was noted how both demonstrated gentle patient care, excellent knowledge, adherence to VFC procedures and meticulous skills as anaesthetists and surgeons.

Both newly qualified vets have been working with ACTAsia and VFC for some years, and have taken part in our training initiatives themselves. Dr Qian has supported community events, including our Little Vets Summer Camps, where children learn about the physical and emotional needs of animals, and Dr Lin has been implementing new concepts and procedures learnt from VFC vets at her own practice. Lin is keen to take her knowledge back to her home town where she grew up in a farming community.

The TTT certification took place over a week of veterinary training events in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, organised by the dedicated Dr Yu, a relative newcomer to the programme, and supported by Dr Jiao, Dr Yin and Dr Duan. Recently qualified Dr Xu also attended to learn the ropes from his more experienced peers. Dr Libby and Angel Lau provided translation skills, and Dr Li Yining, owner of the ElfPet Hospital along with the local university facilitated the event.

80 trainers took part in theoretical training, 23 in dry-lab training (working with models in a surgery environment) and ten trainees took part in hands-on surgical training with animals. Training included updated information from the recently translated WSAVA Pain Management Guidelines, a very useful resource. Each of the ten surgical trainees spayed a cat, and on a separate patient managed aneasthesia for a spay procedure. All cats were brought in by local Taiyuan pet-owners, and all recovered well.

Following on from the TTT event, three days of Continuing Professional Development took place. 20 delegates took part in training, including instruction on treating head trauma and CPR, emergency anaesthesia and surgery, and specialist procedures such as the administration of feeding tubes, epidurals, oesophagostomy tubes, urethral catheterisation and other interventions requiring advanced expertise.

Over the course of the event, VFC vet Rebecca Weight identified several veterinarians she thought suitable to join the programme as trainers themselves. “I approached several trainees who demonstrated exceptional diligence, willingness to learn and helpful attitudes, and all showed a strong interested in joining our programme. I am very proud to see how well our programme is running.”