DVSU Societies

Pathology Club

The RDSVS ACVP is the student chapter of American Collage of Veterinary Pathologist (ACVP). We host talks, journal and clinical case club, wet labs, practical and social events for students interested in the various career opportunities in veterinary pathology or looking to gain more pathology knowledge.

  • Cost of Premium membership: £7
  • General membership: Free
  • Contact us: rdsvs.pathologyclub@ed.ac.uk 
  • Facebook: rdsvs.acvp

Dick Vet Animal Behaviour Society

DVABS is a society for students at R(D)SVS to collaborate and promote the importance of behaviour in the veterinary field. We host webinars, speakers, and events throughout the year that centre around all different aspects of behaviour. In the past year, we have had a variety of events such as seminars on COVID puppies and kittens and visits to a local falconry and the Easter Bush sheep farm!  If you have a keen interest in animal behaviour, please join us for an exciting year. 

Costs- None! Some events have small associated costs, but we aim to subsidize these to encourage participation of all potential members! 

please join us for an exciting year.  

Dick Vet Wildlife Conservation Society (DVWCS)

We are aiming to broaden horizons by inspiring and educating young vet students in the field of wildlife conservation, as well as offering placements, allowing them to actively participate in conservation efforts across the world.

Throughout the year, we organise webinars and interactive sessions, along with fundraising for conservation charities, so that students can get involved in many different areas. We normally run talks once or twice a month, and we are looking to put on workshops and practical sessions in the warmer days. We also have many partnership with conservation volunteering projects which allows students to easily find something to become involved with in their area of interest!

President: Janani Mohan

Vice President: Devyn Birchall

Treasurer: Marinda Collard

Social Media Manager: Thalia Young

Talks and Events Coordinator: Taiga Onishi

Fundraising Manager: Anna Mathers

Membership Fee: £10

Dick Vet Musicians

Do you play the flute, clarinet, piano, violin… (or triangle)? Come along and join us!

We are a non-auditioning orchestra and choir consisting of both vet and non-vet students. We enjoy coming together to share our love of music and performance. We are highly inclusive and welcome all regardless of skill level. Check out any of our social media sites or drop us an email if you’re interested in joining! 🙂

Our rehearsals are on Sundays, with orchestra between 6 and 7, and choir between 7 and 8.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Membership – £5/year

President: Michal Tkacz

Treasurer: Bhadra Nair

Secretary: Marco Wilson

For more information:

Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA)

SAVMA is the Royal (Dick) Vet chapter for the Student American Veterinary Medicine Association, a national organisation whose parent association is the AVMA, SAVMA was created to foster the growth and education amongst veterinary students through the use of webinars, socials, wet labs, NAVLE prep talks and free food Fridays/SAVMA snack baskets.

As the school currently pays for all student memberships, you can take advantage of all the resources available to SAVMA members for free! These include PLIT student liability insurance, SAVMA awards and scholarships, job opportunities and externship locator, free access/early registration to AVMA events such as the annual convention and/or symposium and access to the JAVMA (Journal pf the AVMA) and The Vet Gazette! Follow out Instagram and Facebook pages for up to date notifications on upcoming events and NAVLE prep!

You can also download the SAVMA app which serves as an easy way to stay up to date with SAVMA news, events, registration dates, scholarships and other opportunities. Search SAVMA on the app store.

Membership is open to all and this year our school has covered the cost for every student!

President: Zoe Newsome-McDonnell
President-elect: Amanda Shen

AVS Edinburgh

The Association of Veterinary Students (AVS) seeks to represent, support and engage vet students throughout the UK and Ireland. We are a student-run organisation for students; promoting opportunities, well-being and cooperation between vet schools.

We run yearly events such as the AVS Sports Weekend, AVS Congress and numerous smaller talks within the veterinary school. Become a member today to attend these events. We will be at the vet freshers fair to answer any and all questions you may have.

In the meantime feel free to contact us:

MedAID

Vet MedAID is a student-led charity with the purpose of reducing wastage and supporting charity vet clinics around the world where medical supplies are scarce and less accessible.

Vet practices in the UK generate vast amounts of waste for a multitude of reasons. Strict usage policies and stringent expiry dates combined with the constant flow of new equipment and technology leads to perfectly usable kits being disposed. On the other hand, many vet clinics in other less privileged countries do not have the means to access these vital medical supplies. By collecting medical supplies that clinics no longer need in the UK, we then re-direct these supplies to other clinics who need them.

Here at the RDSVS vet branch of MedAID, our committee members work with local vet clinics around Edinburgh alongside student volunteers on EMS placements to collect and distribute medical supplies. Together we can reduce waste and support clinics around the world.

Get in Touch!

To find out how you can help end excess and stop shortage:

Veterinary Christian Fellowship

We are the Dick Vet Chapter of the national VCF. Our parent organisation aims to unite Christians within the veterinary professions through common loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ and to encourage and support Christian vet students during their studies.

As a group, we meet every week for a bible study with snacks & cake (TBC) at someone’s flat in Edinburgh at 7 or 8pm depending on what suits people’s schedules. This is a free, non-commitment group and we welcome all students with faith and with no faith to come along and find out what it means to be a Christian at vet school. We also have regular social events and there is the opportunity to attend regional VCF meetings a couple of times a year and also the national VCF conference.

Through the national group, we offer a network of Christian vet contacts for mentoring and EMS placements (both here and abroad) and also a potential springboard for veterinary-related mission trips.

Come along and see what the VCF family can offer to you, starting with our Freshers’ breakfast the morning of the last Sunday of Freshers’ Week before heading off to church.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact any of our senior members or join our Facebook group – VCF Edinburgh for latest updates.

Student Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (SVECCS)

SVECCS is a society providing regular talks that cover all aspects of emergency and critical care over a range of species. We will be hosting events on both small and large animals emergencies. 

We will also be running wet-lab sessions, which will give you the chance to practice emergency techniques that could help you save an animal’s life. This society will have something for everyone and will provide a fun environment to discuss emergency care. Members of the society will also be prioritised to complete invaluable EMS in the Hospital for Small Animals Intensive Care Unit, enabling you to gain and perfect vital clinical skills early on during your time at vet school. Additionally, we are aiming to set up a CPR course for students to become trained and certified in small animal CPR. 

Whether you are keen to learn more about the specifics of emergency and critical care, or just want to practice your CPR to the tune of “staying alive” – SVECCS is definitely for you!

We will have a stall at the fresher’s where you will be able to come and speak to some of the committee members in person!

Additionally, please join our Facebook group for up-to-date details about all our upcoming events

Please do not hesitate to get in touch by email to rdsvs.sveccs@gmail.com or s1890547@ed.ac.uk (Jill West – President). We look forward to welcoming you into our new society!

 

American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM)

What’s inside? 

Everyone wants to know what’s inside. 

And I always tell them…JOIN ACVIM!

Founded in 2020, our student chapter of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) is here to help you gain in-depth knowledge into the depths of internal medicine through workshops, research exposure, and guest speakers. We also aim to provide information about advanced training (internships and residencies) for those interested in the various specialties of ACVIM including: neurology, oncology, large animal internal medicine, and small animal internal medicine.

For more information on the organization, please visit ACVIM.org

 

Exmoor Pony Trekking Society

Come trekking with us! The Edinburgh University Exmoor Pony Trekking Society (EUEPTS) is a student-run non-profit with our own herd of fluffy ponies. We run treks in the Pentlands every weekend during term time and cater for every ability – whether you’ve never sat on a horse or whether you have ridden all your life! Experienced students can also take a 1-year course to become a trek leader and get involved with running the section.

Canadian Veterinary Medical Association

The CVMA is the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, which is the official Veterinary association in Canada. The SCVMA is a base for Canadian and any Dick Vet students with an interest in doing EMS or working as a vet in Canada. We are here to help you make connections and ease the transition of both moving abroad and moving to Canada to after veterinary school through socials, lectures and events! Our membership provides you with CVMA website access for valuable information, discounts and Canadian veterinary related resources, including the annual CVMA Convention!

Membership to the club is free! Our sponsor, VetStrategy, also subsidizes an international student affiliate membership with the CVMA. Fill out the form here before November 1st 2022 to get your free membership: https://form.jotform.com/222755284488064

Follow our Facebook or Instagram page where we share knowledge and advice for EMS and finding a job in Canada, the NAVLE and other fun, Canadian-themed events!

Look out for us on-  

 

Student Association of Veterinary Surgery (SAVS)

Established in 2021, SAVS aims to encourage a sense of confidence and curiosity in the world of veterinary surgery. Whether you want to feel more confident performing surgery in general practice or pursue a small or large animal surgical residency, SAVS aims to cultivate a safe community to dive into all topics surrounding surgery, supporting students as they participate in wetlabs, talks, and a variety of other events. We encourage anyone to join and can’t wait to meet you all!

Feel free to drop us a message or check out our facebook page to find out more! 

Dick Vet Art Society

The Dick Vet Art Society, DVAS, is a new society founded in 2021 aiming to bring together students as well as staff within the vet school who are creatively inclined! It comes as no surprise that there is a lot of talent within the Easter Bush campus, and so this society wants to provide a chance for people to explore their interests outside of their degree, while also providing some relaxation. This society has many art related workshops, talks and social events it plans to hold, including the possibility of an exciting Exhibition to showcase members’ work in the future! Be sure to contact us to be added to our emailing list or join our facebook group to keep up to date on all happenings!

 

You can contact us…

Through our society email : dickvetartsociety@gmail.com

Via our Facebook group : Dick Vet Art Society 

Via our instagram page : dick_vet_art_society 

 

University Officer Training Corp (UOTC)

NOT YOUR AVERAGE UNIVERSITY SOCIETY

The University Officers’ Training Corps (UOTC) is an Army Reserve unit that recruits exclusively from university students. Its aim is to train the future generation of Officers for both the Regulars and Reserves, however there is no commitment to join after university.

WHAT WE DO

University students who join the University Officers’ Training Corps will have the opportunity to undertake Reserve Officer training modules designed to fit around their degrees. This will teach you everything from how to wear a uniform correctly to the ability to lead others in stressful situations. The UOTC provides a standard of experience and training that is well respected within the Army, and highly sought after by numerous civilian employers.

The UOTC also develops leadership through Sport and Adventurous Training. Each unit has teams for most major sports and in Adventurous Training, you can experience everything from kayaking to rock climbing.

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN

You will be given internationally recognised leadership training, make life-long friends and earn money. 

All training is designed to fit around your academic calendar, your studies will always have priority.

And like any other university society, every unit holds regular social events. These can anything from formal Regimental dinners to fancy dress nights!

As a veterinary student, should you decide to make a commitment to join the Army after University you may also be eligible for a £5,000 per year bursary award in the final 3 years of your studies, as well as a £45,000 lump sum when you complete Professionally Qualified Officer training.

INTERESTED?

More information can be found on the UOTC Page of the British Army Website Here. Alternatively, feel free to contact us directly at RMAS-Gp-OTCEdinburgh-Admissions@mod.gov.uk

Dick Vet Shelter Medicine Club

What is shelter medicine?
Shelter Medicine is all about improving the lives of homeless animals; whether they are living in a state-of-the-art rehoming centre or out on the streets.

What do we do?
Our club targets for helping students know more about shelter medicine and provide opportunities for students interested through talks, fundraising, volunteering, field trips and EMS placements.
Previous events:

  • Talks including pragmatic approach to the pelvis, golden oldies, feral cat chat, cat behavior talk, chicken rescue talk, what is shelter medicine etc
  • Plant sale, bake sale
  • Access to resources including Cat Protection’s behavior conference, EMS placements in different charities and rescue places

We welcome students from all year
join us for free
enjoy upcoming events and learn more about shelter medicine!

Dick Vet Debate Society

“We want to give people the opportunity to:
Improve their public speaking in a supportive environment
Discuss relevant issues including but not limited to veterinary medicine

We will be in touch with all relevant information about organised debates via email.

Debates will be once a week over a Thursday lunch (1-2pm). A Facebook account may be coming soon.

Debates are 2-a-side, each speaker has a few minutes to speak, then there’s a period where anyone can ask a question to either side.

There are no fees. There’s no obligation to speak either, you can have as much or as little involvement as you want.

  • President: Benjy
  • Vice president: Amy
  • Treasurer: Nandini

All4Paws

All4Paws is a student-run, vet-supervised clinic for pets of people who are homeless and vulnerably housed around Edinburgh. We run clinics every week from our new permanent location on Nicholson St. We provide health checks, flea/worming treatments, vaccinations, microchipping, spay & neuter/veterinary advice, basic treatments, and supplies such as food, toys, blankets etc. for our 100+ client base around the city.

Vets are present to supervise at each clinic, but the attending students do much of the work. It is a great environment for practising your consultation and clinical skills. Being on the committee allows you to consistently help at our clinics throughout your third and fourth years as well as being a part of a really rewarding cause. All4Paws is quite a complex setup, but don’t worry you won’t be thrown in the deep end. Our system is that as a third-year committee member, you’d be shadowing a current fourth-year member who will show you the ropes, so you can take over the role in your fourth year and train up someone else so the cycle can continue.

Have some questions for the current committee before applying? Feel free to email us at all4pawsedinburgh@gmail.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Also, be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram to see more of what we do!

Dick Vet Feline Medicine Club

We are the first vet school feline medicine society in the UK! Bringing all things cat knowledge and experience to Dick vet students through events, talks and fun socials.

Find us of facebook or email us at dickvetfms@gmail.com

Dick Vet Student Association of Veterinary Surgery

Hello! We are the R(D)SVS Student Association of Veterinary Surgery, also known as SAVS. Through suture labs led by your colleagues to more formal cadaver wet labs we want to support you wherever you are in your surgery journey. Whether you are new to surgery or know you’re going to be board certified in the future we would love to learn with you!

Costs: None! Some wet-labs will have a small fee

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact any of the committee members below or send an email to dickvetsavs@gmail.com

Contacts:

  • Chloe Rejniak (President)
  • Medhavini Saxena (Vice President)
  • Veronica Alamo (Secretary)
  • Margo Crausaz (Treasurer)
  • Bonnie Yang (Wet Lab Coordinator)
  • Naveen Yeung (Fundraising Coordinator)
  • Susan He (Year 3 Class Rep)

Dick Vet Aquatic Medicine Society

EAVMS is the first European student chapter of the World Aquatic Veterinary Medicine Association (WAVMA) newly established in 2020. We are open to all students interested in aquatic veterinary medicine whether it be marine mammals, elasmobranchs, aquatic invertebrates, sea turtles, amphibians, or fish in the aquaculture or pet industries. If it swims or lives in water, we’re all about it!

What do we do?

We aim to provide access to supplementary educational opportunities outside the scope of traditional veterinary medicine through talks, practical sessions, and field trips centered around aquatic animals. This year we will be creating an extensive members-only database of aquatic externships and EMS placements. All interested student members can join by emailing us their name, year of study, preferred email, and mobile number (optional), and must be current members of WAVMA.

What is WAVMA?

WAVMA is a worldwide network of aquatic veterinarians seeking to offer support, continuing education, and ongoing professional development to anyone interested in aquatic veterinary medicine. WAVMA membership is only 25 USD a year and includes: access to The Aquatic Veterinarian online medical journal released quarterly; exclusive eligibility to apply to an aquatic medicine-based scholarship for placements and research projects; discounts to WAVMA meetings, symposiums, and webinars; access to the listserv; available job listings; and 50% of dues go directly back into our society activities. Additionally, being a part of WAVMA gives access to the WAVMA Certified Aquatic Veterinarian Program (CertAqV), currently the only formal program for aquatic veterinary medicine as there is no official board certification at this time. You can join WAVMA here: https://www.wavma.org/Become-a-member

Who are we?

We are a group of like-minded veterinary students excited to bring aquatic veterinary medicine to the Dick Vet! Feel free to contact us at edi.aquaticmed.society@gmail.com or email any of our committee members below with questions:

  • President – Katrina
  • Vice President – Isabella
  • Social Chair – Olivia
  • Secretary – Emily
  • Treasurer – Kenna

Find us on: