Royal seal of approval for Lancashire’s only Vet School

The University of Lancashire’s School of Veterinary Medicine facility was given the royal seal of approval by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

The Princess Royal toured the state-of-the-art veterinary teaching and clinical facilities and met students, and academics involved in training the next generation of veterinary surgeons.

Her Royal Highness visited clinical skills spaces, simulated operating theatres, an anatomy laboratory and the hydrotherapy rehabilitation suite, which included a meeting with one of the School’s canine teaching assistants.

She also observed an equine skills session and was shown three of the school’s innovative and interactive learning areas - the interactive digital Anatomage tables, haptic simulators and the 4D Digital Immersion Suite, which allows immersive interactive teaching and is equipped with interactive walls, sounds and odours.

Professor Heather Bacon, dean of school of veterinary medicine, said: "She was very interested to hear how we are breaking down barriers to make education accessible to all and creating confident, skilled and compassionate veterinary professionals from a wide range of backgrounds."

In addition to demonstrating the commitment to high-quality education via practical, hands-on learning in immersive and simulated clinical environments, the visit highlighted the School’s mission to create confident, skilled and compassionate professionals from a wide range of backgrounds.

It was also an opportunity to explain how the School has a special focus on the emotional well-being and professional skills of students, supporting them to navigate complex challenges throughout a demanding but rewarding career caring for and treating animals.

The Princess Royal met a group of Lancashire dignitaries, including University of Lancashire Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire Amanda Parker and High Sheriff of Lancashire Jim Carter. She was escorted throughout the visit by Professor Heather Bacon OBE, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine.

Prof Bacon, who accepted her insignia from Her Royal Highness at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 2022, said: “We all know The Princess Royal is a great advocate for veterinary education and the important role that vets play in supporting animal health and welfare.

“During this visit she was impressed to see the variety of our fantastic cutting-edge facilities and teaching spaces and was very interested to hear how we are breaking down barriers to make education accessible to all and creating confident, skilled and compassionate veterinary professionals from a wide range of backgrounds.”

Georgia Holt, student president of the school of veterinary medicine, said: “To have the Princess Royal visit our Vet School is fantastic and very much puts us on the map.

Jon Baldwin, pro-chancellor and chair of the university board at the University of Lancashire, invited Her Royal Highness to unveil a plaque to commemorate the occasion and Georgia Holt, student president of the School of Veterinary Medicine, presented a posy of flowers to Her Royal Highness.

Leanne Stagg, veterinary clinical lecturer, said: “The Princess Royal was very engaged with what we were doing.

“We, as a university, really want to diversify and really open up and widen the participation that we have from students.

“Digital technology is something that is coming into every workforce, and veterinary is no different from that.

“It gives them some aspects of learning from a digital point of view and will be able to use that going out into the field.

“The Princess Royal was very impressed by all of the equipment here and all the investment as well.

“We are starting to see a lot of international students taking interest in the course.”

Peter Holland, associate dean for business and partnerships, said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic.

"There's been such a huge amount of work over the past four or five years that the university has put in to create the newest Vet school in the country.

“The visit is a fantastic endorsement of what everybody's tried to achieve and what we're going to achieve in the future.

“It's all about hands on, practically experienced, peer coaching, and learning from mistakes. The Veterinary profession is a very tricky profession and has many challenges.

“We want to make sure our graduates are as well prepared for that workforce as they can be.”