Coventry pupils experience vet life at PDSA

19 July 2023

A group of schoolchildren from Coventry have had a taste of life as a vet thanks to a school trip to their local PDSA Pet Hospital.

The pupils in year 3 and 4 at Bablake Junior School were invited to visit the Pet Hospital as a ‘thank you’ after they raised £100 for the charity by making and selling cards.

Head Nurse Sarah Lockton and Client Services Manager Sheena Brookes showed the pupils around the site.

“It was a pleasure to host the children from Bablake Junior School here at Coventry PDSA Pet Hospital this week,” Sarah said. “We gave them a brief history of PDSA, a bit of information about our founder Maria Dickin, as well as a tour of the clinic.

“The children were able to look at some old x-rays, where they were particularly shocked by a cat’s broken leg and a dog that had eaten some stones, as well as seeing actual bones and bladder stones, too. We also let them listen to their own heartbeats through a stethoscope.”

Mr Honey from the school said the children had a ‘brilliant day’.

“The children had a brilliant day and we can’t thank PSDA enough for showing us around,” he said.

“Some of the students are already planning their next fundraising activities for PDSA and others said the trip made them want to become vets when they grow up.”

The school and Pet Hospital are within walking distance from one another on Coundon Road.  

“It was wonderful to hear that some of the children want to help raise more money for PDSA and even better to hear, some came away from the day wanting to pursue a veterinary career.” Sarah added. “Early education like this is so important for animal welfare and I wish them all the best of luck!” 

For anyone wanting to learn more about PDSA, or starting your own fundraiser, please visit: Fundraising for PDSA - PDSA

The idea of a veterinary service for the pets of those most in need first came to PDSA founder Maria Dickin when she visited some of London’s poorest communities over 100 years ago. She was shocked by the dire human poverty, but it was the sight of animals suffering in silence that she found unbearable.

The plight of these animals struck Maria again when her own beloved dog became seriously ill. She was lucky enough to be able to afford vet fees, but what about the pets of those who couldn’t?

After a long struggle for funding, Maria Dickin finally opened the doors to the first People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals in 1917. 100 years later and PDSA relies on donations to deliver life-saving treatment to hundreds of thousands of pets across its 48 Pet Hospitals in the UK.