Int. Qualification for Scholar
This is the latest stage in Lucy's varied veterinary career*, which included a PhD studying disease in an endangered Australian marsupial, the Western Barred Bandicoot. Veterinary pathology is a branch of veterinary science that aims to understand the changes in an animal's tissues and organs which cause or are caused by disease.
Lucy returned from Australia on Tuesday, where she took written, practical and oral exams towards her membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists. Lucy is delighted to have passed the membership exams*, which requires candidates to achieve at least 70 percent in each of the five exams.
Lucy is now hoping to work towards qualifying exams for the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. This is an internationally recognised qualification enabling registration as a specialist veterinary pathologist.
Lucy was awarded a Clinical Training Scholarship by The Horse Trust in April 2008, which supports her training in veterinary pathology, specialising in equine pathology. The charity's scholarship scheme aims to improve equine welfare and performance through specialist training of clinical experts.
Lucy is following the three-year veterinary pathology training programme at the Royal Veterinary College in North Mymms, Hertfordshire and the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, Suffolk. She spends her time at these locations examining biopsies and post mortems from a variety of species including horses, cats, dogs, rabbits and birds. She is also undertaking a small research project in equine reproduction.
"I am interested in all aspects of pathology, particularly of horses. I enjoy understanding the nitty- gritty of what's causing a disease," said Lucy. "My research project aims to understand one mechanism by which the mare's immune system might be down-regulated during pregnancy, and if this relates to certain diseases. Reproductive loss can be devastating, particularly in the thoroughbred industry, so this is an important topic," said Lucy.
Hertfordshire resident Lucy said she was grateful that The Horse Trust has funded her training and hopes to pursue a career in veterinary pathology.
"The Horse Trust's funding of my scholarship has been invaluable. I wouldn't have been able to continue my training in veterinary pathology without their help," said Lucy. "When I finish the training programme, I would like to work at a university where I could carry out both research and diagnostic work, as well as some teaching. There aren't many jobs for people to specialise solely in equine pathology, but I would like to maintain a focus on equine diseases."
Lucy is keen for an equine focus in a career due to her personal interest in horses.
"I used to ride when I was at school and would love to ride again, but I don't have a horse here," said Lucy. "I also really enjoyed working with horses in veterinary practice in Australia."
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 in 2009 for scientific research projects and clinical facility and equipment awards this year. This would be for projects commencing in 2010.
* Lucy Woolford PhD BSc BVMS (Hons) MRCVS. Lucy graduated from Murdoch University, Western Australia in 2002 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS), following which she worked in mixed clinical practice in South Australia for two years. Between 2005-2007 she returned to Murdoch University and completed a PhD investigating a debilitating papillomatosis and carcinomatosis syndrome in an endangered Australian marsupial, the Western barred bandicoot (Perameles bougainville).
In April of 2008, she started a Senior Clinical Training Scholarship in Anatomic Pathology funded by The Horse Trust, and her training is based both at the Royal Veterinary College and at the Animal Health Trust.
*Achieving membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists is equivalent to a certificate from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Post this story to: 
