Faculty of Science
School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Self-Assessment Checklist
for Application for Admission to the Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine Program
Applicant Name:
Date of Birth:
Please outline your experience in handling animals by completing this Self-Assessment
Checklist. There are two components to the Self-assessment checklist.
Section 1: Work Experience
Indicate where you have gained your experience by completing the Section 1. Experience
should be obtained at a commercial level facility and the requirements for each species.
Species
Sheep
Beef Cattle
Dairy Cattle
Horses
Dogs and cats
Intensive Production Animals:
 Pigs
 Poultry
 Aquaculture
 Laboratory Animals
 Camelids
 Zoo Animal (Native / Exotic)
Minimum Time Required
10 working days
10 working days
10 working days
10 working days
Experience desirable
10 working days (any combination of species)
Experience desirable
Section 2: Experience Level
Indicate the type of experience you have for each species listed. Please indicate the level or
your involvement (i.e. knowledge of; observed, performed or proficient).
Upon completion, please submit this form to animalvetsci@adelaide.edu.au by 30 September
Closing date for applications for entry to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program is 30
September.
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SECTION 1: Work Experience
SHEEP
BEEF CATTLE
DAIRY CATTLE
HORSES
DOGS & CATS
PIGS
POULTRY
AQUACULTURE
Name of Facility
State / Country
Length of time
spent at Facility
Approx number
of animals held
at Facility
The duties you
performed at
the Facility
Your
involvement at
the Facility (e.g.
observational,
assisting under
supervision,
unsupervised)
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ADDITIONAL TABLE SUPPLIED (IF ADDITIONAL SPACE IS NEEDED)
LABORATORY
ANIMALS
CAMELIDS
ZOO
ANIMALS
[insert
species]
[insert
species]
[insert
species]
[insert
species]
[insert
species]
[insert
species]
Name of Facility
State / Country
Length of time
spent at Facility
Approx number
of animals held
at Facility
The duties you
performed at
the Facility
Your
involvement at
the Facility (e.g.
observational,
assisting under
supervision,
unsupervised)
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Section 2: Experience Level
Indicate type of experience in each species
SHEEP
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
1 2 3 4
Essential
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
1 2 3 4
Essential
Identification of common breeds
Identification of rare breeds
Estimate live weight in kg
Mustering
Droving
Drafting
Approach sheep in pen/paddocks
Catch and tip sheep
Restrain sheep in sitting position
Restrain sheep in standing position
Restraint in cradle/race
identify sex
location of injection sites
Desirable
Branding
Lamb castration - surgical
Lamb castration - elastrator
Lamb tail dock
Mules
Crutch
Wig
Shear
Pick up shorn fleece and toss onto wool
table
Skirt and roll fleece
Open and examine fleece on animal
Class shorn fleece
Body condition score
Foot trim
Foot bath
Asses age of sheep (dentition)
Identify common conformational faults,
e.g. overshot jaw, swayback
Sheep dagging and flystrike treatment
Earmark
Ear tag
quick release knot tying
Vaccinate
Drench
Dip
Pour-on application
Trim ram horns
Observe lambing/provide basic obstetrical
assistance
operate sheep handler effectively
CATTLE
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
1 2 3 4
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
Essential
Essential
Identification of common breeds
Leg restraint with ropes
Identify common conformational faults
e.g. scissor claws, udder faults
Identification - ear tag
Identification – other e.g. branding,
tattooing
location of injection sites
open mouth
grasp tongue
apply drinkwater gag
Identification of rare breeds
Estimate live weight in kg
Mustering
Droving
Drafting
Approach cattle in pen/paddocks
Operate cattle crush
Restraint using ropes/halter
Feed hay and concentrates in
paddock/bail
Hand milk; strip milk sample for mastitis
test
Body condition score cattle
age determination based on dentition
identify sex
Head restraint using halter
Head restraint using nose grips
Whole body animal restraint with ropes
1 2 3 4
Desirable
Castration - surgical
Castration - elastrator
Feed examination and trim
Vaccinate
Drench – oral/intraruminal
Dehorn/disbudding
Observe calving
Oestrus detection
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HORSES
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
1 2 3 4
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
Essential
Essential
Identification of common breeds
Identification of rare breeds
Estimate live weight in kg and height
(hands)
Assess normal condition and behaviour
place a halter on a horse safely and
correctly
Tying Up
Approach horse safely in paddock or
stable
Grooming
Washing
Rugging
Bridling
Saddling
Prepare horse for transport, e.g. leg, tail
bandage
Restraint of horse with twitch
age estimate based on dentition
lead a horse at a walk, trot
place a horse in an equine crush
apply a nose twitch safely and correctly
apply a skin twitch safely and correctly
Feed horse in stable
1 2 3 4
Muck out and bed stable
Restraint of foal
Identification
Pick up the front and hind feet of a horse
Foot examination and cleaning
location of injection sites
Desirable
Remove shoes
Nail on shoes
Trim feet
Bandage fetlock/knee
Use of mouth gag
Foaling
Identification documents
Freeze branding
DOGS AND CATS
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
1 2 3 4
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
Essential
Essential
Identification of common breeds
Knowledge of correct terminology
regarding colours, e.g. seal point
Estimate weight in kg
General restraint
Restraint for procedures e.g. blood
sampling
Identify sex
Assessment of behaviour
Identify common injection sites
Assessment of body condition score
Restraint for examination
Assessment of pain score
1 2 3 4
Knowledge of how to clip nails
Locate anal glands
Daily routine, e.g. feed/exercise
Desirable
Clinical examination
Administration of substances by oral route
Administration of substances by topical
routes, e.g. ear/eye
Measurement of temperature, pulse and
respiration
Microchip implantation and reading
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LABORATORY ANIMALS
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
1 2 3 4
Desirable
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
1 2 3 4
Desirable
Identification of species
General restraint
Restraint for procedures e.g. blood
sampling
Daily routine, e.g. feed/check
Hygiene procedures (cage cleaning etc)
Identification of sex
Estimate weight in kg
Microchip implantation and reading
PIGS
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
1 2 3 4
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
Essential
Essential
Identification of common breeds
Identification of rare breeds
Estimate live weight and carcass weight
in kg
Moving pigs with boards
Use of a snare
Determine back fat thickness
Restraint for bleeding
Body condition score
Approach pig in pen/paddock
Environment/housing assessment
Identify different production groups
i. piglets
ii. weaners
iii. growers
iv. finishers
identify sex
Branding
Castration
Tail Docking
Treatment for external parasites
Clipping of eye teeth
Mating Supervision
Farrowing supervision
Pregnancy diagnosis
1 2 3 4
Catch and hold piglets
Ear Marking/tattooing
Cleaning, disinfection, fumigation
Desirable
POULTRY
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
1 2 3 4
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
Essential
Essential
Distinguish between broiler and layers
Identification of rare breeds
Distinguish between laying hens and
cockerels
Catch a bird in pen
Remove a bird from a cage
Clinical examination
Wingband chickens
Restraint
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
1 2 3 4
Measure respiration rate of hen
Handle and store eggs for market
Candling of eggs
Recognition of feather pecking and
cannibalism
Assess environment, e.g. stocking density,
ventilation, litter quality
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AQUACULTURE
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
1 2 3 4
Essential
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
1 2 3 4
Essential
Keep and interpret general/monitoring
records
Perform and interpret results from water
tests
Recognise commonly farmed species
Detect abnormal behaviour in
individuals/groups
Understand management to prevent
disease
Measure respiratory rate and interpret
changes
Examine eyes for abnormalities
Examine skin/shell/fins for parasites
Examine external structure for
abnormalities
Individual identification - tag
Individual identification – clip fin
Handle individuals
Restraint – chemical in water
Restraint - chemical out of water
Use net for capture
Estimate weight of individuals (for sale)
Therapeutic Procedures
Treat wounds
Carry out parasitic treatment
Perform euthanasia by pithing
Perform euthanasia by
stunning/decapitation
Carry out a simple necropsy
Individual identification – mark with dye
CAMELIDS
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
Handling of Animals
1 2 3 4
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
General Herd and Property
Maintenance
Round up a mob of camelids
Catch an camelid in a confined area
Restraint without a halter
Put a halter onto an already trained
camelid and tie it up safely
Kush tying
Loading onto a trailer
*Behaviour of camelids
*Responses to isolation
*Understand quarantine of new arrivals
Cleaning of paddocks, yards and transport
*Understanding of Q-Alpaca program
General Check of Animals
Mix feeds and feed out
*Nutritional Needs
*Cover protocol used by property
Check ears, eyes, jaw and teeth
Check conformation
Check body condition
Check feet and trim toenails
Take temperature and check pulse
Shearing
Shearing protocols and frequency
Restraint for shearing
Fibre
*Basic knowledge of camelid fibre,
including types of fleece, and micron
testing
Record Keeping for a Stud Herd
Record keeping for a stud herd
1 2 3 4
Injections
Administer subcutaneous injections
Administer intra-muscular injections
Other forms of medication
Feeding
Breeding
Management of a mob of breeding
females
Checking of females
Handling stud males
Spit offs
Supervise matings
*Reproductive cycle
Managing parturition
Check and weigh newborn cria
Care of the newborn
Visiting vets
Assisting visiting vets
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ZOO ANIMALS (Native / Exotic)
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
Desirable
remove bird from an enclosed space
safely and effectively
restrain bird for clinical exam of head,
body and wings
remove reptile from an enclosed space
safely and effectively
1 2 3 4
1 = Knowledge of
3 = Performed
2 = Observed
4 = Proficient
1 2 3 4
Desirable
restrain reptile for clinical examination
describe how to remove a native mammal
from an enclosed space
describe how to restrain a native mammal
for clinical examination
location of injection sites
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