Young students had guts on Dissection Day

Gareth Evans, Sollia Wellon, Emma Bardsley, Beth Billington, Paige Carrington, Laura Conroy, Lana Standley Front Row: Alix Richardson, Jasmine Ross

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Animal Management students from Hopwood Hall College attended a ‘Guts Dissection Day’ held at the University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science recently.

The focus of the day was relating digestive structure to function. The students completed an analysis and dissection of the digestive systems of horses, pigs, sheep and dogs. They also studied the skulls of each animal to compare dentistry in relation to digestion. The students completed a workbook to record their findings and test their understanding.

Their tutor Sarah Whitehurst said. “The students were an absolute credit to the Animal Management department; they were totally engaged and participated fully in the interactive lecture part of the day.

They really shone in the practical dissection; they were enthralled by having actual animal samples in front of them; they were not squeamish at all about digging about in a horse’s stomach and moving its spleen out of the way so they could get a better look at its intestines. They were so excited and interested that they noticed that each pair of digestive systems seemed different and this was because they had a male and female sample for each species, because of this they got an additional lecture on functional anatomy of the reproductive system as well.

In the afternoon our students had to be virtually dragged out of the dissection room as they were still working and learning and making the most of this unique opportunity.

Getting used to the smell of a dissection room, let alone the smell of animal digestive system samples is a skill in itself and despite three hours in the room on a very hot day, not one student moaned once.

It is also quite emotionally challenging being faced with a complete body system of an animal and accepting that a couple of days ago this animal was alive. The students coped extremely well and behaved respectfully and professionally throughout the entire task and the university staff were extremely impressed with them.

The event was a long and hard day with degree level functional and applied anatomy, digestion, biochemistry and nutrition being learnt and then practical dissections of real animals in the afternoon that was not just a test of academic ability but the emotional strength of the students.

Their enthusiasm did not waiver all day and they were even completing their work books in the minibus on the way home. I was extremely proud to be their tutor and I think I enjoyed myself just as much as they did.