During my year-long study of an Animal Care course, I have attended seminars, reviewed case studies and conducted research projects from animal welfare to anatomy, physiology, and behaviour. Most notably, I devised care plans for a rescued mongrel and an adopted Persian cat according to the “Five Needs” and Nurse Care Plan rubric, which ensures evidence-based, holistic quality care by animal carers. I have also learnt to use the “Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle” to reflect on my field trips and practical experiences, which helped develop my selfdirected learning skills. When I shadowed a vet nurse at a local animal hospital for two weeks, I witnessed the challenging yet meaningful work of a vet, and put into practice my knowledge from animal care lessons. For instance, I understood directional terminologies to take X-rays, prepared blood smears for haematology and serum biochemistry, and set up cages for hospitalisation. When checking vitals in a stenotic nares resection surgery of a 1-year-old neutered pug, I also identified heart murmurs taught in a clinical lessons about canine cardiac defects. Throughout this Animal Care course, my knowledge in veterinary science and animal welfare science was immensely deepened, and my dedication in studying veterinary medicine and becoming a veterinarian has without doubts grown.

In this ApL course, I have gained so much. Not only the knowledge of how to take care of different kinds of animals are taught but also strengthen my empathy and morality. I have been contacting different animals including those I have met in Ocean Park and KFBG, etc. Animals are ‘voice less’. We are not able to know their feelings through words. The only way is to observe and imagine their feelings from their perspective. And find ways to provide them with the bet living environment and minimize their suffering. This improved my ability to sense people’s or animal’s emotions and conditions; to empathize their situation.