A pair of life-sized horse simulators named Bubbles and Biscuit are revolutionizing how veterinary students at the University of Saskatchewan learn to assist with foaling. The simulators were gifted to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine by Dr. June Donaldson, allowing students to safely practice high-risk scenarios that would be difficult to observe in real life.
The simulators, crafted by Veterinary Simulator Industries, are the first of their kind at USask and are specifically designed to simulate the birth of a foal. Students can manipulate the foal model inside the mare to learn how to resolve difficult births and ensure safe outcomes for both animals. The simulators provide students with hands-on learning opportunities that are rare in real-life situations.
Dr. Donaldson’s donation was inspired by her love of horses and a tour of the BJ Hughes Centre for Clinical Learning at WCVM. The simulators not only serve as high-tech teaching tools but also represent a major step forward in experiential learning for future veterinarians. As simulation becomes a cornerstone of veterinary education, WCVM’s growing “herd” of models is helping shape a new generation of veterinarians ready to face real-life emergencies.
