Lush Prize awarded to School of Veterinary Science for innovative training technique

The Lush Prize is a global award that supports animal-free initiatives by rewarding projects across science, education and campaigning that work to end or replace animal use. Founded in 2012, the biennial award is a collaboration between Lush Cosmetics and the Ethical Consumer Research Association, with a total prize fund of £250,000.

Fifty-five projects from around the world were shortlisted across seven categories, with Massey’s entry the only from Aotearoa New Zealand.

The award-winning entry was submitted by Emma Gordon, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Simulation-based Education and Associate Professor in Veterinary Science Nicola Smith, around the work of the veterinary clinical skills teaching laboratory, using the specific example of the replacement of terminal surgical practical classes with model-based skill instruction.

Emma Gordon and Associate Professor Smith say the award reflects the input from the many staff members involved in clinical skills projects.

Massey is continually changing its teaching practices on a journey of improvement. The School of Veterinary Science is committed to the concept of the 3Rs in veterinary practice - replacement, reduction, and refinement - to improve animal welfare. This means we replace and reduce live animals where possible, refine study design, handling, and housing of animals to improve life experiences.

Head of the School of Veterinary Science Professor Jon Huxley congratulated those involved, and the wider School for efforts in this area.

“I would like to extend my congratulations and appreciation to everyone involved. Whilst I appreciate making any changes to the curriculum and the way we operate can be hugely challenging to implement, we should all be very proud of the international recognition we are achieving as a school, be it an award such as this or in the latest QS Subject Rankings.”

The School will receive a cash prize of approximately $52,000 for the award and will use this to contribute to the development and purchase of more models that enhance veterinary student learning.

As part of the replacement work, a number of low fidelity models were created at Massey University and involve models to train procedures such as spaying a dog, closing the abdominal wall after abdominal surgery, and draining fluid from the chest of a cat. Where there was requirement for more technical models (high fidelity), the School of Veterinary Science developed an innovative relationship with a Tauranga-based engineering and design company and have worked with them to create additional models.

None of these models were available previously but have since been commercialised by the engineering company and offered for purchase to other training institutions internationally. Templates for home-made models created at Massey University are freely shared with veterinary schools around the world.