My Farming Week – Lauren Mc Garrigle
My name is Lauren McGarrigle and I live in the townland of Carricknahorna, near Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal. I am a daughter of Patrick and Kathleen McGarrigle, who would be well known in the rural community. As I have grown up on a farm I have a keen interest in animals. I am currently doing a one year course of veterinary assisting in Magh Ène College, Bundoran, with some work experience in the Seaview Veterinary Practice under the watchful eye of veterinary surgeon Ulrike Vaughan.
Since growing up on my father’s farm I have a love of animals, especially cattle, and in particular the Aubrac. This is a breed from France which was introduced to the farm in 2002 when my father purchased a stock bull ‘‘Rick O’Shea’’ and then proceeded to purchase 6 in-calf heifers in 2005 from pedigree French herds after a trip to France. In 2007 a second Aubrac bull was purchased “Abbot”. I particularly like these animals as they are small but hardy, very docile and easy to handle.
“Rick O Shea” purchased in 2002
“Rambellie” one of the in calf heifers bought from France in 2005
As children our dad let us choose a heifer of our own and all three of us (Nathan, Caitlin and I) are responsible for our own animals. We all love helping out on the farm and are well used to how Dad likes things done. October to January is usually the most exciting time when most of the calving is done, I love it as you get to work closely with the animals as they are indoors.
As I am doing this course of veterinary assisting I hope to further my career in an area linked with animals and preferably larger animals.
The course consists of 8 modules.
- Animal Anatomy and Physiology
- Animal Grooming
- Animal Welfare
- Veterinary assisting skills.
- Biology
- Communications
- Business Administrations
- Work Experience
The occupations that are related to the area of study for this course are:
- Agricultural adviser
- Dairy industry scientist
- Farm manager
- Farmer – dry stock
- Farrier
- Jockey
- Riding instructor
- Stable hand/groom
- Veterinary assistant
- Veterinary nurse
- Veterinary surgeon
- Farmer – dairy
My aim over the next year is to go on to Letterkenny Institute of Technology to do a 3 year course in Veterinary Nursing or Cavan to do a 2 year course in Animal Management.
This course has provided a great opportunity to work hands-on at such things as animal grooming. It has also entailed visiting many farms and becoming aquainted with various farming methods, while also becoming familiar with the anatomy and physiology of many farm animals. I am fascinated by how an animal’s body works.
We have been on many field trips and there are still plenty to go.
For example:
– Horse grooming at Donegal Equestrian centre
– Dog grooming at Dog spa Ballyshannon andConnachtgold grooming roomSligo
– Sheep dissection at Eagles Flying Sligo
– Heart dissection in class
Horse Grooming at the Donegal Equestrian Centre
This course also gave me a great opportunity to do 3 months work experience in Seaview Veterinary Clinic from October to December 2012, under the guidance of Veterinary surgeon Ulrike Vaughan, where I got to experience first hand how a veterinary practice is run and work one on one with animals small and large. It has been a very worth while experience being given the chance to work with trained professionals and I would gladly go back. I would recommend this course to anyone thinking of pursuing a career dealing with animals.
