Working with Dogs Trust

25 February 2020

Emily Rutherford, Extended Degree Animal Behaviour and Welfare student, has secured a position at Dogs Trust working with companion animals alongside her studies. Although only in the early years of her studies at Harper Adams, she is using the opportunity to put her learning to the test while picking up other valuable skills by helping dogs in need of training and care.

Emily spoke about her work with Dogs Trust saying: “I help to train a variety of puppies and adolescent dogs over a five week training plan. Over this time I build a relationship with both the dog and the owner and it’s really rewarding to see how much change occurs in just a few short weeks.

“I’d really recommend this experience to other students. It has been enriching work and great to put my degree knowledge into action. In the future I am hoping to use this experience to work with support dogs for either the deaf or the blind, but would love to continue at Dogs Trust if the opportunity came about.”

Emily does not come from a background in farming but had some prior work experience. She commented: “Previously I have only worked on a small petting farm. From here, this is where I found out how fulfilling working alongside different animals could be and became very interested in why and how they behaved.”

In wanting to pursue this interest further, Emily found her course at Harper Adams. Animal behaviour and welfare studies gives access to the smallest mouse to horses and heifers. Giving her the opportunity to study animal management, biology and care, Emily could see how her practical experience at the petting farm and now at Dogs Trust can be linked to her theoretical knowledge.

Of her studies, Emily said: “Coming to Harper gave me the perfect chance to find a course doing something a bit different to my peers but it was definitely the right thing for me. Harper has given me opportunities that aren’t available elsewhere.”

Should you be interested in finding out what a degree that matters could offer you, join us on our open day, March 21, where you can experience life at Harper Adams for yourself. Find out more below.