SYDNEY SCHOOL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE

2024 COMMITMENT STATEMENT

Category  International Applicant (Off-shore and Taylor’s College Applicants)

(please tick one)  International Applicant (applying through UAC)
 Internal Course Transfer (Current University of Sydney Student)
 Domestic Recent School Leaver
 Domestic Non-Recent School Leaver
UAC Ref #/Student ID
Name
Address

Telephone
Email

The purpose of the Commitment Statement is to find out about your interest in, and commitment to animal health
and welfare and a career in veterinary practice. You may be able to provide evidence of this through your family
background, work (including school work experience, part-time jobs and voluntary work) and special interests.

Submission of a Commitment Statement by the due date is a strict requirement for the purpose of meeting eligibility
criteria for both local and international applicants to the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine for 2024 intake. Commitment Statements submitted after the due date will not be considered.

Commitment Statement submission

Domestic applicants Upload the completed forms and documentation to the UAC portal by the
along with International Applicants 5th December 2023
sitting the NSW HSC and applying
through UAC

International applicants Off-shore and Taylor’s College international applicants should upload their
completed “Commitment to Veterinary Science” form as part of the online
application process by the 5th December 2023 at the latest.
Internal Transfer Applicants Email their completed commitment statement to
[email protected] (Domestic applicants) or
[email protected] (International Applicants) by
the 5th of December 2023 at the latest.

NOTE: Only applications with completed commitment statements will be assessed. It is the responsibility of the
applicant to ensure all supporting documentation is attached. Applications submitted without supporting
documentation will not be processed. Please do not send original documents, only certified copies.

1. Veterinary/Animal Handling/Animal Welfare Experience

List below the names and addresses of veterinary or other related establishments (practices/laboratories/wildlife/
care facilities etc) where you have obtained experience of an animal related nature (attach supporting
documentation). Applicants are expected to have undertaken a minimum of 5 full days of work experience at
veterinary establishments. Work experience must include animal handling, i.e. direct hands-on contact with animals
(not just observation). If you have less than 5 days, please complete the Additional Information section on page 3.

Establishment Type(s) of experience (including animal Number of

(including contact name, address and telephone number species) days worked
of a contactable suitable staff member)
 2. Animal Handling Experience Checklist
Using the skills checklist below, please indicate the animal related skills you have observed and/or performed by
placing a cross (X) in the relevant ‘observed’ or ‘performed’ box. Please note, if you have indicated experience in
the table below, it must be validated by relevant experience in the Veterinary/Animal Handling/Animal Welfare
Experience list above.

Observed: Means you have witnessed the procedure

Completed: Means you have performed the procedure with or without supervision

HORSES
Activity Observed Completed Activity Observed Completed
Assess normal condition and Prepare a horse for transport;
behaviour leg, tail bandages
Haltering Saddle a horse
Leading Loading of horse into transport
Tying up Restraint of horse with a twitch
Grooming Pick-up forelimb
Rugging Pick-up hindlimb
Bridling Clean out hooves
CATTLE
Activity Observed Completed Activity Observed Completed
Mustering Vaccination
Drafting Drench
Use of cattle crush De-horn/disbud calves
Restraint using ropes and nose Hand milk; strip milk sample for
pliers mastitis test
Trim feet Machine milking
Calf castration Rectal examination
SHEEP
Activity Observed Completed Activity Observed Completed
Mustering Feet bath
Drafting Lamb castration
Catch and tip up sheep Lamb tail dock
Restrain sheep in sitting position Sheep dagging and simple
flystrike treatment
Restrain sheep in standing Crutch
position
Restrain in handling cradle or Shear
race
Condition score of sheep Vaccinate
Earmark Drench
Eartag Jet
Feet trim Dip
PIG
Activity Observed Completed Activity Observed Completed
Moving pigs between pens and Injecting piglets and older pigs
for transport Tail docking
Restraint of older pigs Clipping of eye teeth
Catch and holding piglets Ear marking/tattooing
POULTRY
Activity Observed Completed Activity Observed Completed
Catch a bird in a pen Restrain a bird for physical
Remove a bird from a cage examination
CATS
Activity Observed Completed Activity Observed Completed
Lift a cat Trim claws
Restrain a cat for an injection Restrain a cat for a physical
examination
Take rectal temperature Determine the sex of a cat
Dose a cat with a tablet Restrain a cat on its side
DOGS
Activity Observed Completed Activity Observed Completed
Fit a flat collar Restrain a dog for an injection
Fit a muzzle Take rectal temperature
Lift a small dog (<15 kg) Trim claws
Lift a large dog (>15 kg) with Restrain a dog for physical
assistance examination
Dose a dog with a tablet Express anal sacs

Sydney School of Veterinary Science Commitment Statement 2024 Page 2

 3. Additional Information
If you have less than 5 full days of animal handling experience listed in the Veterinary/Animal Handling/Animal
Welfare Experience section on page 1, please use this space to:
• Explain why you may have lacked the opportunity to handle animals, AND
• Describe any animal handling experience you have from taking care of your own pets. You should describe
any involvement in the intensive care of unwell pets over a sustained period of time (rather than routine
day-to-day maintenance of feeding, walking and grooming).
Please do not exceed 200 words.

Reflective Statement
Select one of the procedures listed in the Animal Handling Experience Checklist on page 2 that you have completed
(not just observed).
• State the procedure.
• Reflect on any discomfort the procedure may have caused to the animal.
• Reflect on the benefits of the procedure to the health and welfare of the animal.
Please do not exceed 200 words.

Procedure:

Reflection:

4. Altus Suite Casper Test

All applicants are required to complete Altus Suite – Casper test only. More information on the test and to book a test, please
visit www.takealtus.com.

DD/MM/YYYY
 I confirm that I have completed/am registered to take the Altus Suite Casper test on ____________________
NB: Please be advised that you need to register for the Altus Suite Casper test THREE days prior to the test.

I certify that all the above details are complete and correct. I am aware, should my application be successful, that my current
self-assessment of handling skills may be subject to close scrutiny.

Signed:
Date:

Sydney School of Veterinary Science Commitment Statement 2024 Page 3