University Placement

Hello! My name is Leah and I’m a Veterinary student at the University of Liverpool.

I originally discovered the Barn through a frantic search for Summer work experience placements for my degree. With Covid causing disruption for so many, it was proving difficult to find placements that could accommodate students so when I received an email from the Barn, I just knew that I had struck gold and that it was meant to be! 

I was lucky enough to work alongside Glenn, Joanne, and their incredible team of volunteers for a week in July 2021 and it’s safe to say that I haven’t looked back since!

I’ve always considered myself an ‘animal person’ but I think I underestimated just how much I would learn and gain from this placement.

From the moment I walked through the door, I was made to feel like part of the family and, with this, came the welcomed opportunity to really get stuck in and feel useful. The team were so eager to show me the ropes and teach me everything, from their impressive feeding/medication regimes to the disinfecting of kennels and gentle, patient handling of our four-legged friends!

By the end of the week, not only had I fallen in love with every dog and cat in sight, but my eyes had been completely opened to the challenging yet rewarding world of animal rescue.

Since completing my first placement last Summer, it seems I have become impossible to get rid of! I have spent 2 more placement weeks with the Barn, both with the cat and dog teams and I love nothing more than spending my uni holidays regularly volunteering there.

One thing that really struck me about the Barn and something that I will continue to admire is just how much each and every animal is known, loved, and valued regardless of their little quirks and with their story and past in mind.

I hope that I can, one day, demonstrate the same passion, determination, and care in my future career that I have learnt from all those at the Barn and I am so thankful to work alongside such an amazing team.

*We accept Serc/University placements for students 18+. If you feel you would like to join our team, please PM us on Facebook or complete our online volunteer form*

Cuddles with Harper (now Ozzy) who was rescued from The Chinese meat trade.