Dundalk IT team up with with Veterinary Specialists Ireland

Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) have announced that they recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Veterinary Specialists Ireland.

The signing is part of DkIT’s Corporate Partnership Programme, and they say that this MOU sets out a mutually beneficial relationship between DkIT and Veterinary Specialists Ireland.

Veterinary Specialists Ireland was founded by Laura Cuddy and Turlough Mc Nally in 2019 to provide exemplary advanced specialist care to small animals on the island of Ireland.

This business has their own private specialty small animal hospital in Summerhill, Co. Meath which is a state-of-the-art 8,000 sq. ft facility.

Recent addition of emergency, critical care and internal medicine services means they are the only small animal clinic in Ireland that can cater for any type of acute or chronic injury or illness, under the direction of a Specialist which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days of the week and 365 days of the year.

Its internationally renowned staff participate in residency training, research programmes and continued professional development workshops for referring veterinary professionals. Veterinary Specialists Ireland’s ultimate goal is to advance high quality and compassionate health care for pets in Ireland.

President of DkIT, Dr Diarmuid O’Callaghan said:

“We are absolutely delighted to sign this MOU with Veterinary Specialists Ireland. DkIT has placed service to the regional economy and community at the core of its mission since its foundation.  Engagement with progressive and pioneering organisations such as Veterinary Specialists Ireland is a central part of DkIT’s Strategy”.

Laura Cuddy and Turlough Mc Nally founders of Veterinary Specialist added:

“We are pleased to collaborate with DkIT, we place engagement with education, research and innovation at the core of our strategy and see a key role for its support for the strategic development of the organisation in Ireland”.

The areas for exploration within this MOU include exploring the engagement opportunities with the DkIT Careers and Employability Centre including engagement with student work placements along with having a presence at the DkIT Annual Careers Fair and bespoke Employability Events.

The MOU will also investigate the development of a DkIT- Veterinary Specialists Ireland Graduate Programme and support future skills development with a view to leveraging the expertise at Veterinary Specialists Ireland to support course and curriculum development at DkIT.

Furthermore, the MOU will consider the potential for Scholarship opportunities for students in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Animal Health School of Health and Science. The MOU will also allow for guest lecturing opportunities for staff of Veterinary Specialists Ireland at DkIT. 

Dr Siobhán N. Jordan, Head of Department of Agriculture, Food and Animal Health, DkIT said:

“I’m delighted to cement this 3-year partnership with Veterinary Specialists Ireland, and I know it will be extremely beneficial to DkIT’s Veterinary Nurse Students and graduates. We continuously strive to engage with innovative and specialist industries to ensure our students are exposed to highly advanced animal care knowledge and practices and this partnership will further strengthen our current animal health educational programmes”.