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We humans have a tremendous responsibility for all kinds of animal, not only our companion and industrial animals. We are also responsible for the wild animals which are greatly affected by our economic activities and daily lives. In order to create further opportunities to think together about how best to answer these responsibilities, we announced an event to be held late next year - the eLive Love Animals International Conference on Animal Care in Kobef in December 2009. |
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 Ms. Noriko Sakiyama, Executive Animal Nurse at Oji Animal Hospital, spoke under the title eAnimal Nursing from Now Onf. She explained the current hard conditions for animal nurses and put forward her opinions as well as possible suggestions for solving the problems. She said that, in order for animal nurses to be truly indispensable, they need to obtain skills and techniques, and work hard to win trust. More than anything else the nurses themselves must be aware of all the issues. She outlined the division of roles between vets (doctors) and nurses in the animal hospital where she now works. |
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 Ms. Ryoko Tominaga, Chief Animal Nurse at Neo Vets VR Center, spoke about the roles of animal nurses. She introduced the contents of the nursesf work at the hospital she works for which handles a great number of serious cases. This is because the hospital is a secondary treatment facility and the patients are refered from other animal hospitals. She said; ethe work of nurses is quite varied, but first they must be able to carry out cleaning tasks properly.f She stressed the importance and the necessity of keeping the hospital clean. Communication is also a key nurse function, especially to win the trust of the families of patients and make them feel comfortable. She also pointed out the importance of the nurses themselves keeping an appropriate appearance. She explained by reference to her own experience and how carefully she works to feel the needs of the animals. She revealed the special efforts and thoughts of the nurses. |
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Mr. Takayama, General Manager of Customer Development for Nestle Purina PetCare, Special Sponsor for the symposium, was present and commented that his president was very interested in this symposiumfs topic ethe roles of veterinary techniciansf. He thanked the audience for their attendance. It has been decided that Nestle Purina PetCare will be sponsoring the international conference next year. |
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 This yearfs symposium was a good opportunity for the general public to learn about the work of animal technicians and nurses. For those already working as animal nurses it also provided a starting point to help solve some of the challenges surrounding their work. For those wishing to work in animal nursing, the symposium provided the chance to think more about it. Within the audience there were many students from specialist colleges. Today, pets are regarded as important family members so greater animal nursing specialization is required. It is a field which requires high communication skills, as well as various other skills. This symposium stressed the necessity to challenge the current issues and problems urgently. |
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| At the end of the symposium, Ms. Kayoko Tominaga, Knots chairperson, thanked everyone who had attended and especially those who had made the symposium possible. She concluded by saying that the key word of the symposium was eresponsibilityf. She said she believed that ga greater awareness of responsibility is how progress for the future begins.h The organizers look forward to seeing you all at Live Love Animals International Conference on Animal Care in KOBE in December 2009. š Live Love Animals International Conference on Animal Care in KOBE |
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The Symposium got underway following some opening words by Ms. Tominaga, Chairperson of NPO Knots. First some of the images from the entrance panel exhibition were screened in a slideshow. When the earthquake hit a great many people were in shock and suffering deeply, yet they still helped each other and rescued many animals. Nothing deterred their drive to save lives. The Hanshin-Awaji Great Earthquake showed us (and reminded us) how deeply, and how responsible, people feel about the lives of animals. 
The symposium theme, on this occasion - The Roles of Veterinary Technicians - is a major theme in the field of animal care.
In his speech, Dr. Kimihiro Tamai said, gveterinary treatment is based on the policy of the HAB (Human Animal bond). Animal nurses / technicians need to have specialist knowledge and skills but it is also important that they have good communication abilities as professionals. They are expected to communicate between veterinarians and clients and to act as spokespeople for the animals which are unable to speakh. He also introduced how certain measures have been able to turn animal nursing into a profession with official qualifications. Using an iceberg as a metaphor he explained that the work of professionals is only ever visible as the tip of an iceberg and that 90% is hidden under water. gReal professionalsh, he said, gmake an effort to show the underwater parth.
In the panel discussion, lead by Dr. Uemura, the panel members were asked several questions, and there were active discussions about how the work content for nurses seems to vary from place to place, and how work attitudes among nurses appear to differ depending on the vet. There was also an exchange of opinions on the similarities and differences of primary and secondary treatments. During the Q and A session, involving the audience, there were questions from a student studying to be an animal nurse and also from an animal nurse.