Living the dream: Future Vet Kids Camp nurtures the next generation

The dog isn’t breathing. His vet, appropriately named Florence, forces her fingers into his mouth to clear any obstructions from the airway. 

“You’ve got to do your ABCs – airways, breathing, circulation,” she says calmly. The dog’s chest is still. Florence checks for a pulse. There is none. 

“Normally, I’d have to put my mouth on the dog’s nose, give him two breaths and pump his chest like this until he comes back.” 

But this isn’t a normal situation, and the dog isn’t coming back. He’s a rubber training dummy, and Florence is a student at this year’s Future Vet Kids Camp in Sydney, despite her level of expertise. 

“If the pulse stops again, you’ve got to go back to doing CPR,” she says as she gravely eyes the motionless dog. “I don’t think he’s going to make it.” 

New generation

Designed by the Bondi Vet twin veterinarians Drs Audrey and Alison Shen and sponsored by PetSure, the summer camp offers hands-on veterinary experience, learning and fun for kids aged 9-16. Such is the popularity of Future Vet Kids Camp that it’s now held in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Singapore. 

“The main aim of the camp is to inspire animal-crazy kids, whether they want to be a vet or have a profession that’s at all to do with the animal industry,” says Dr Audrey. 

“We’ve got our veterinary program, which introduces the students to what we do as a job every day, but we also have a list of exciting guest presenters, from behaviourists to marine biologists.” 

Florence has travelled from NSW’s rural Hawkesbury region to Waverley College in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs to attend the five-day program.  

“I’ve always wanted to be a vet. I love being around animals, and I have three dogs at home. Someone recommended the Future Vet Kids Camp to my mum, and when she told me I said I’d love to do it.” 

Other students have come from even further away. Willow, from Victor Harbor in South Australia, says living by the bush has made her want to work with native wildlife.  

“So wombats, kangaroos and koalas,” she says. “And here I’ve learned just how many different things you can do in this field. It’s not just working with dogs and cats.” 

Team effort

Students are divided into three groups – Wombats (ages 9-11), Kookaburras (ages 12-14) and the Junior Vet program (ages 14-16) – with activities tailored to their age. Live demonstrations, wildlife sanctuary excursions and immersive experiences inspire the young campers to pursue a love of animals and their wellbeing.  

“With the challenges of a veterinary shortage and high dropout rates in vet school, early exposure like this can make all the difference in helping kids understand the realities of the profession,” says Dr Alison. 

“We designed it to be the kind of camp we would have loved when we were growing up,” says Dr Audrey. 

Plastic hearts, skeletons, fake blood bags and jars filled with all sorts of specimens adorn the camp rooms, all in aid of developing the knowledge of the young attendees. 

“One skill I’ve learned is how to draw blood from animals,” says Aria, who demonstrates by inserting a needle into the disembodied arm of a dog and extracting a full chamber of plasma. 

“We’ve also learned lots about parasites and loads about animal behaviour.”  

Supporting the industry

A longtime champion of the veterinary industry, PetSure awards three scholarships to aspiring junior vets each year.  

“We’ve worked with PetSure for many years, and I think we all have a common goal of encouraging good pet safety and responsible animal ownership,” Dr Alison says. 

In 2026, Florence, Willow and Aria were lucky enough to attend thanks to PetSure’s support. 

“Travelling here would have been quite expensive because we’d have to do the flights, food and accommodation, so I applied for the scholarship and was so happy to get it,” Willow says. 

“It’s been really cool to learn from real vets,” Aria says. “I have a dog, and it’s always a battle to get him to take his tick medication, but I’ve learned some new skills to keep him calm when giving him meds or trimming his nails.” 

Dr Audrey says PetSure’s scholarships make a big difference to their recipients. 

“These kids have the biggest hearts and the biggest compassion. It’s very hard to find like-minded kids, and it can be quite a lonely world when you love animals more than humans. What Future Vet Kids Camp does is open doors and builds those connections,” she says. 

“A lot of students that were sponsored in the past have come back time and time again, and even ended up going into the animal profession, so that’s incredibly rewarding.” 

An important first step

This year’s trio agrees Future Vet Kids Camp is an excellent primer for a career as a vet. 

“Being here has made me want to look a lot more into further education as a vet and volunteer at wildlife sanctuaries around where I live,” Willow says.  

“Also, I want to come back to this camp and join the next group up. They’ve done some really cool stuff like surgery and blood tests, so I feel I’d get a deeper understanding on how to help animals.” 

“I’m really hoping to be a marine biologist, so first I’ll go to university, and obviously finish high school,” Aria says.  

“I’d love to come back and learn even more, but until then I’ll ask lots of questions when we have to visit our local vet,” Florence says. 

Dr Alison says it’s a great taste of a rewarding career, regardless of what follows.  

“Whether or not they pursue a veterinary career, the opportunity to explore other animal professions, connect with animals, learn from professionals and make lifelong friends has an incredibly positive impact on their confidence and resilience. It’s definitely an opportunity they shouldn’t miss.” 

Registrations for the 2027 Sydney Future Vet Kids Camp are open now. Places are limited. For more info visit the Future Vet Kids Camp website.

FAQs

What is Future Vet Kids Camp?

Future Vet Kids Camp is a hands-on program for kids aged 9-16 who love animals, created by Bondi Vet twins Drs Audrey and Alison Shen. It offers veterinary demonstrations, wildlife excursions and guest presenters to inspire future careers in the pet healthcare industry.

Who can attend Future Vet Kids Camp?

Kids aged 9 to 16 can attend, split into three groups: Wombats (9-11), Kookaburras (12-14) and Junior Vet (14-16). Activities are tailored to each age group’s interests and skill level in veterinary science.

Where is Future Vet Kids Camp held?

Future Vet Kids Camp runs in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Singapore due to strong demand. Each location offers the same hands-on veterinary learning experience for animal-loving kids.

How do I apply for a PetSure scholarship?

PetSure offers three scholarships each year to help aspiring junior vets attend the camp, covering costs like travel and accommodation. Interested families can find application details through the Future Vet Kids Camp website.

What skills do kids learn at vet camp?

Campers learn practical veterinary skills such as drawing blood, performing CPR on training dummies, animal behaviour basics and safe handling techniques. These experiences give kids real insight into daily veterinary work and animal care.

Why is early exposure important for future vets?

Early exposure helps kids understand the realities of veterinary work, which can reduce dropout rates in vet school later on. Programs like this build confidence and clarify whether a veterinary career is the right fit.

How do I register for Future Vet Kids Camp 2027?

Registrations for the 2027 Sydney Future Vet Kids Camp are open now, with limited places available. Families can find more information and register via the Future Vet Kids Camp website.