Pictured at the signing of the memorandum of understanding between AIT and the ISPCA: 
(seated) Prof Ciarán Ó Catháin, AIT; Barbara Bent, ISPCA;
(standing) Chris McCormack, AIT; Dr Paul Tomkins, AIT; Dorothy Walker, ISPCA.

The collaboration agreement between Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) will lead to:

• Enhanced collaboration between the two bodies;
• Establishment of internships for students;
• Development of a student volunteer programme including fundraising and project management activities;
• Sharing of expertise and resources including mutually beneficial research and efforts to enhance the delivery of quality animal care;
• Joint development of new courses and initiatives.

Special provision is made in the agreement for the institute’s veterinary nursing students, who will be able to assist on vet day at the ISPCA's National Animal Centre in Keenagh, Co Longford, and prepare veterinary records.

Prof Ciarán Ó Catháin, President of Athlone IT, welcomed the agreement.  He said it would help ensure that "students, researchers and faculty were exposed to best practice in terms of animal care and welfare”.

“The placement opportunities will also enhance the educational experience of our veterinary nursing students, as well as those learners whose work intersects with the care of animals," Prof Ó Catháin added.

Barbara Bent, CEO of the ISPCA, said the collaboration “should be extremely beneficial to both parties, enabling the students to have some practical hands-on experience at our National Animal Centre and ISPCA to develop a more educational orientated facility ongoing".