Lobb: “I’ve chosen the right career for me”
Second-year veterinary student Ben Lobb. Photo: Robyn Thrasher.
Student: Ben Lobb, a second-year student at the WCVM.
Hometown: Woodlands, Man.
Mentors: Dr. Stephen Manning, associate professor and field service clinician at the WCVM; and Dr. Kate Robinson, a WCVM equine field service resident.
Summer research project: Effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment modality in horses diagnosed with caudal heel pain.
Q. Can you describe your study?
We’re trying to figure out if acupuncture would work to alleviate caudal heel pain in horses. Also, as a side project, I’m investigating hoof testers and the amount of force required to elicit a withdrawal response in non-lame horses.
Q. How is your study significant for horse owners and/or veterinarians?
This study could potentially provide another treatment option for caudal heel pain that doesn’t require drugs or other invasive procedures.
The hoof testing project will provide us with a force that’s needed to cause a withdrawal response in a non-lame horse, possibly making the diagnosis of subtle lamenesses easier.
Q. Why did you decide to take part in this particular research project?
I plan on working in an equine private practice when I graduate and I’d like to eventually do a residency in the field of equine medicine. I figured this research project would help me gain more knowledge and experience in my area of interest and it definitely has. It’s given me a much better understanding of what an equine practice is all about. Up until this summer, I had little vet experience with horses. Now I know for sure that I’ve chosen the right career for me.
Q. What’s been your favourite subject so far in the veterinary medicine program?
I really enjoyed anatomy. The professors were great and learning about how different parts of the body interact and work together is amazing.
Q. Describe your experience with animals before you came to the WCVM.
Most of my experience has been with my own horses at home. I’ve also worked in stables as well as on a PMU (pregnant mares’ urine or equine ranching) farm. And I did some research work with cattle and pigs at the University of Manitoba.
Q. Can you describe your past involvement in research?
Most of my experience with research involved lab work and only some field work. I was never truly involved in the project other than being told what to do. The WCVM’s summer research program has been so different. I have a lot of responsibility and our research is all out in the field doing work that’s clinically applicable.
Q. If you were asked to talk to the Class of 2015 about your research experience, what would you say?
If you’re interested in research, make sure you do some of your own research first. Find out who you will be working with and what the project is all about. I’m working with a great team of people and it makes the experience so much better. You’ll also get so much more out of the experience if the project is of special interest to you.
Robyn Thrasher of Edmonton, Alta., is a second-year veterinary student at the WCVM. Robyn is producing stories about the veterinary college’s clinical services, research program and its researchers as part of her summer job in research communications.
