RHA course

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Oh good. I've filled the application form in - not sure what is stopping me put it in the post - I need to get my act together! Really don't know much about it. I suppose that doesn't matter though; we'll soon find out! You were my first reply on this forum - I've never been on a forum before and I joined here today! :)) x
 
The first part (coursework) is £95 and then the 3-day residential is £195 and then the exam at the end is £20. Pretty sure of those costs. It's open- university style learning and can be done in your own time.
 
this sounds so interesting. I want to do this to see what I can learn. it's seems a bit silly though as don't think I would ever use it for a job. Think this is something I am going to have to save until later life as don't really have that kind of money right now as just bought a house with my boyfriend back in april right before the slump.

Shame but will keep it in my mind for later on in life. :)
 
Welcome to the forum Charlotte. I am on this course and really do recommend it. I am wondering if the prices have gone up though - I paid £82 in September for the coursework, I owe £175 for the residential and £20 for the exams. I have learnt a lot and can't wait to go on to the full G-BAR course. Doing my RHA residential on 14th March...eeeek! Anybody want to come along and meet me and any of the Humphreys Guineas? :))
 
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Unfortunately I'm not able to recommend this course at all.

My friend undertook it last year - with very poor feedback.

The idea is great but the course consisted of very poor quality and sometimes misleading and muddled handouts with 6 phone calls from Vedra. There were only 5 phone calls, 3 of them were of some value, the other 2 were short and of no value.

She decided not to take the 2nd part of the course although I can see that maybe that would have been beneficial as it is practice based with your own piggies.

I think £95 was far too much to pay for when buying several good books, including Vedra's, would have been better.

I hope that the quality of the delivery has vastly improved from 2008.

As I say, a great idea but for me it needed some serious tweeking and an admin overhaul.

I have to say in support of Vedra I realise that she has brought alot of benefit to the welfare of guinea pigs but admin is certainly not her strong point.
 
I do have to agree the organisation and writing isn't as consistent as it should be and to the standard you would expect - but then Vedra isn't a published author or teacher so it passing on information her own way. Personally I didn't like the phone calls, but they were scrapped by November anyway and replaced with review question papers - which I found much more useful.
Normally I am a stickler for correct spelling, grammar etc., but luckily the way I choose to study (writing key points, and continually rewriting until I have all in the info in my own interpretation - as well as firmly in my brain!) means any disorganisation/off-topic sections aren't as hard to get my head around.
 
That sounds better - thanks for updating me CCC4

It's only natural that they will have teething problems but I always feel it's important to present it in a professional way if it is to be valued.
 
Thanks for all the feedback. Um, this is a tricky one. The admin etc. does sound slightly troublesome, I have to admit, but I guess if you learn lots along the way then that's the up side. I'm a sub-editor and a stickler for all that stuff too ;) which could prove frustrating. Still, if the phone calls have now been scrapped and replaced with review papers, maybe it's all gone under review in terms of communications etc.

I'm only thinking of doing it hobby-wise, I have had lots of trouble in the past with teeth, and am really keen to learn as much as I can dental-wise to help my own rescue pigs as much as I can. :)
 
Charlotte said:
I'm only thinking of doing it hobby-wise, I have had lots of trouble in the past with teeth, and am really keen to learn as much as I can dental-wise to help my own rescue pigs as much as I can. :)
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And that is a fabulous thing to do - the more we learn the more care we can offer our piggies.

I think it's lovely that so many people take such interest in their animals, it's not always the case. This was only my opinion of course, sounds as though things are already better. :)
 
it's just good to know what everyone thinks. of course the content is the most important, but it's always good to be prepared for a few 'teething troubles' re: admin etc. i'll post my application form this week. thanks for all the feedback! x ;)
 
I'm going to be starting the course soon, and am looking forward to it.
I had a feeling that the admin might be a little lapse, but I'm really quite looking forward to it xx>>>
 
CCT course

For those of you thinking of taking the BAR course,before wasting your money,please be aware that this course has no official recognition.The BAR is not recognised by the vetinary profession,nor ny any educational authority or examination board.

The "exams" are set and marked by Vedra.The course work is poorly compiled.

There is no way getting the BAR "diploma" will help you to get a job with animals.

The residential course involves bagging up hay,walking dogs and other work,you will be lucky to get near a gp except maybe to bath one.

The British Association of Rodentologists does not officialy exsist,.
 
I think people are considering it as a way of knowing more about their own guineas rather than as an 'official' qualification. Having taking some very sick piggies of mine to see Vedra, I would trust her over my vet any day and it's worth the trip (she's not that close to me).

I'm going on a dentistry course there soon, as I have over 60 rescue piggies here and teeth seem to be the most common issue.

Sophie
x
 
Agreed. Teeth and skin have always been my main issues and it's lots of leg-work and sleepless nights trying to get the teeth sorted long-term. Would be great to be able to do a few more things at home. Does anyone know if, with the initial coursework part, any of Vedra's books are included as part of the package? Or do you have to buy those separately?

Charlotte x
 
So what course would be for the best if say you wanted to get a qualification out of it?

Just wondered like :))
 
Vedra's book is sold separately - but most of the coursework is compiled of the book in any case.

Delia's post is very strongly worded and yet nobody knows her or what has happened in her experience for her to say this. Everyone has opinions and the warning about it not being official is worth knowing, but one thing it is not is a waste. I fail to see how learning guinea pigs inside out and learning to spot signs of illness - and knowing the best treatments - is wasting your money. I think the courses are overpriced, yes, but then again I wouldn't put a price on having that degree of medical knowledge when it comes to my own pigs and the many illnesses I have had to deal with.

People don't do it for the piece of paper at the end, they do it to learn the medical expertise. I know of vets who have employed rodentologists purely to run a rodent-specific health clinic, so while rodentology is not officially recognised, the courses are certainly not a waste of paper.

There has always been a student conducting examinations alongside Vedra and I have been many times, so would be interested to know when Delia has done the residential for herself and had to do the other duties mentioned instead of working with the patients.

Whether it is official and recognised by the law is not the point of the courses. Given the state of the official organisations and the substandard practices of many of their people, I'd take a rodentologist any day.
 
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I think that Rodentology, although not officially recongized as a qualification, arms you with the knowledge needed to be able to advise on healthcare for rodents. Many veterenarians, especially here in the UK, are not amply qualified in care for rodents, yes they are Vets, but no they have little to no idea what to do with a Guinea pig, Chinchilla etc. and are at a loss as what to do with them. This is where a part as a rodentologist would come in, many of who run rescues and work with rodents every day, and as CCC4 said, help to run rodent specific clinics with the help of vets.
I agree that the courses are a little expensive, but it's worth every penny to gain the information specific to learn as much as you can, especially if you run a rescue of any sort, or want to do your best for your pets.

So what course would be for the best if say you wanted to get a qualification out of it?
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Zoological courses are really the only way to go to get a formal qualification, however, this also would not lead to you gaining a job that actually helps animals, and is much more about research- Laboratory based etc.
 
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Thanks LeeBee! :)

Yep I do agree its all right giving the negative aspects of a course but knowing why would help and also what other courses are available. I'm too far away to consider vedra really anyway. :)
 
moonie8404 said:
http://www.animalcollege.co.uk/guinea_pig_care_and_behaviour.htm

is this what we are talking about? i was looking into doing this - purely for personal gain and satisfaction, and nothing more?.
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Looks like a good course for more of an 'official' specific recognition and as you say personal gain. Thank you for posting it. I might consider it also, though I would find it infuriating if had had wrong/outdated info on it!

The course we're talking - Rodent Health Advisory - about is run by the Cambridge Cavy Trust, and the course is the precursor to the full rodentology.
 
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