The Breed'n Betsy cow rectum simulator gives vet students a chance to get a feel for just what they're doing before they try it out on Betsy herself, much to appreciation of live cows everywhere.
One of the hallmarks of large veterinary medicine and the image many people think of when they hear about these kinds of vets is an arm firmly planted up to the elbow in the rear end of cow. While all vets have to learn this skill, it is not a pleasant experience for them or the cows the first time it happens. In fact, studies done on herds of cows that have been poked and prodded by a first-year class in Britain showed a drop in both milk production and fertility - and really, is it any wonder?
Human on human exams of the same kind are bad enough and no one wants to be the first patient a new doctor is "trying out" their skills on, no matter how well he or she may have done on their written exams.
Now, the Breed'n Betsy cow rectum simulator offers students the chance to get behind in their work in a safe and effective way - and one that accurately mimics the real thing. Using latex to model the back end of a cow, students can reach through with properly gloved and lubricated hands and feel for uteri, cervixes and ovaries. In addition, temperature sensors can be added as well as actual parts collected from abattoirs in order to make the experience more life-like but still keep it in the classroom.
At Bristol University, the two Breed'n Betsys purchased with a recent set of grant money have proven invaluable. Thanks to the simple instruction set, students can use them on their own time and in first-year classes the skill level of students when in the back ends of cows has risen dramatically, much to the relief of bovines around the Bristol area.
Though the Breed'n Betsy can never replace the real thing, students and cows alike benefit from having a reliable training option close at hand and one that will make sure they don't half-ass it through their studies.
Source: University of Bristol and BreednBetsy
