Vet students aiming to raise money for charity and their halfway day.
Massey University’s Veterinary School third-years are getting ready to release their annual calendar to fundraise for their halfway day and for a charity helping retired working dogs.
The Barely There Calendar has been a tradition for Bachelor of Veterinary Science students for the past 13 years, to raise money for their halfway day, which represents the midpoint of their five-year degree.
Each year, the students also choose a charity to donate 10 per cent of the proceeds to, with this year’s class choosing, Retired Working Dogs NZ, which aims to find homes for ex-working dogs, and was established in 2012 by Natalie Smith.
Students split into groups to take photos for each month.
Overcoming the awkwardness
This year’s calendar coordinators, Aimee Alexander and Stephania Hpa said that halfway day is important, but the tradition is to give back as well.
“We put out a poll to all of our students to see what charity they wanted. It was pretty clear that this was an amazing charity as these dogs still had a lot to give, but they were also a young charity so needed a helping hand,” says Miss Alexander.
On the awkwardness of the photo shoots, Miss Alexander said, “It’s something we all knew was coming, so we just embraced the tradition and the daunting nature of a nude calendar. We spilt into groups for each month with the photographs being taken all over New Zealand, mainly on farms but also at a car museum. I will say they featured many animal co-stars, strategically placed hay bales and a lot of laughter.”
Third-year student Hannah Burrows said, “Getting ready for a naked photo, with 50 other people from your class, was certainly an experience. But we have all come to be good friends over the past two and a half years, so managed to laugh it off and enjoy the photo shoot.”
The students are hoping to sell more calendars than last year. Calendars can be purchased for $15 from their website shipping both domestically and internationally. Pre-orders have opened, with the official release of the calendar early next month.