Inside the pathology suite training New Zealand’s next generation of veterinarians

Professor of Veterinary Pathology Keren Dittmer inside the pathology suite.

Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s purpose-built pathology suite in Palmerston North is training the next generation of veterinarians to investigate disease and protect the nation’s food supply.

Massey said that as New Zealand faced ongoing biosecurity threats from animal disease, the country relied on highly trained veterinarians to detect and respond quickly.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is New Zealand’s largest employer of veterinarians.

The university said this reflected the important role vets played in responding to disease outbreaks and safeguarding the country’s food systems and exports.

Professor of Veterinary Pathology Dr Keren Dittmer said understanding disease was fundamental to that role.

“We need vets to protect food systems and respond to disease, but before they can do that, they have to understand disease, and this is where that begins.”

The pathology suite includes a spacious autopsy area with hydraulic tables for large animals, a tutorial room equipped with multi-headed microscopes, and dedicated laboratory and imaging spaces.

Here, students work through real cases submitted by veterinary clinics across the country.

In their final year, students take part in supervised autopsies, investigating disease processes first-hand.

They analyse clinical histories, collect samples and refine diagnoses before contributing to reports that are returned to the submitting veterinarian.

“Working through real cases allows students to turn theory into practice,” Dittmer said.

“They develop diagnostic and problem-solving skills and strengthen their practical abilities, while also reinforcing the importance of compassion, respect and professional judgment in veterinary care.”

Beyond teaching, the facility also supports New Zealand’s wider biosecurity system.

Because students and staff examine animals from across the country, any cases showing signs of a potentially exotic disease are referred to MPI for further investigation.

“In particular, we focus on helping students recognise diseases that are not present in New Zealand and understand how to respond if they encounter something unusual,” Dittmer said.

Dittmer said one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching was seeing students make the connection between theory and practice.

“There’s a moment where it clicks for them. They can see how what they’ve learned translates into real-world understanding, and that’s when they begin to take on their role in protecting animal and human health, food systems and our country.”