Vet students strip off for annual fundraising calendar

The nude calendar is a tradition for Massey University vet students.
The nude calendar is a tradition for Massey University vet students. Photo credit: Supplied/Barely There

Vet students at Massey University have again stripped off to produce the vet school's annual 'Barely There' calendar.

The calendar is a long-running tradition that funds the student's 'Half Way Day' to celebrate making it halfway through their five-year degree.

The class also picks a charity to donate 10 percent of the proceeds to, with Pet Refuge the chosen charity this year.

While the students used appropriately placed animals to protect their modesty, vet student Lauren Collins said the shoot was outside their comfort zones.

"The shoots themselves were pretty hectic, trying to coordinate multiple naked people and excitable animals to achieve the right kind of picture where everything was covered," she said.

"Plus all our shoots took place over winter so the weather was often not in our favour."

The initiative is also raising funds for Pet Refuge which that provides temporary shelter for pets affected by domestic violence.
The initiative is also raising funds for Pet Refuge which that provides temporary shelter for pets affected by domestic violence. Photo credit: Supplied/Barely There

However, she said it was a great experience.

"Being part of the naked vet calendar is such a long-running tradition at Massey and something many of us had in mind we would like to be a part of often before we even made it into vet school."

Collins said being able to donate to a charity was an important part of the project.

"Pet Refuge is a wonderful charity that provides temporary shelter for pets affected by domestic violence."

"As vet students being able to provide a percentage of our profit to a charity that is directly involved with animals is something our class was very passionate about, we strongly believe in the safety of all pets regardless of circumstance." 

Despite the risque nature of the photos, the initiative had been well received.

"At the moment all of our class is out busy selling their calendars. 

"In addition, we run the website for online orders, we got lots of preorders and many of those being international orders."

The calendars are $15 and can be purchased from the 'Barely There' website.