World Vet Day

What inspired you to become a vet?
A: I’ve always had a love for animals, especially wildlife, so I knew I wanted to pursue a career working with animals.

My journey to becoming a vet wasn’t the typical story of always wanting to be one since childhood. It wasn’t until I was about 15 that I developed a desire to become a vet. I was always unsure of my career path, other than knowing I wanted to work with animals. Eventually, I decided on a veterinary career because I wanted a rewarding and intellectually challenging job that would also allow me to work with wildlife and nature.

What has been your best role/job as a vet?
A: My current role at South Nowra Veterinary Hospital is my best yet. I work with a wonderful team who are like family to me, providing care to pets and wildlife to the best standard we can. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see the transformation of unwell pets we care for and the love and gratitude expressed by pet owners.

What do you believe is one thing we all need to focus on to ensure sustainability within the profession?
A: It’s crucial to have strong leaders who foster a positive work culture. This means valuing and supporting team members, avoiding excessive workloads and overtime, and ensuring that the care provided is of the highest compassion and excellence. By rewarding and appreciating each team member’s contributions, we can create a sustainable and fulfilling work environment.

Where do you see yourself in your veterinary career in 10 years?
A: Over the coming years, my goal is to have partnership in a clinic, and continue to growing my skills in the field of wildlife. also hope to pursue opportunities to be involved in the care of African wildlife and be respected by other vets as someone they might call for assistance with wildlife cases.

Dr Dan Lawson
Lead Veterinary Surgeon, South Nowra Veterinary Hospital

Dr Maddie Jardine
Veterinary Surgeon, Aldwins Road Vet Clinic

What inspired you to become a vet?
A: We’ve always had animal family members who needed caring for, so I think by default I’ve always been passionate about animal welfare. Watching WhatNow and veterinarian Dave Marshall’s segment on the show every Sunday morning also inspired me to work in the veterinary industry. I currently work in the practice that he used to manage, which is pretty neat!

I made a conscious decision to proceed with studying towards a BVSc when I was 18. I’d felt drawn to the job for many years prior to that, but had interests in other (very different) subject areas, like music, which made choosing one path to follow after high school very difficult.

We can work as vets and have enthusiasm in other areas concurrently, that can be just as rewarding. This diversity is something to be celebrated and encouraged in our workplaces, because I think it helps us relate to our colleagues and clients, and be better humans.

What has been your best role/job as a vet?
A: Educating students at Bristol University in 2020 has been a career highlight. The job description changed overnight when COVID-19 lockdowns were enforced, and my team became in charge of shifting their veterinary curriculum online in just a few weeks. I also enjoy roles where I can help the endemic, taonga species of Aotearoa; I’ve been super fortunate and worked with species like Kākāpō and the North Island Green Gecko.

Where do you see yourself in your veterinary career in 10 years?
A: The uncertainty of this is part of the fun really; hopefully in a rewarding job with a stellar team and a clinic garden, like I have at the moment!

What do you believe is one thing we all need to focus on to ensure sustainability within the profession?
A: More than one focus is required! Paying our support staff the Living Wage, as a bare minimum.

What inspired you to become a vet?
A: I was always drawn to both science, animals and agriculture. I loved the challenge of medicine and problem solving but also the rewarding aspect of working in a service industry.

What age did you know you wanted to become a vet?
A: At around age 17 at the end of high school – I saw it as a possibility for the first time and became set on wanting to make it a reality.

What has been your best role/job as a vet?
A: I love being a vet in general! I love being hands on with patients and developing relationships with clients. I also work in a fantastic practice in Murray Bridge with a hardworking, organised and kind team. I truly believe it would be hard to find another place like it. I like coming to work every day and that really helps me be a better vet.

The other fantastic part about being a vet is opportunity – through my Study Leave with Vet Partners I was able to spend 3 weeks in March 2024 volunteering in Samoa for vets beyond borders. It was a fantastic experience and an incredible way to explore and learn about a new culture. I really appreciated the opportunity to use my skills in a different environment. Having minimal resources compared to Australia tested my veterinary skills in a new way and taught me to look at cases from a different perspective. I was very grateful for the experience I have had, the people I met, and the memories made.

Where do you see yourself in your veterinary career in 10 years?
A: I hope to still be practicing as a GP vet in a well established clinic. I love living in regional SA, so I can still imagine my self in similar location for a long time. As long as I am sounded by a workplace with a healthy culture and always looking for new opportunities and challenges, I will be happy.

What do you believe is one thing we all need to focus on to ensure sustainability within the profession?
Kindness – to each other within our teams, our patients and clients. Ongoing education from within the industry is vital to gain better understanding of the reality for our communities.

Dr Molly Ashby
Veterinary Surgeon, Murray Bridge Veterinary Clinic

Dr Yasmin Ford
Veterinary Surgeon, Harewood Veterinary Surgery

What inspired you to become a vet?
A: I was 2 when I first said I wanted to be a vet, I think watching “Animal Hospital” at home in the UK growing up had a big influence on me, and I really ran with it!

What has been your best role/job as a vet?
A: My best role is my existing job at Harewood Veterinary Hospital. We gave a great team and a great client base, making working in this challenging profession much easier.

Where do you see yourself in your veterinary career in 10 years?
A: The veterinary industry can be so diverse, so it’s hard to say but I’m really enjoying being a GP right now.

What do you believe is one thing we all need to focus on to ensure sustainability within the profession?
I think we need to appropriately support our staff with opportunities for personal and professional growth and appropriate CPD opportunities, plus supporting and encouraging annual leave. I also believe having strong connections within the veterinary community to support you is really important as those people understand the struggles. And setting up healthy habits outside of work (easier said than done!)

What inspired you to become a vet?
A: I always had a love for animals as a young girl and was inspired to become a vet when I met a young female vet who vaccinated my childhood dog when I was 10 years old. This vet seemed so happy and lovely, and I could instantly see myself as her when I grew up. Then when I was 18 and in year 12 at school, my brother really encouraged me to become a vet.

Funnily enough, I have worked at my childhood vet clinic since graduating in 1998 (excluding a year working in the UK), and now I am a joint venture (JV) owner of this practice.

What has been your best role/job as a vet?
A: As I have worked at the same veterinary practice in Melbourne since graduation, and became a partner in 2008, I have enjoyed my progression from junior associate vet all the way to practice owner. I did love my one year working as a small animal vet in Essex, UK in 2004-where I fell in love with Border Terriers (I have my own my 2-year-old Border Terrier named “Oakie”!) I’m tremendously fortunate to have a career in such a well-respected and trusted profession.

Where do you see yourself in your veterinary career in 10 years?
A: I suspect I will be enjoying as much time out of work as in work! I can see I will probably focus on my long term, regular clients, some of which I’m up to treating their 3rd generation of family pet so far.

What do you believe is one thing we all need to focus on to ensure sustainability within the profession?
A: I believe we really need to focus on having appropriate students studying veterinary science/medicine, to ensure our graduates are willing and able to have long careers as veterinarians.

Dr Rachel McCue
Lead Veterinary Surgeon, Northern Suburbs Veterinary Hospital Rosanna

Dr Miles McKnickle

What inspired you to become a vet?
A: Working on a sheep farm around 14/15 years old gave me a passion for animals, so I pursued a career where I get to work with them every day!

Since graduating with a BvSc in 1990, I have worked for several equine practices in Auckland, UK and at the Singapore Turf Club.

What has been your best role/job as a vet?
A: I have particular areas of interests in orthopaedic surgery and minimally invasive arthroscopy, but my best role to date was working at Singapore Turf Club.

Where do you see yourself in your veterinary career in 10 years?
A: Hopefully doing the same thing!

What do you believe is one thing we all need to focus on to ensure sustainability within the profession?
A: Willingness and openness to learn from everyone – junior vets, nurses, support teams. Also, Vets need to ensure they are having enough time off to recharge and zone out – preferably with chocolate in one hand, and a coke zero in the other!