Growing up in Zimbabwe, I was always surrounded by our menagerie of pets, and I knew I wanted to work with animals. A vet was top of my list. At age fourteen, I read about veterinary nursing, and my decision was made; this was what I wanted to do.
My first job as a receptionist at our local vet, from the age of sixteen, cemented my decision and introduced me to the veterinary world. I gained my Diploma in Veterinary Nursing at Onderstepoort in South Africa and then worked for a year in Zimbabwe as a veterinary nurse.
London came calling. So aged twenty-one, I moved to the UK and worked as a veterinary nurse at several hospitals, including the RSPCA Harmsworth Hospital. The caseload there was large and varied and the highlight of working in London was the experience I gained in this busy hospital.
When I moved to Perth, Western Australia, I worked as a veterinary nurse, then Practice Manager, before progressing to Clinical Operations Manager in a large group of veterinary hospitals. Taking on additional clinics, my role changed to Regional Manager for VetPartners. As a young veterinary nurse, I never thought my career would lead to Regional Manager. Through the years I have been mentored by some amazing professionals who provided me with opportunities to develop essential skills, enabling me to take on this role. Looking after several veterinary hospitals in Perth, each day is different and often challenging. I enjoy interacting with the teams, each unique, but we all work towards the common goal.
I’ve been privileged to have worked in a few countries, with some incredible people. In this profession, everyone you encounter provides an opportunity to learn and develop new skills, whether practical, effective communication or problem-solving
