After attending a lecture on how genetic diseases within humans and animals can be detected early and their effects prevented, I became fascinated with pathology and the biological mechanisms by which animals cope with illnesses. Combined with my long-held passion for animal welfare, my interest in veterinary medicine began to take shape. Reading the veterinary record has kept me up to date with recent issues and developments, such as new radiation therapies for treating brain tumors in dogs. I am excited by how quickly veterinary medicine is advancing; something which I want to be a part of.
Throughout my varied work experience, I have seen that the role of veterinarians is not limited to the operating theatre but that they have a greater influence in wider society from contributing to public health to biomedical research and regulating food production. During my four weeks of work experience in small animal practices, I watched a range of surgeries from routine spayings and castrations to more unique procedures such as thyroidectomy and cystostomy. I also had the opportunity to observe several consultations, where I recognized the importance of a meaningful relationship between the vet and client, and how trust must be established for the most effective animal care. A case that particularly took my interest was a French bulldog that had been experiencing frequent coughing and noisy breathing and consequently was diagnosed with brachycephalic airway syndrome after a physical examination and chest x-ray were carried out. Although this condition can be managed medically, this cannot amend the underlying anatomical abnormalities which lead to more severe respiratory issues in the long run. This has given me an insight into the realities of the profession including the moral responsibility that vets have to make surgical decisions while considering the quality of life of the animal, and that at times euthanasia is the best option.
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My two weeks of work experience at livestock farms including poultry, pigs, and sheep provided me with a different set of skills to the ones I gained in a clinical setting, such as large animal handling and feeding. I have volunteered every Saturday for 6 months at my local stables where I helped with riding lessons and have developed husbandry skills including learning how to handle horses safely. By making up feed I was able to learn about their diet while studying their basic anatomy and behavior including indicators of stressors. I also spent one week at a zoo where I worked with a variety of exotic animals. During this time, I had the opportunity to shadow a zoo vet who treated a spider monkey with a fractured limb and I helped with several conservation programs involving endangered species. I am currently volunteering at an animal shelter where I have seen the tragic consequences of animals not being treated with the correct care. This has led me to become a more empathetic, compassionate person while developing my animal handling skills. I have planned further work experience at a farm during the next lambing season as well as a week during half term at a veterinary laboratory.
I have gained significant practical lab experience by taking part in a research project into ionic liquids in partnership with the institute for research in schools. We were then able to present our research findings to an audience which strengthened my public speaking and teamwork skills. I have completed an Essential First Aid (adult) course with St John’s ambulance which has tested my abilities to cope well under pressure during emergency situations, a skill which is vital as a vet, for example during complications within the surgery. I have achieved grade 5 in the flute and played for three years in a youth wind band and symphony orchestra. I have developed leadership skills through the role of school prefect and have mentored a group of younger students in mathematics which developed my communication skills. I have completed two online courses, ‘Animal welfare and behavior’ and ‘Do you have what it takes to be a veterinarian?’ Both of these have provided me with a greater understanding of the main welfare issues which animals have to endure, such as the risk of lameness in larger animals. One teaching which stood out to me was the concept of ‘one health’ meaning that the well-being of both animals and humans is interdependent and protected by vets, for example by the development of antibiotics for zoonotic diseases.
What motivates me the most to become a veterinarian is that, unlike humans, animals are unable to describe their symptoms. Therefore, I hope to strengthen my problem-solving skills in order to diagnose conditions while ultimately relieving the suffering of animals. I have an avid interest in the anatomy and physiology of the body and how certain body systems are affected by diseases which have made me eager to find out how they can be treated. I appreciate that the work of veterinarians is incredibly varied, with increasing opportunities for specialism, and as someone who is a keen self-learner and enjoys being intellectually challenged, the fact that there is always something new to learn has drawn me to this profession.
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