Why did you want to work at PDSA?
I've always wanted to work somewhere where I felt I was making a genuine difference, and that is one of the things that attracted me to PDSA.
The work PDSA does is really unique. We get to provide veterinary care to people who might otherwise struggle to access it, while also helping owners keep their pets happy and healthy.
What does a typical day at PDSA look like for you?
Some days I’m consulting, where I see a wide range of different cases: from cats who are losing weight to older dogs with arthritis.
We also see more life-threatening emergencies, like road traffic accidents or pets who have eaten something they shouldn’t. You never really know what’s going to walk through the consult door!
When I’m not consulting, I’m often in theatre performing lifesaving surgery. I also carry out routine procedures such as neutering, which can help prevent health problems later in life.
Some days involve staying late or working weekends to help our sickest patients, but it’s so rewarding. You never quite know what the day is going to bring, but you’re safe in the knowledge that the work you’re doing is making a real difference to pets and their owners.
Do you have any pets?
Earlier this year, I rehomed an older cat, called Chia, from Cats Protection. Her owner had passed away, which meant she had ended up needing a new home.
She's 15 years old and has definitely settled into retirement! She enjoys chasing the sunshine around my flat and the occasional treat or two. She's a lovely reminder that older pets still have so much love and personality to give.
What are the most common problems that pets come in for?
It varies quite a lot, but we see a lot of skin and ear problems, dental disease and problems associated with getting older.
We also see lots of preventable problems, which is why things like vaccinations, flea and worming treatment, dental care and maintaining a healthy weight are so important.
One of the things I enjoy about working at PDSA is that we don't just treat the problem in front of us, we also have the opportunity to educate owners and help prevent problems from developing in the future.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen/witnessed working at PDSA?
I once removed a whole fishing hook from a dog! Initially, I thought the hook was caught in his mouth when I saw the fishing line hanging out. However, once we sedated him, I couldn't find the hook anywhere in his mouth. An x-ray revealed that the hook had actually travelled down into his stomach!
We rushed him into surgery and removed it successfully. Thankfully, he made a great recovery and is doing well now. It's definitely one of those cases that reminds you that you really can see absolutely anything in this job.
Why do you think PDSA is an important charity?
With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, we're seeing more families facing difficult decisions about how they spend their money. Veterinary treatment can be expensive, and I believe people shouldn’t have to make the heartbreaking decision between providing care for their pet and paying their household bills.
PDSA provides a lifeline for pet owners who might otherwise have nowhere else to turn. But it's about more than just treating sick animals – it's also about education and helping owners understand how they can keep their pets healthy to avoid problems developing.
I'm really proud to be part of a charity that recognises how important the relationship between people and their pets is. For many of our clients, their pet can be a huge source of companionship, comfort and support, and being able to help protect that relationship is what makes working for PDSA so rewarding.