Our August intake of Cutting Edge vets are currently in their ninth week and are back in the Vets Now support office furthering their Emergency and Critical Care knowledge.
This week’s Q&A is with Louise Dodds, from Swansea in Wales. Louise began her career in ECC after falling in love with animal care working with horses.
Louise did her mentored shifts in our Swansea and Birmingham clinics. If you would like to follow in her footsteps and sign up for Cutting Edge, click here to find out more.
Name: Louise Dodds
Hometown: Swansea
Where did you go to university? Bristol University
Why did you decide to become a vet? Before becoming a vet, I worked with horses on a stud farm. It was there I realised I wanted to do something more challenging – preferably something that could combine my love of animals with my interest in science. Becoming a vet allowed me to combine my two passions.
Give me a quick rundown of your career? I started off at a busy first opinion, small animal practice with no out of hours. However, I was thrown in the deep end when I was inadvertently left alone in sole charge and emergencies kept rolling in. It wasn’t until I came back from maternity leave that I realised I wanted to focus on ECC, as it was a bit more exciting.
What’s the most enjoyable thing about being a vet? It definitely has to be working with animals. Having the opportunity to help an injured pet when they really need it is wonderful, and it’s good to know you have made a difference to a pet’s life.
Why do you want to work in emergency and critical care? I want to make a difference with the animals that I treat and Cutting Edge is a great way for me to get the skills I need to do so.
What would be your advice to someone who is thinking of becoming a vet? Don’t give up. It is hard going and can be stressful at times, but it’s definitely worth it in the end.
What do you like to do outside of work? I like to go trail running as well as doing yoga. I also have a general love of the Welsh countryside.
Tell me an interesting fact no one else knows about you? I do a five kilometre run around my local park, and my personal best with my child’s buggy is 30 minutes and 55 seconds.
The next intake for Cutting Edge is in January, and places are filling up fast. We are also recruiting for more experienced vets for Refresh Your Edge. If you, or any vets you know, are interested in applying, please call the Vets Now recruitment team for more information on 01383 841181 or click here.
