My Goal To Pursue A Veterinary Medicine Course

The first animal I saw euthanised, a sheep named Solomon, exposed me to the harsh reality of being a vet. To remain composed, despite many of his keepers being very emotional, is an essential quality that all vets need to have. More difficult was witnessing the gradual deterioration of the animal’s appetite and movement, as he had a large kidney stone in his urethra. I believe that this experience developed me as an individual, as the decision of whether or not to take an animal’s life is the most difficult of all as a vet and the most difficult to observe. During the process I was not afraid to get involved, holding the sheep down whilst he was given a mild sedative, and carrying the body to the morgue. From this experience at Longleat Safari Park, I gained a greater understanding of the variety of different animals that vets work with, as for two weeks I worked with hoof stock, farm animals, primates and desert dwellers, as well as shadowing the park vet. This experience also showed me the similarities between the anatomies of different animals – I found it fascinating that rhinos and giraffes on safari both received the same treatment as the donkeys on the farm. I was lucky enough to attain this placement after helping a friend who had a bird fly into her house.

In a panic and knowing I wanted to work with animals, she called me I came straight to her house, safely releasing the bird. As an act of gratitude she put me in contact with the head of ‘Animal Operations’. They were able to offer me an interview and subsequently a placement. During two weeks of experience at a small animal veterinary practice, I shadowed surgery and was fascinated by the precision with which the vets operated. I was able to get involved with as much as possible, cleaning equipment after surgery, mucking out kennels and looking after the animals after they came to from their local anaesthetic. There were a number of life changing operations that I witnessed, most notably on a Labrador with a ruptured cruciate ligament. To see the Labrador walking again, using his leg as if there was no problem, the day after the vet used nylon sutures to mimic the ligament was truly incredible. The conversation between the vet and the owner after the operation really stayed with me and consolidated my desire to be a vet; the look of elation coupled with relief on his face emphasised for me that the importance of being a vet is not only improving the life of the animal but also the life of the owner. For over a year I have volunteered at the practice every Saturday, helping with administration and seeing the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure the practice runs smoothly. I have achieved a bronze award in the Intermediate Biology Olympiad and am looking forward to competing in the Senior Biology Olympiad. I am a senior prefect in my school, which has improved my team skills as I am part of a group where each has his own role to help with the smooth running of the school.

As charity captain, I have the responsibility of organising a week of charity events, again, strengthening my organisation and communication skills. In my spare time I enjoy walking people’s dogs through an app that allows me to connect with people unable to walk their own. I am a part of both my school football team and the school chess team, developing my ability to remain composed under pressure. Through teaching younger students at an after-school chess club, I have learnt how to explain complex things in an easily comprehensible way, much in the way that a vet tries to explain a medical problem to a pet owner without confusing them by using too much subject terminology. Veterinary medicine is a course which requires commitment, determination and composure – qualities that I believe I exhibit. I am under no illusions about the demands of the course but instead look forward to the challenge and the opportunity to improve the lives of animals and owners myself.