I wanted to be a veterinary surgeon from a young age, if I’m honest, partially inspired by the serialisation of All Creatures Great and Small and an early determination to prove people wrong that it wasn’t just a job for men!
My days now are a busy mix of consulting, operating, managing staff, and the unexpected.
Tell us about your career journey so far
I qualified from The Dick Vet and began working in small animal practice from the weekend after my exam results. After some voluntary work, TB testing cattle in Tanzania, I returned to small animal practice, where I have worked ever since. Initially, I thought I would specialise, then found I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of general practice. My husband and I took over our own practice twenty years ago as a two-man band, covering our own on-call, which was no mean feat with four children under five years of age. Earlier in my career, I was involved with veterinary nurse lecturing at CAFRE, which I found thoroughly rewarding.
What do you enjoy most about your role and the work you do?
I genuinely love being a small animal vet and the challenges it presents. I would encourage new graduates to consider general practice as a career and not just a stepping stone to specialisation. I am passionate about high-standard general practice, pragmatic and evidence-based medicine.
It’s a privilege to work with pets, and we share many highs and lows with clients, from first vaccination through medical, surgical, and behavioural issues. Having bonded, trusting clients who take on board advice and share with them their pet’s recovery is magical.
Tell us about your team at Millburn Vets
Our practice is our team. We have the best group of staff who all pull together to provide excellent patient care and support each other. We are a fun-loving practice, always up for a new exercise or charity challenge. This year, we participated in Veterinary Movement Month, Doddie Vet Aid, and the Belfast Marathon Relay, raising money for charity.
What’s one piece of advice or insight you often find yourself sharing with others?
I think it’s important that everyone feels that they can talk, and when they talk, that someone will listen.
How do you share your knowledge or skills with others in your practice or wider network?
I am a strong advocate of the IVC Evidensia Care Framework, which is a platform for discussion, reformulation, and updating clinical protocols. I share this knowledge in our Clinical Club once a month, and we have been thoroughly supported with this work. Benchmarking has been made easier through access to data visualisation tools. Evidence-based medicine is becoming a stronger part of our culture, supporting GP vets to provide the best up-to-date veterinary care.
I’m interested in many areas of small animal medicine, surgery, and diagnostic imaging. My interests vary and divert in many directions depending on the cases coming through the door. We have been well-resourced with equipment, and I’m looking forward to my upcoming CPD session at one of the new IVC Evidensia Training Centres!
Congratulations on your nomination for the Brilliant People Awards! How did it feel to find out you’d been shortlisted as a finalist?
I was surprised! As a GP vet from the North Coast of Northern Ireland, it’s not something I expected, so it was a great moment to be recognised on a national level.
Tell us about your pets
I have a cat, a Border Terrier, and a Wire Haired Vizsla with a very short attention span.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work to relax and recharge?
I enjoy running roads and trails with my dogs - rain, hail, or shine - and cycling around the beautiful North Coast. I encourage everyone to get outside and be active. Ireland is not well known for sunshine, but it’s not bad weather, it’s bad clothes.
How do your friends or family describe your work?
All-consuming, crazy, and thoroughly rewarding.