After graduating from CSKHPKV in India with BVSc& AH of 5 years, I was selected as Veterinary Officer in the Department of Animal Husbandry.

As a Veterinary Officer in a Veterinary Hospital, I began working in mixed-animal practice, I soon realised that veterinary medicine is so much more than treatment. Our patients cannot describe their suffering, but they communicate through their eyes, behaviour, silence, and sometimes simply through the changes we observe in them. And when you treat them and they start feeling better there is no joy bigger than that. It was challenging and satisfying at the same time and it drew me towards clinical practice.

Then I moved to UAE and worked as a Senior Veterinarian at a farm which had a cow, sheep & goat, poultry, turkey, duck sections and a cheese factory. I was at an administrative post and had limited clinical work. As I was always passionate treating animals I started to look for clinical practice - it was then I met a MRCVS Veterinarian - I was influenced by her knowledge, approach to animals, treatment and judgement. I then decided to be a MRCVS. Fortunately, I saw an advertisement for international vets to work in the UK and pursue RCVS, by IVC to which I applied.

What made you choose IVC/Sussex Coast vets as place to grow and develop career?

When I was preparing for my IVC interview I researched the company - I was influenced by the company commitment and diligence in delivering exceptional veterinary care and supporting local communities.

When I joined IVC, I really found it a great place to grow and develop my career. I would say that I do not really have enough words to express my gratitude to IVC and Sussex Coast Vets. Whatever I write will never truly match the support, motivation, appreciation, patience, and hard work that they have invested in me.

When I first joined Sussex Coast Vets, it was a challenging period. I was trainee Veterinary Surgeon/VCA. I came from a different country, a different culture, a different work environment, and even a very different climate. Everything was unfamiliar. It took me a while to understand the culture, expectations, and, most importantly, the people around me.

At some point, I had to change the way I saw myself. I told myself, “I am not an officer here. I am not an administrator. I am an intern who is desperate to become a MRCVS.” That mindset changed everything. It put me into learning mode. It taught me to listen, to observe, to ask questions, to accept my limitations, and to learn from every person around me—regardless of their role.

From the Practice Manager to the vets, nurses, reception team, and everyone behind the scenes, every single person has played a part in my journey towards becoming a MRCVS. The Practice Manager has been an enormous part of my journey. She always recognised where I was lacking and helped create a path for me to develop those skills. She arranged seeing practice opportunities in equine and large-animal work and was always there whenever I felt I was struggling or was ready to give up.

The vets gave me the foundation on which I built my clinical knowledge and confidence. The nurses have been incredibly kind, patient, and supportive throughout my journey. Many of the practical skills I have developed have been honed with their help. They gave me the confidence to become more competent in everyday clinical practice. And in the background, there was always IVC.

From the day I entered the UK until today, IVC has continued to support and sponsor me through my examinations, training, lectures, and professional development as I worked towards passing the RCVS requirements and becoming a MRCVS. I came here wanting to become a MRCVS. This journey is much more than those letters after my name: I have learned the value of people who are willing to stand beside you while you learn to stand on your own.

To me, I believe that there could never have been a better place to grow and develop career than at Sussex Coast vets/ IVC.

What does a typical day look like for you? What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?

My typical day starts with consults which are 15 mins for each case. Communicating with clients, taking history, recording it on system, doing physical exam and accordingly proceeding for next steps – lab tests or otoscopic exam, ophthalmic exam or x-ray/ultrasound or surgery. Sometimes I would need to admit patients who need regular veterinary care, treatment or diagnostics. I also communicate with clients, guiding them for next steps and treatment. Then comes the prescription writing, signing and authorising/dispensing medication requested by clients. Sometimes there are emergency cases like a seizuring dog then I need to examine and treat them first.

On ops days I am doing routine surgeries like castrations, spays and dental scale-polish +/_ extraction. I love doing dental procedures. None of the above work is possible without the help and support of a good nursing team who are always eager to give outmost care and treatment to patient. I enjoy consulting the most. I love client communication and examining the pets. Giving advice and treatment. That has always been my passion.

I am also inclined towards echocardiography for which I want to do certification in future.

Tell us a bit about your practice – the culture, the cases you see etc.

We are team who stand and support each other like a family but at same time each one of us is very professional.

Reception team is just amazing, they coordinate with clients, vets, nurses and Practice manager so that the routine work of clinic runs smoothly and efficiently. A good reception team supports everyone else to organise and streamline their work. Luckily we have a great one.

One experience that I will always remember involved one of our receptionists, who, together with her partner, runs a sheep farm and offered to help me practise sheep handling for my RCVS, OSCE. That meant much more to me than simply learning a practical skill. Someone had taken time out of their own life to help me become a better veterinary professional.

The day I became MRCVS, my whole team of Sussex Coast Vets was in celebration mode. They surprised me with customised bouquet of flowers and one of the receptionists baked a special cake which was vet scrub shaped. I was in tears, of course, of happiness and a bit emotional. I felt celebrated and loved.

Since joining Sussex Coast Vets what has been the most memorable/rewarding moment for you?

The most memorable moment will be the day I passed RCVS and became MRCVS. But there is a moment which showed me that sometimes, the greatest recognition of the work we do, isn’t a certificate or an achievement. It is knowing that, in a difficult moment you made difference to someone.

As vets we often get appreciated for our clinical work by clients – one of the most rewarding moments was receiving a framed photograph from a client, of her pet who sadly has passed away and written on the back was – “To Anshu with love from xxxxx(pet’s name).” The client told me that she felt that her pet loved and trusted me. The photo was simple but the meaning behind it was incredibly powerful. It reminded me that veterinary medicine is not only about diagnosis, treatment and clinical decisions. It is also about trust and compassion we build with both patients and their owners.

Outside of work, what do you do to unwind?

After work, most of the times I am seen in the gym which has been a constant part of my life all through the years, not only for physical fitness but to gain mental strength, I learned swimming after coming to UK while I was preparing for RCVS. I do have good friends from practice and outside practice - we meet and travel places. They have helped me to understand British culture better and at the same time know about UK. I enjoy writing poems and short stories. I do practise yoga as and when I find time and on weekends.