We’re celebrating Registered Veterinary Nurse Awareness month this May and wanted to shine the spotlight on our incredible nursing team, who do so much in the practice.
Here’s the team:
Tara, our head nurse who qualified in 2015, has been with Vetsmiths since opening. Fun fact, Tara said the strangest thing she’s ever eaten is … ‘a tarantula’s leg, which for me is very impressive as I am petrified of spiders.’
AnitaM is our second qualified nurse, alongside her side-kick Buddy, the dog who goes everywhere with her. When she was growing up she wanted to be … ‘a horse rider (I thought this was a real job when I was young) – sadly too big to be a jockey!’
Rhiannon, qualified in 2021 and has a particular interest in cats – her cat Percy is the fluffiest beautiful Ragdoll cat who sometimes comes to visit us and has a wander around cat ward with his tail high in the air as if he owns the place.
Lydia is one of our Animal Nursing Assistants (ANA) and has a menagerie of pets at home, including four cats, two dogs and a tortoise.
Emma is our second ANA and is our newest member of the nursing team. She said if she could be any animal she’d be … ‘A horse, to be able to run wild and free!’
We interviewed these ladies and here’s what they had to say . . .
When did you first realise you wanted to work with animals/and or be a vet nurse?
Anita: When I was a child – we always had a menagerie of animals and I always wanted to be with them and look after them.
Lydia: I seem to remember at school just knowing that my path was with animals so probably around 14 years old.
Emma: Having a house full of pets and being around horses and on the farm since I could walk, I knew I wanted to work with animals. It took me longer than I hoped but shows you’re never too old to follow your dreams.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
Tara: Having to say goodbye to someone’s pet and then sometimes having to put on a smile to welcome someone’s new joy into their lives straight after. That’s hard.
Rhiannon: Saying goodbye to animals.
What do you most enjoy about being a vet nurse/ANA?
Anita: The variety and talking to people. Building connections with both the animal and client. Also the feeling of helping as much as I can.
Emma: Living my dream – it’s hard work and long days, but I love it.
Lydia: Watching the journey of people’s animal’s recovery.
Tara: I enjoy being in a position where I can help, whether this is with a sick patient or educating someone on the welfare of their pet. I also enjoy taking bloods, placing intravenous catheters and taking radiographs.
Is there a patient at Vetsmiths that sticks out for you and why?
Anita: Molly the bengal – she always comes in for her arthritis injection with me and is such a lovely girl. So calm and sweet. Recently she’s been in an accident and has been a trooper through it.
Lydia: Dexter Dyke because he went through so much, but was just so brave at the same time.
Rhiannon: I recently helped out with a caesarean on Minnie the golden retriever where 10 puppies were delivered!
Emma: I can’t pick just one, so here’s two – 100% Elsa for being such a patient darling angel the most snuggly soppy big softie ever! And Remi Blue one of my first Prep for Vet puppies – she has gone from a little nervous little girl, to an outstanding clever, bold, fabulous little lady; an asset to her parents. I love them both.
How long does it qualify to become a registered veterinary nurse?
Rhiannon: Two years.
Tara: Two years, depending on re-take rules.
Current pets and names – do you have a favourite and why?
Anita: Ozzie – my ginger cat and Buddy – my small crossbreed dog. You can’t have favourites!
Lydia: I love all my pets, but obviously Albert is my world.
Tara: Biscuit, my house rabbit – he is the most placid rabbit ever and will give kisses to anyone.
Emma: Austin my five-year old Pug-zu and Murphy my 18-year old Irish sports horse.
Rhiannon: Percy the fluffy Ragdoll cat.
Best thing about working at Vetsmiths?
Lydia: Being part of something special.
Tara: Being part of a fabulous team that all share the same passion as me when it comes to delivering the best care to our clients and to each other. I could not have asked for a better practice to be part of.
Emma: Being part of an amazing team, such lovely people and clients.
Rhiannon: Getting to see my friends (colleagues) every day.
Anita: I love our family feel and the relationships we have. We are all so caring and it shows towards clients, animals and each other.
We can’t thank Tara, Anita, Rhiannon, Lydia and Em enough for their hard work, commitment, passion and love they put in every day.
