VN August 2023

Vetnuus | August 2023 6 Almost all vets grow up with a profound love for and bond with animals, with the notion that one day in their future careers they will help animals in some capacity and make a difference in an animal’s life. The reality is often unfortunately different, with many challenges facing us as vets in both professional and personal capacities. I believe that female vets have particular challenges. However, these have evolved over time from the battle for acceptance into vet school, and then society as recognized professionals, to balancing modern life demands and expectations. My inspiration to become a vet happened halfway through Grade 11 when I was on a family trip to Mozambique, and I saw a stray dog with an injured eye. The lack of veterinary care and infrastructure faced by so many African communities struck me deeply. My decision to study veterinary science was challenging from the get-go, especially because I had made my decision to study veterinary science so late and thus, I had not chosen the necessary subjects. I’ve always had a profound awareness of animal sentience and its welfare. Were I not tomake it into Onderstepoort, I had planned to study law and enter the legal field to promulgate animal advancement and their interests within society. I even applied and was accepted to law school while I was waiting to find out if I had been accepted to study veterinary science. Fortunately, after much sweat and tears and many visits to Hatfield Square, I succeeded in gaining admission into the BVSc degree. Vet student life was fun. We lived, partied and studied together. I have many fantastic memories of my time at OP. These include playing squash in the middle of an all-nighter before an anatomy test, some somewhat fuzzy memories of Clubhouse parties, and just the overall amazing spirit that I experienced as a member of the Onderstepoort community. That is not to say that I, along with many of my peers, did not face significant hurdles along the way. It’s difficult being away from home and your routine support system, and it doesmake you as a student and as an individual more vulnerable to emotional challenges. Fortunately, I was able to maintain regular contact with my family and travel home quite frequently to visit them. I also found support by talking to some lecturers. As a student, I took an early interest in leadership and was elected to serve on several committees, most significantly standing as Academic Representative on the OPVSC (Onderstepoort Paraveterinary and Veterinary Student’s Council) for two years. This taught me many valuable skills which I still use today – time management, patience, and organizational skills, as well as the opportunity to meet many senior members of the faculty’s staff. As we all know, your final-year clinics are a special form of torture that tests vet students to the limit, but clinics undoubtedly give us so much invaluable practical experience and knowledge. We had several international exchange students come to do clinics with us. I was also privileged enough to visit St George’s University’s vet school in the Caribbean as part of the International Veterinary Student’s Association’s (IVSA) student exchange programme. In comparison, Onderstepoort’s facilities are truly world-class and offer us first-rate learning. I joined SAVA in my community service year. I felt that SAVA offered me many benefits, especially their CPD events. This holds true now as well. A few years later, in 2020, I became a member of the SAVA Animal Ethics and Welfare Committee (AEWC). I was nominated for the role by Dr Aileen Pypers, who had beenmy CCSmentor and was aware of my keen interest in animal welfare and ethics. Being on the AEWC has allowed me to work together with stalwarts of the South African animal welfare scene, who have taught me much and allowed me to gain valuable insights into the animal welfare sector in South Africa. My role on the committee has since evolved from member to secretary and now to chairperson. The AEWC also reviews controversial animal welfare topics which concern the members of SAVA. The AEWC’s scope and involvement have also grown to include socio-political, legal and ethical issues concerning animal welfare. Examples include advising the past-President of SAVA, Dr Leon de Bruyn, with position statements regarding the highly controversial live export of livestock on ships to the Middle East, and publishing informative articles about the welfare implications of brachycephalism in companion animals. In addition to my work as a small animal veterinarian in the private and animal welfare sectors, I completed my MSc in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law through the University of Edinburgh in 2022. I felt the need to further my interest in animal welfare, and learning has always been a passion FEMALEVETS IN PRACTICE Work-life balance remains especially elusive to many vets. Dr Bevin Meyer Clinics are an excellent platform for us to base our future careers on, and we are privileged to be exposed to such a high and varied caseload that we see at Onderstepoort. I like to think that I always bounced back, but sometimes it did come at a great personal cost. The AEWC’s role is primarily to keep abreast of South African and international animal welfare organisations, matters and affairs brought forward by these bodies.