( VETERINARY SURGEON IN THE SPOTLIGHT )
CHN VETERINARY SURGEON IN THE SPOTLIGHT This issue CHN’s Clare Tobin chats with
James Evans BVetMed MRCVS of Rossdales Hertfordshire Veterinary Surgeons
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE MAIN ISSUES AFFECTING EQUINE VETERINARY SURGEONS TODAY?
I think there are a number of issues affecting the equine veterinary profession, but probably one of the main concerns are the mental health issues experienced by some vets. There is a lot of pressure on vets today and it’s not a career for everyone. The profession has one the highest serious injury rates and suicide rates of any profession in the world. Today, with so much more awareness of mental health problems and greater focus on these issues, I think it can only help vets and the wider profession if potential issues are recognised early and these talented individuals receive the support and help they need, when it is required. At Rossdales, the practice has a number of ways to provide support to our vets, and takes this issue very seriously.
PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHY YOU WANTED TO BECOME AN EQUINE VET?
I’ve been around horses from a young age, with my whole family owning and riding horses, and as soon as I was allowed to ride I was hooked. I knew that I wanted to work with horses and spent time with lots of different people doing a variety of jobs, but it was the day I spent with a vet that really struck a chord with me. Once I had seen what vets could do and the difference they could make, I decided I was going to be a vet. I achieved the grades I needed to attend vet school and went on to study at the Royal Veterinary College. I've worked in equine practice ever since I graduated, working at various practices around the Home Counties (and with some of the top riders and horses in the country) before joining Rossdales Hertfordshire in 2017.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE AND WHAT SPECIAL QUALITIES DO YOU
BRING TO THE PROFESSION? I work as a first opinion ambulatory equine vet.
That means I see all types of horses and ponies and provide a complete veterinary service to my clients, dealing with any problem that they are concerned about. We see equine patients that range from miniature Shetlands to elite competition horses - and everything in between. It brings enormous variety to my caseload, which is one of the best parts of the job. No two days are ever the same. In terms of special qualities, I have great determination and drive to provide the very best outcome possible for my equine patients and their owners. I think it’s these qualities that push me to continually improve my veterinary knowledge and skills through CPD (Continuing Professional Development), allowing me to keep up-to-date with new research, technologies and techniques that I can then bring to my patients.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE VET
WITHIN A LOCAL COMMUNITY? I think the role of the vet is constantly evolving, especially since the advent of the Internet and social media, which means that vets can now interact with their clients in a variety of ways other than in person or by telephone. Customer care is a high priority - our job is about providing a high quality service to our equine patients and their owners at a reasonable cost for all involved. The role of a vet involves a huge amount of trust, honesty, and communica- tion between many different people – owners, farriers, trainers, paraprofessionals, etc. It can be incredibly intense and exhausting, but it is also particularly rewarding when you’re able to help bring a horse or pony back to full health for their owner.
66 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019
WHY SHOULD CLIENTS CHOOSE ROSSDALES HERTFORDSHIRE FOR
THEIR VETERINARY SERVICES? As a practice, our aim is always to provide first class complete veterinary care to our equine patients and their owners. Our vets at Rossdales Hertfordshire have a wealth of experience and the respective team members have specialised interests in breeding, orthopaedics, medicine and, for me personally, dentistry. Importantly, we have the back up of our world-class hospital in Newmarket, where there are state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, when more detailed lameness and medical investigations or specialist surgery are required. Rossdales has more RCVS, European and American recognised specialists than any other equine practice, with specialist expertise in internal medicine, surgery, diagnostic imaging and sport horse medicine and rehabilitation. As a branch practice of Rossdales, we can offer a seamless referral service to the hospital, to provide the very best service for our clients and their horses, with excellent communication between our team members.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AWAY FROM WORK TO RELAX?
When I get away from work I can usually be found out on a local golf course or watching a game of rugby.
To find out more about Rossdales Hertfordshire’s full range of services or to book an appointment, call 01462 790221 or visit
www.rossdales.com/hertfordshire.
For the latest news
visitwww.centralhorsenews.co.uk
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