Peacock Veterinary Clinic is keen to support those interested in working with animals.  The next generation of vets and veterinary nurses need experience both before beginning their formal studies as well as whilst undertaking them.

To become a vet or a veterinary nurse takes a lot of time and commitment.  Depending on the route taken to achieve a veterinary nurse qualification, it tends to take between two and four years.  To become a vet, the course typically takes five to six years.

Providing work experience placements is therefore essential to enable the next generation of clinicians to gain valuable ‘hands-on’ experience.  Peacock Vets provides work experience for school pupils, where possible, too.  The practice has also welcomed pre-school and Primary school children on accompanied visits to highlight how to care for animals as well as what a vet does.

Competition to enter the veterinary profession is high, so any relevant experience gained before applying for a degree course is invaluable.  Animal-handling experience can be gained through volunteering, work shadowing or sometimes via paid positions.  This experience might be at a vet practice, but it could equally be gained at an animal charity, kennels or on a farm, for example. 

Iris says, “It’s so good to see young people who are passionate about animals and who want to study veterinary science.  The retention rate is poor in the UK and I am determined to build a local and helpful practice which not only supports our clients and their pets, but our staff, too”.

Meet Poppy

Poppy is one of Peacock Vet’s fantastic receptionist team, and she is hoping to gain the relevant qualifications needed to study veterinary science at University as she has always wanted to become a vet.

As she is still attending Hardenhuish Sixth Form in Chippenham, she is only able to work on Saturdays, but has become a valuable member of the receptionist team.  Working at the Chippenham practice, she is not only getting first-hand experience of how a practice operates, but she will also be able to demonstrate her excellent customer service and communication skills, which are also important when applying to become a vet.

When she is not greeting clients, Poppy helps the vets and nurses where she can.  She has held animals when a vet has taken a blood sample or when they have given medication, for example.  Whilst at school, she did a week’s placement at another Chippenham vets and was able to observe a dental extraction procedure on a cat, where she said there was a lot of blood! 

“It didn’t put me off”, she says.  “I enjoy helping animals and I’m looking forward to learning about all types of animals during my degree.  I’m hoping to go abroad for a couple of years to work with exotic species and then return to work in Chippenham, ideally as a vet at Peacock Vets.

“The team have been so helpful and I’m super-grateful to Iris for giving me the opportunity to work here.  It will be great for my Personal Statement and University application.  Steph and Iris in particular have helped me enormously”.

Poppy’s entire family love animals and she and her siblings used to play ‘vets’ together when they were younger.  Growing up, her family had cats, but they have recently got two young Labradoodles.  These have fitted in well to the family, alongside their chickens, rabbits and guinea-pigs.  She is hoping that they will be successful in being able to rehome one or two ginger tabby kittens from Bath Cats and Dogs Home, soon, too.

If you are interested in working with animals, we will help as much as we can.  Our contact details are here.