Kate talks about her journey into farm veterinary medicine

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I grew up in the Highlands, not too far from Inverness. I am not from a farming background – my family all work in the NHS.

However, I grew up in a house on a farm estate.

Throughout high school I worked on local beef and sheep farms, which led me into my career in the farming industry.

When did you first think you might want to be a vet?

I remember always wanting to be a vet – there’s a home video somewhere of me receiving ‘my first vet kit’ for Christmas as a toddler.

However, it didn’t feel like a valid option for me as I didn’t think I would get the grades in school. I never really enjoyed school – I prefer practical learning – and the thought of moving to a big city made my skin crawl so it seemed university would never be the route for me.

But after getting good grades in my 4th year exams I set my sights on vet school.

Was it hard getting the grades to get into vet school?

It certainly wasn’t easy. I had a pretty military revision plan which I worked hard to stick to – I am an expert in procrastination...

My family were super supportive and supplied me with endless cups of tea and Kinder Buenos to keep me going while my head was in the books.

Where did you study and how did you find the course?

I studied in Edinburgh, at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, and graduated in 2022.

I loved living in Edinburgh and it only took me a few months to settle into city life. It still feels like my second home.

The course is intense in comparison to other courses – I would often find my non-vet flatmates just eating their breakfast Coco Pops as I got home from a full day of lectures.

The first couple of years are all about basic biology, anatomy and animal handling which continues on nicely from what you learn in the later years of high school.

Then you start learning how to actually be a vet and it all seems to come together. Exam seasons were tough, but spending time on placement often reminded me of why I was putting in the hard work.

What was your highlight from vet school?

I once scrubbed into abdominal surgery on a tortoise which had eaten a sock. And did a post-mortem exam on a zebra.

What made you want to be a large animal vet?

I always wanted to be a farm vet even from before starting vet school. I just want to be outside in the fresh air, so a consulting room doesn’t suit me at all (although a TB test in driving rain occasionally makes me think the small-animal vets may have a point).

I am able to manage my own working time and I see sunlight during the winter months. I just love the massive variety of work I see every day.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not all being shoulder deep in a cow’s rear end – although this is the warmest place to be on a cold day.

So much of what we do is preventative, not only treating sick cows and sheep. I love the continuity of work and the ability to really become a member of the team on every farm I visit.

Are there any challenges of being a farm vet from a non-farming background?

I often notice I have less knowledge of the non-animal sides to farming. I am useless in any chat about machinery or crops.

My old boss attempted to teach me how to drive a tractor when I was 16 – I made it through two lessons before being told to just ‘stick to the quad’.

Farmers have such a wealth of knowledge which they are always willing to share – you only have to ask.

I have always tried to immerse myself into the industry and take every opportunity to learn from those around me. One day I’ll be able to drive a tractor.

Would you recommend a career as a farm vet to other young people?

Yes, 100%! We always joke that it is a lifestyle choice rather than a job – getting called out of bed at 3am to do a caesarean section on a fractious cow is understandably not for everyone.

But I am yet to find anything more rewarding than improving animal health and welfare, building solid relationships with clients, and learning something new every single day.

I may not have been qualified for that long, but I am still yet to have a ‘dull day’.

What is your advice for someone thinking about being a vet?

Just go for it! It is a common misconception that the only role within the veterinary industry is being a clinician or general practitioner.

There are so many career pathways available with a veterinary medicine degree: government work, food processing, teaching, conservation, pathology, drug development, research – the list goes on.

If you’re thinking you may want to be a vet, reach out to local vet practices/farms/kennels/rescue centres and gain as much experience as you can – this will not only give you an idea of whether this career pathway is right for you, but will also stand you in good stead for applying for university and beyond.

Would you like to see more people from a non-farming background enter the industry?

Anyone can become a farm vet, no matter their background.

I think vet students and new graduates believe the industry is not accepting of vets from non-farming upbringings. However, in my experience, this is far from true.

I believe farm practices who are taking students on placement should try to make these experiences as positive as possible to avoid future vets ruling out a farm career early on.

We as vets, and our clients, have the ability to encourage and inspire these future vets to consider a role in the farming industry, and we should take any opportunities to do so.

What is your favourite thing about being a vet?

My favourite jobs are the ‘while you’re here’ cases – I could never be prepared for some of the weird and wonderful things that have been presented to me.

At least once a day, I’ll say ‘farm vetting is all just improvisation’.

Oh, and when I am treated to a farmhouse lunch on the job – I will never say no to generous hospitality.

What is something which people might not know about being a young vet?

Communication skills are the biggest part of the job. Being able to have difficult conversations, discussing findings and making practical recommendations are the most valuable skills of a vet.

Handling the animals is the easy part!

There are so many opportunities for further professional development after graduation.

I was certainly unaware of how many tests and exams I would still sit as a qualified vet. As farm vets, we are often working independently from our colleagues but as part of the farm team.

This takes a certain amount of resilience and independence as more often than not we are alone on the road – my wee dog on my passenger seat helps with that.