For many young people, the dream of becoming a vet can feel out of reach - especially if they don’t grow up with animals or have connections in the farming world. But a pioneering Scottish initiative is working to change that.
Future Vets Scotland is an organisation dedicated to opening doors for teenagers considering a career in veterinary medicine. Whether it’s a long-held childhood ambition or a new interest sparked during high school, Future Vets is working to help young people get the information, support and inspiration they need to pursue their goals.
Each summer, Future Vets runs a residential camp for 60 young people aged 15–18, offering a rare hands-on opportunity to explore life as a vet or vet nurse. Over three packed days, students scan sheep, conduct lab work, and take part in emotionally intelligent leadership training - all while engaging with Scotland’s three veterinary schools.
One of those young people was Millie Clark, who was selected as a Future Vets ambassador after attending the camp. “I’ve always wanted to be a vet,” said Millie. “I grew up helping on my grandpa’s farm and looking after my own sheep and horses. The camp was amazing - it really confirmed this is what I want to do.”
For Millie, the experience was transformative. “Future Vets has taken those walls down,” she said. “Even if you’ve never owned a pet, you can still become a vet. I know a lot of people who would be amazing vets, but they just didn’t know how.”
Future Vets is doing more than just encouraging applications. It’s actively reshaping the culture of veterinary education and support. “One in two vets quit within five years of graduating,” said Dr Gardiner. “That’s not down to the job being hard - it’s about the work environment. Are you supported? Are you valued? That’s what makes people leave.”
In response, the organisation is building a supportive network of like-minded future vets and has even launched a reporting and peer-sharing tool called CertiVet, based on aviation industry ethics. It allows vets to share experiences, advice, and learning in a safe and collaborative space.
“Veterinary has the fourth-highest suicide rate of any profession,” Dr Gardiner points out. “VetLife says most vets only feel like ‘real vets’ when they’ve done difficult procedures alone. That individualistic culture needs to change.”
For Dr Gardiner, the work is personal. “I’m a parent of two vets. I never want my children to feel that suicide is the only way out. So that’s the message I’d love to drive home: love your animal, yes - but love your vet too. They’re here to work with you, not for you.”
She also urged the public to think more broadly about the role vets play in society: “If you care about food, you need to care about vets. Food security in Scotland depends on them. That means letting young people see lambing, dairy, meat production - feeding their curiosity.”
Backed by the world’s largest library of real-life veterinary stories - from school pupils to retired professionals - Future Vets is continuing to inspire and inform the next generation.
“These are the young people who are going to change the world,” expressed Dr Gardiner. “Imagine Millie, years from now, as a qualified vet, calling someone from camp: ‘I’ve just had a terrible day.’ And they say, ‘Oh yeah, I had that last week - try this.’ That’s my dream. A global alumnus of emotionally intelligent, connected, future vets who support each other all the way through.”
As for Millie, her goal is clear. “We’ve been building presentations and social media to reach high schools all over Scotland - to show young people how to get in,” she beamed. “Because if I can do it, they can too.”
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