My primary motivation has always been to make a difference. What drew me to veterinary anaesthesia is how we can take a veterinary patient, anaesthetise them so we can perform invasive procedures and then have them recover; my wonder at the ‘magic’ of anaesthesia is unchanged. I was drawn to research in analgesia as good analgesia makes such as positive impact to patients. During my PhD and post doc research I found I enjoyed the teaching as much as the clinical aspects so, as my career has progressed, I have moved into teaching.
Vets and VNs may work with animals but they are people working with people. I seek to understand how people manage themselves and work with each other and I want to pass on the benefits on my experience and research to the next generation of vets and VNs. I am proud to be part of the movement that helps address the stigma around mental health, considers suitable working environments and promotes the personal and institutional tools and resources to optimise mental health. I am a University Staff Mental Health Champion and lead on the wellbeing component of the undergraduate veterinary science course. I also contribute to the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) discourse for both staff and students within the Veterinary School.