Hey Steph,

I was wondering if I could pick your brains about the veterinary industry / qualifications etc.

My OH is desperate to get into animal work, and ideally to eventually become a vet nurse.

He has recently started to volunteer at a local sanctuary that deals with pets and wildlife to get some experience, whilst doing a distance learning course in veterinary assistance (he doesnt have the right quals to go straight into the diploma)

Whats the best route to get into vet practice work? Do you have vet assistants or only nurses? Where to vets advertise positions vacant? Are vets allowed volunteers?

Sorry to bombard with questions - Any help very much appreciated

Lisa xxx

Hi.

If he doesnt have grades in biology and maths he should defo work towards getting them.

some vets and especially animal hospitals will employ animal care assistants but I know the vet hospital in glasgow treat the animal care assistants a bit like slaves and all they do is clean. we have two animal care assistants and they do a lot of what the nurses do but they will go on to do vet nursing so it makes it worthwhile anyway.

http://www.vetnurse.co.uk/ I think this site is quite good for jobs.
I get a magazine for nurses delivered to my work and it has jobs for all over the uk. where are you from and I will keep my eye out?

I think hes doing the right thing getting experience and starting off doing the courses he can just now. if he gets his foot in the door somewhere as long as its a training practice they will put him through all his training as well as paying him for the work he does which is ideal.
http://www.rcvs.org.uk/Templates/InternalVNAward.asp?NodeID=89968&int2ndParentNodeID=89649&int1stParentNodeID=96117
here is a list of training practices if you just select your area.

also do you have a pdsa near you? get in touch with them for some voluntary work as they often employ their volunteers as animal care assistants.

when I was looking for my first job in a vets I sent out a letter asking for voluntary work and ended up employed with them so he could try that as well.

hope this helps! x