Make Me a Vet!

About Me

To find out a bit more about me this page will tell you about my life, education and work experiences. Use the links below to jump ahead:

Family life and hobbies

Education and work experience

Summary of Education

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Family life and hobbies:

I was brought up in the coastal towns of Cullercoats, Whitley Bay and then Tynemouth in the North-East of England where I quickly took a liking to animals. During my early childhood I cared for a number of pets including rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs.

Above: Tynemouth Longsands. Enlarge

	Left: horse-riding in Northumberland. Enlarge
	I began horse-riding when I was 9 years old and as soon as I was old enough was keen to help as much as possible. I would go on to work every Sunday at Benridge Riding Centre, Morpeth, helping with everything from mucking out to lessons with the smaller children.
	Spangle, the ginger cat on the left, was originally a feral cat. We brought her home from an RSPCA centre and with a great amount of patience regained her trust in people. She currently lives happily in my flat in Edinburgh. The black cat Baggy stayed with us for a while during my college education. Baggy and Spangle took a long time to live together in harmony but as you can see it turned out well in the end.
	Below: After the Great North Run in 2005. Enlarge

Above: Baggy and Spangle. Enlarge

In my spare time I play various musical instruments, including the flute and piano, and enjoy singing. I am a member of the Edinburgh Concert Band. I also enjoy going to the gym, attending fitness classes, playing squash with friends and running; having recently completed the 25th Great North Run for the charity Leukaemia CARE. I am already planning for this years run.

I am a member of the Edinburgh University Veterinary-Zoological Society, which allows me to attend some very interesting talks at Summer Hall.

I currently work part time in Boots Opticians in Edinburgh, as an Optical assistant.

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Education and work experience:
After leaving Marden High School, Cullercoats, with 9 A-grade GCSEs, I began studying for my A-levels at The King's School, Tynemouth in 2000. Unfortunately I missed out on being able to study veterinary science as a first degree because my grades narrowly fell short of those predicted at A-level. My studies in the year prior to my A-levels coincided with my mother being seriously ill and undergoing a major operation.
In between my A-levels and University I took a gap year to further my studies by teaching myself A-level Biology, completing the exams in June 2003, and gaining an A grade. Apart from my Biology I completed a Marine Biology course, gained a Foundation level certificate in herpetology (Proteus Reptile Trust) and organised several other work experience including lambing and placements within large and small veterinary practices. Each one offered a whole host of new and exciting aspects to veterinary medicine.
Below: Work experience lambing. Enlarge	Above: At the Reptile Trust. Enlarge

	Whilst not my chosen route, I began my Zoology degree at Edinburgh University in 2004 and found it valuable. The degree has expanded my knowledge in all sorts of areas from behaviour to parasitic diseases, and I have enjoyed every minute. I began this course with the sole purpose of continuing to do Veterinary Medicine at Edinburgh. Although this was a necessary path to take, I have thoroughly enjoyed the course further fuelling my high ambitions of becoming a vet, especially at Edinburgh.and remain determined to achieve my final goal.
Once started at Edinburgh I continued work experience periodically to maintain my experience in anticipation of applying for my Veterinary course in 2006. During my degree I have done more lambing and also shadowed the vets at Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, which studies animal health and disease. This was a unique opportunity to experience the world of animal research and be reassured about the way animals are used in these studies.
	I graduated in June 2006 as BSc (Hons) Zoology with a II-I classfication, securing a place at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh. One of the gifts I received when I graduated was a signed copy of The Life of Mammals by David Attenborough, who wished me all the best in my ambition to be a vet.

Summary of Education and Work Experience:

Secondary Schools attended:

Marden High School, Hartington Road Cullercoats; 9/95 to 7/00
The King's School, Huntington Place, Tynemouth; 9/00 to 7/02

Qualifications Completed:

GCSE's (2000)

Mathematics A
English language A
English Literature A
Science Double Award A, A
History A
French A
Music A*
Resistant Materials A*

A-Levels (2002)

Mathematics A
Chemistry B
Physics B
Music B
Biology A (2003)

BSc (Hons) Zoology

at Edinburgh University (2003-2006). II-I Classification.

Work Experience:

1999-2004: Oxfam, North Shields, Volunteer every Saturday as a shop assistant
May 1999: 2 weeks at 'Paws for Thought' Pet shop and grooming parlour
Summer 1999: 3 days in a small-animal practice, Blyth
2000-2004: Benridge Riding Centre, Morpeth, assisting with lessons and caring for the horses.
Aug/Sept 2002: 2 weeks at Burnopfield Reptile Trust
Sept 2002: 3 weeks at Robson and Prescott Mixed Veterinary Centre
Oct 2002: 2 weeks at Blythman and Partners Veterinary Practice
March 2003: 2 weeks lambing at Angerton Steads Farm, Hartburn
Summer 2003: Sales assistant in Roy's Bakery, Front Street, Tynemouth
March 2004: 1 week lambing at Burnt House Farm, Stannington
July 2004: 2 weeks shadowing vets at Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh
Summer 2004: Librarian Assistant, Wallsend Library, Tyne and wear.

Feb 2005-Present: Optical assistant at Boots opticians, Edinburgh

Other Experience:

Attended Vetsix (2001) and Vetsim (July 2002) held at Nottingham University
Completed 1 year lip reading course, Marden High School Evening Class (2003)
Completed Marine Biology Course, at the Dove Marine Laboratory, Cullercoats (2003)

Other Qualifications

CLAIT, Stage 1, (2001)
British Sign Language, Stage 1 (1998)
St John's Ambulance 3 Cross Award (1995)
First Aid (1998)
Proteus, Foundation Course in Herpetology, (reptile Care Level 2) (Jan 2003)

ABRSM, Grade 3 Recorder (1994)
ABRSM, Grade 5 Theory of Music (1998)
ABRSM, Grade 5 Piano (2000)
ABRSM, Grade 6 Flute (2000)