Here at Hollybank Vets we offer one week placements for people to gain experience working in a veterinary environment. This is the best way to confirm pursuing a veterinary career is right for you, or even finding out it really isn’t!
In order to apply for one of our available weeks we ask you to meet the following criteria:
Be 16 years or older at the time of placement
Be interested in working in the veterinary field
Be able to attend for a one week block (option of dates given)
Whilst seeing practice with us you will be able to see the different roles within the team and what we get up to behind the scenes. Placements are spent shadowing the veterinary nurses and you will also get to see what the veterinary surgeons and receptionists get up to.
During your placement with us you will see consultations, operations, ultrasound scans, care for hospitalised patients and how we keep the practice hygienic for patients, staff and our clients.
If you meet the criteria and would be interested in carrying out a placement with us, or know someone that would be, please contact Alicia one of our
veterinary nurses for an application form (alicia@hollybankvets.co.uk).
Read on to hear from some of our previous work experience students who have gone on to study veterinary medicine………
I first started work experience at Hollybank Vets in 2010, not long after it opened. At the time I was unsure about what I wanted to do as a career; spending time with the amazing team and clients confirmed my decision that I wanted to be a vet.
My average day at Hollybank would start with discussing the inpatients and their care for the day, followed by morning consults. I would then observe surgeries and diagnostic tests such as ultrasounds and radiographs. After helping to clean up after the day’s surgery, I would then observe further consults and get to meet clients and their animals.
Surgeries were daunting at first; I remember standing with my back to the operating theatre wall just in case I fainted. I soon realised I wasn’t squeamish and found surgery very interesting, asking many questions not just about the surgery itself but the anaesthetic and after care that would go with the procedure. My favourite part of the working day was watching consults, a big part of which was speaking to clients about their animals.
Being a part of the team was amazing and with time and repeated placements my understanding of the veterinary profession grew. I’m not sure if it was my knowledge and skills that meant Richard kept allowing me to come back, or the rocky road I would make for him and the staff.
After plenty of placements at Hollybank I started at the University of Nottingham in 2014 where the hard work continued and along with all the exams, I also had to complete more work placements. This gave the perfect excuse to come back to see Richard and the team, and I even got to catch up with some of the clients I met along the way which was very rewarding. After 5 years of vet school I am now a fully qualified vet and have started my first job at a small animal practice near where I attended university. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the inspiring team at Hollybank who gave me the opportunity to start my career in veterinary medicine 10 years ago.
Dr Reece Parry BVM BVS BVMedSci MRCVS
I started doing work experience at Hollybank having heard about the opportunity from (many) visits here with my dog! After sending in my CV and attending a friendly interview I was booked in for a summer placement. I enjoyed my week’s placement so much that I asked for more and I ended up seeing work experience here most Thursdays after school for 2-3 years as well as during my holidays! Everyone at Hollybank was so friendly and eager to help me that I learned a great deal and saw a range of animals and treatments that I wouldn’t have otherwise seen, as well as getting to help around the surgery whenever I could. I always enjoyed watching surgeries and consults; the latter really helped with my confidence and communication skills. During my application to vet school the vets read over my personal statements and did practice interviews with me, whilst all the staff gave me lots of support and encouragement throughout. When I got my acceptance letter Hollybank seemed just as excited (and relieved) as me!
I am now in my 4th year at Liverpool Vet School and still see placements at Hollybank at every opportunity as I work towards my degree because it is one of my favourite places to visit. The staff give me more responsibilities and skill development opportunities each time and it is such a friendly environment. I have also developed some great baking skills during my time here, as they love “thank you” cake at Hollybank!
Charlotte Knight
