I am proud to say that 20 years later than I originally planned, in July 2022, I finally realised my long-held ambition and qualified as a veterinary surgeon via a somewhat unconventional path! Unsuccessful in my application to vet school in 1997, undeterred, I studied for a degree in biochemistry and a master of research degree and then spent four years in pharmaceutical research. 

I was enjoying my scientific career so much that, subconsciously, I steered away from the veterinary path. I subsequently studied for a PhD in the field of human osteoarthritis and spent several years working with academics to commercialise life sciences research from UK universities. 

Little did I know that a random throwaway comment of ‘I would have loved to have been a vet’ while walking on holiday and reflecting on life (aka a midlife crisis) would reignite my passion for veterinary medicine and lead me to fulfil this ambition.

While applying to vet school, I took a year-long post as a programme manager in the animal welfare team with the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), which further reinforced my ambition to retrain as a vet. 

Although, of course, there have been peaks and troughs through my long journey and despite the time it has taken me to get there, I wouldn’t change it for the world. This is in no small part thanks to the great people I have met along the way and the opportunities I have been afforded, including the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) student grant scheme. I now embark on my veterinary career equipped with ambition and determination to develop into the best vet I can be and to use my skills in research to advance evidence-based veterinary medicine. 

Grant 

The AWF is the BVA’s charity. Independent and non-campaigning, AWF funds a wide range of cross-species research and hosts debates on key animal welfare issues. I applied to the AWF student grant scheme during the second year of my veterinary degree, having observed first hand, while on summer placements in my first year, the practice of needle reuse on farms. Given my background in human clinical research, I was surprised to see needles being reused so frequently on farms.

'I was surprised to see needles being reused so frequently on farms'

On searching the literature and speaking with my university lecturers, I found that, despite iron injection of piglets being a common procedure, there was little published information on the protocols that pig farmers follow and the subsequent welfare impacts. 

I was actively looking for a funding opportunity to pursue this area of interest as a summer research project when I received the BVA’s monthly newsletter highlighting that students could apply for an AWF grant. I applied straight away. My project involved devising a short questionnaire for pig farmers, the results of which were used to inform a laboratory study to assess how repeated use of a needle affects the force required to push the needle through piglet skin.

What started out as a summer research project progressed to form my final-year research project, which involved an eight-week study and write up. I subsequently published my research in Veterinary Sciences (summarised in the box below). 

I was asked to present my work at the 2021 AWF Discussion Forum as well as at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) NC3Rs mini symposium in July 2022, for which, to my delight, I won the poster prize. 

I hope that my study raises awareness of the need to change needles frequently and certainly within three litters or fewer, to mitigate against the potential to cause pain and stress. 

The study should not be viewed as providing data to support the reuse of needles, but rather it demonstrates that needles become blunt and damaged with repeated use. This finding can be extrapolated to all species. 

Supporting best practice

This project has enabled me to develop my research skills, broadened my contacts within the farming sector and provided me with a hands-on appreciation of the challenges facing animal welfare in farming. My goal is that ultimately my research will contribute to providing scientific evidence to support best practice in the farming sector. 

Although I am planning on going into small animal practice, I still intend to continue my research into needle use with my RVC supervisors and perhaps co-supervise a project in the future – once I have got my feet on the ground that is! I am also keen to identify areas of clinical practice that require further research. I wouldn’t hesitate to apply for other grants as I would ultimately like to have a career that combines clinical practice and research in the longer term. The experience of writing a grant application and managing a project from start to finish has been invaluable. 

'I hope that my study raises awareness of the need to change needles frequently'

My advice to future applicants is to go for it! Don’t worry if you don’t have a fully-fledged idea or have little research experience. Identify a suitable mentor/supervisor within your university who can help guide you in your research. The AWF student grant application process is straightforward and it is exciting to be able to pursue an area of research and make a difference in an area that you are passionate about. 

I hope my story inspires others in that, if you want something enough, you will find a way to achieve it!