BSAVA Companion - 2011, Student Companion, December

Membership, must-have manuals, and more.

As one of Britain’s largest membership organisations for vets and VNs, the BSAVA plays a key role in training, developing and supporting the veterinary profession. We exist to promote excellence in small animal practice through education and science.

A glimpse into the lives of qualified vets with various kinds of experience of the profession, beginning with a longer interview with Grant Petrie. Grant is a double certificate holder, has been a faculty member at the RVC and works in general practice offering a second opinion/referral service. Grant has been a BSAVA volunteer in a variety of roles and became President in 2010.

With more than 300 lectures, over 250 exhibitors, and 8000 attendees - bring your stamina and we’ll take care of everything else.

The Veterinary Defence Society has some excellent advice for new graduates, highlighting the common clinical and communication pitfalls that await an unwary professional embarking on the enjoyable, fulfilling but sometimes rollercoaster ride that is general practice.

It is entirely natural to look forward to graduating, to the chance to begin work as a qualified vet, to having a bit more money and to the end of the stresses of studying and exams. You will have an enviable breadth of knowledge but you won’t have had the opportunity to underpin this with practical experience. So, without even realising it, you will move seamlessly from learning at university to learning ‘on the job’.

Jerry Davies was inspired to become a vet by an uncle in the profession and a constant stream of rescue animals that found their way into the family home. Jerry graduated from the RVC in 1974 and established Davies Veterinary Specialists in 1998. Jerry received the BSAVA Simon award in 2004 and in 2011 was elected as RCVS President.

Visit bsava.com to find out details of your local region and student representative.