1.What inspired you to choose a career in Veterinary medicine?

Veterinary medicine always appealed to my love of science and passion for animals. I love that as a vet, every day is different and there is always a new problem to solve.

2. What are your favourite animals to work with and why?

I love the easy-going nature of dogs, but I like the challenge of working with cats. They are mysterious creatures that require a certain finesse to handle and interpret.

 3. What has been the most challenging moment of your career thus far?

Being a vet means being met with a lot of difficult ethical decisions. Not only do you have a duty to the animal, but also to the client, to your veterinary clinic and to the profession as a whole. Sometimes the interests of these different groups can conflict. As vets we are trained to come up with medical solutions, but ethical dilemmas can be even more complicated. This has definitely been a challenge for me but one that I am learning to navigate.

4. What has been the most rewarding moment?

The most rewarding moments for me in my short career have been receiving positive feedback from owners about how I have managed their pet’s case. Usually it’s not about “curing” a disease or coming up with a tricky diagnosis, but simply taking the time to explain things properly and being genuinely concerned for the welfare of their pet.

5. What is the single best lesson that being a Veterinarian has taught you?

That it is a privilege, as well as a huge responsibility, to care for people’s pets. Being a vet is so much more than working with animals. It is about earning the trust of clients (pet owners) and helping to strengthen the bond they have with their pet. To be a part of, and to prolong and nurture that bond, is something really special. I feel so lucky to be part of the veterinary profession and to have the ability to make a difference in people’s lives every day.

Elizabeth Rowland’s Bio

Elizabeth recently graduated Veterinary Science with First Class Honours from the University of Queensland. Her first career was in law, where she worked as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer at a large corporate law firm. She is particularly passionate about small animal medicine, reproduction and welfare. Though she loves all animals, she has a soft spot for cats. In her free time she enjoys a good historic fiction novel, paddleboarding and trying out new recipes and restaurants.