The Value of Vet Nurses

There are certain people who I value above others in my career as a vet, and the vet nurses that I have worked with, laughed with, cried with, and listened to over the years all hold such an important place in my heart.

The very first vet nurses I met were instrumental in teaching me the basics of veterinary as I stepped into the world of surgery and applying all the knowledge that I had learnt at vet school. I started my vet career with my husband in a remote practice in Zimbabwe where we were the only vets for miles as this area so badly needed a vet….but we had also just stepped out of vet school in South Africa and we both felt very insecure with any decisions we made not having our trusty lecturers nearby to help us.

It was the kindness of our 3 nurses Johnny, Neil and Carlos who were instrumental in gently guiding us when we felt overwhelmed – quietly pointing at the correct area to make incisions for operations as basic as a cat spay, as they had worked with a number of vets before! So tragically, Neil died of Aids a few years after we left Zimbabwe (we were only there for 3 months before moving to the UK), but I will never forget all 3 of them and how instrumental they were in their support in those early years of my vet career.

When we moved to the UK in the early 90’s, it was yet again, the wonderful vet nurses that I worked with who were there to guide me and support me with their kindness as I found my feet in a completely new country with different ways of working and thinking. I quickly realised that their friendships and knowledge and above all care for the animals was definitely the way I wished to work. To all vet nurses out there on behalf of all of us vets; I just say a huge thank you for all you do – I don’t know where we’d be without you!

Now that my veterinary career has taken a completely different turn as I work to promote plant-based feeding of our dogs; it is yet again the vet nurses that I find myself turning to….even more than the vets. They are the ones that vets rely on to provide that extra support with puppy classes, weight clinics and nutrition advice. Sadly, the very large corporate pet food companies realise this and they offer huge incentives for vet nurses to become their ‘reps’ and they get paid to promote their prescription diets.

I am doing my small part in reaching out to vet nurses with the tiny bit of advertising that I have in my budget; by appearing in January’s Vet Times Veterinary Nurse 2023 calendar!

Arielle Griffiths and Dogs Go Plant-Based in Vet Times Vet Nurse Calendar

I was so excited when one of my dearest friends and a vet nurse; sent me the photo of her calendar that she had just received. Hopefully by other vet nurses seeing this at the start of their year, it will allow them to do their own research and follow it up.

The successes of dogs with so many conditions (or none at all:) on a 100% plant-based diet never ceases to amaze me and I am so hoping that vet nurses can help guide the vets as they gain this knowledge!

Read success stories here of dogs transitioning to plant-based diets and how it transformed their lives

If you are a vet nurse wanting one hour of fascinating CPD, then click here

“As a vet, I believe in a kinder, healthier way to feed our pets that does no damage to our environment, harms no animals and uses fresh, healthy plant-based ingredients for a balanced and delicious diet”

Arielle Vegan Vet