Page 12 - Chiron Calling Autumn 2019

10 CHIRON CALLING
Interview with Lt Karen Pettit – A New Addition to the Corps
Where are you from and where did you study veterinary medicine?
I am from Waterford, a county on Ireland’s south east coast. The home of The Crystal and The Blaa for the glassware enthusiasts and bread connoisseurs amongst us. After spending my primary school days thoroughly fascinated with dinosaurs, my subsequent secondary level education was then left vying for attention against an insatiable desire to spend all my time and funds on equine interests. Broke (if you understand the meaning while still closely affiliated with the Bank of Mam and Dad) and very nearly friendless, I moved to Dublin in 2011 to start a five year degree in veterinary medicine and indulge my habits further. I loved every moment studying at UCD (University College Dublin) – except maybe the occasional 8am parasitology lecture- especially if the goods and services of Temple Bar had been closely inspected the night before. Nonetheless, I graduated in June of 2016 and moved to the UK at the end of the summer to start work.
Have you always wanted to be a vet?
Yes, quite simply. From the time I could crawl it was inevitably in pursuit of something with four legs and a tail. My father comes from an agricultural background and works for the state agency responsible for providing research and education in the agri-food sector as well as rural development in Ireland. This shaped my upbringing with my favourite part of each summer as a child centred around visiting our grandparents’ farm – examining the suckler calves with each generation of “Rex” the farm dog.
What made you decide to be a vet in the army?
After graduating I undertook a surgical internship in orthopaedics at a new referral hospital in Manchester, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I subsequently decided to go back and ground myself in general practice. I moved to Devon and worked between a vet hospital and smaller satellite branches just south of Exeter. I loved working as a civilian vet but after a few too many consults suggesting we might possibly try changing from a raw food diet to resolve the new puppy’s chronic diarrhoea (utterly flying in the face of the gospel according to Breeder X as the case may be); or repeating the same old adage that maybe losing the extra half dog Millie is carrying around could be the cornerstone to her OA management, I was beginning to question how much I was contributing to the profession. After speaking to a number of other professionally qualified officers and fast forward to a familiarisation visit at 1MWD Regiment, I was confident I was ready to make a move out of private practice.
How did you find your time at RMAS?
I really enjoyed my time at Sandhurst.
Interviewed by Major Caz Bates
Mine was one of the first combined modular CCS (commissioning course short) courses which now aims to provide for reservists, PQOs, OTC, Gap Year entries and international students all within the same intake. There were a couple of teething issues as it transpired I was the only regular PQO on the course which caused some confusion at times. However in many ways it was great to have such a varied demographic and range of experience. Initially I also found I was naive to much of the history held by the academy’s buildings and monuments. Uncovering this little by little added to the gravitas of the experience as you begin to realise who has walked the grounds before you.
Briefly, what have you done since?
Since passing out in July, I have been based at the Defence Animal Training Regiment. I now have a few months before I can complete my Phase 2 training in Lichfield in the new year and move to 1MWD Regiment as a troop commander. I have the opportunity in the meantime to acclimatise to military life and military veterinary idiosyncrasies (all activities are accompanied by a form. If you have not completed a form - stop, back-track, locate and fill. Immediately.) I have also been lucky enough to fit in some clinical placement, especially in equine
given my experience so far has been in companion animal practice. Over the coming weeks I will be off touring
London District as well as visiting the Horse Trust. I am particularly looking forward to my basic dog handler course as well.
What do you like about your job?
I’ve never looked back since deciding to make the change from private practice. I enjoy the variety each day brings working between canine and equine and equine cases. I am particularly grateful for the treatment and management compliance army veterinary work brings. If a patient needs daily ear cleaning, you can rest assured it’ll be done, which was always a bugbear in civilian practice. Similarly a major draw for me is the support and opportunity for continued progression and development in your career and also the opportunity to be facilitator of same for others.
And away from work?
I like to get outside. I’ve grown up with plenty of nearby greenery and beaches and always find it restorative to get away from the clamour of day to day living. I’ve always found a good active holiday is food for the soul, whether this be an alpine mountaineering trip, getting in a few wild swims on a visit to the Highlands or some warm weather training in the Canaries. Being pushed out of your comfort zone
leaves you feeling you’ve genuinely achieved something with your time off. Plus, the pizza and ice-cream(s) are categorically and unquestionably
justified!