A Q&A with Luke Gamble on the day-to-day life of a veterinary surgeon and what it's like dealing with grumpy leopards and constipated sloths.
1. What is your occupation and for how long have you been doing it?
I've been a veterinary surgeon for 11 years and CEO of Worldwide Veterinary Services (WVS) for 8 years.
2. What does your job involve from day-to-day?
I spend most of my time at my veterinary practice on the edge of the New Forest, which cares for both domestic animals and livestock from the local farming community. I also run a veterinary emergency service and a company called PetAir that transports animals all over the world. I run WVS on a voluntary basis with a small dedicated team. We support animal charities and non-profit organisations across the globe with free veterinary medicines, supplies and advice. Last year we sent 53 veterinary teams who treated over 14,500 animals. We sent veterinary supplies totaling over £380,000 and supported 220 different charities in need.
3. When did you first become interested in working with wildlife?
I have wanted to be a vet since I can remember; I loved animals as a child and career choice was always very easy for me, I never looked back or had any doubts about what I wanted to do.
4. What qualifications/training do you need to work in your role?
A degree in veterinary medicine and confidence in working with a wide variety of species.
5. Are there any other skills that are essential for doing this job?
I think you have to be up for adventure and not be afraid of challenge or being a little bit out of your comfort zone – probably the most exciting place to be in any job though.
6. What is the best way to gain experience in this area of work?
Go on a WVS trip with the charity! We send out vet and non-vet volunteers to animal welfare charities all over the world. You can have an amazing and rewarding experience whilst helping the animals and communities where the charities are based.
7. Could you provide a list of the types of animals you work with?
Grumpy leopards, curious monkeys, gentle manatees, three legged elephants, big hawks, scary gorillas, stroppy buffaloes, rabid dogs, agile cats, lacerated horses, swamp stuck donkeys, overloaded mules, aggressive yaks, horny cows, talkative parrots, sweet baby anteaters, constipated sloths and quite a few other species as well!
8. How demanding is your job? Does it involve early starts? Is it physically demanding? Is it mentally challenging?
I love being a vet, it is a passion and sometimes the best and most rewarding cases to be involved with are at strange times of the day. On the charity trips I am on call 24/7 but at home in my practices, I am in the lucky position to be back-up to my team and am no longer on the first call rota because I am away so much
9. What do you enjoy most about your job?
I relish new challenges and the unpredictability of each day. I love working with the animals as well as the inspirational people I meet who run amazing animal charities and non-profit organisations around the world – often at great personal sacrifice to themselves.
10. What are the most common problems/challenges you encounter?
Working with wild animals is tricky as you often need to anaethetise them and have to improvise anaesthetics in less than ideal circumastances. If you give them too much it could be dangerous for the animal and too little it could be dangerous for you! I always want to do my very best for each animal I treat. The other big challenge is when I am faced with a really difficult operation that an animal needs, but I have no facilities in which to do it – no running water or electricity. Then it gets tough but more often than not, the community with which I am working, pull together and we end up with an improvised but perfectly functional outdoor operating theatre!
11. What would you advise someone interested in working in your role?
Do it – it is a fantastic vocation.
12. Is there anything else you wish to add?
www.wvs.org.uk - please support us, join us and go on a trip!
