Jessica, is aVeterinary Nurse from Australia has a passion for animal nutrition.
Jessica, is aVeterinary Nurse from Australia who has a passion for animal nutrition! As a Veterinary Nurse, she conduct a range of other tasks to support the Veterinarians, such as surgical assistance and anesthetics, consulting, delivering and dispensing medical treatments as well as providing quality nutritional advice, and nutritional treatments and management of disease states.
She has recently extended her advice to a blog, for both pet parents and other nurses to find quality advice online.
Feel free to visit her website HERE for more detail information about all things pets and if you have any questions about anything pets feel free to reach out to her HERE.
Why did you want to become a registered & Accredited Veterinary Nurse?
In Australia, there is currently no law that defines the term 'veterinary nurse' so people who lack basic qualifications can call themselves a veterinary nurse and practice on animals without any education or standards. For me, it's important to promote and support the role of veterinary nurse as a highly competent and qualified individual who upholds minimum standards and protects patient safety by becoming Registered. I became Accredited to further show my commitment to ongoing education and improvement of the industry. You can learn more about the AVNAT Registration scheme and VNCA here: https://www.vnca.asn.au/avnat/
What is the most rewarding thing about your job?
As nutrition is my passion, I love hearing client feedback on how their pet is so much happier and healthier on the food that we've prescribed. Seeing a patient eat in hospital, seeing them go home with a tail wag, that's what's most rewarding for me.
What is the most challenging thing about your job?
I personally find dealing with client abuse - it does happen. It's challenging and upsetting to try and maintain a level of professionalism when you're being called every name under the sun for something minor like, we couldn't fit them in today, or we asked for payment after a hospital stay.
When has your love for animals began?
I always have had pets at home, so I've loved animals for as long as I can remember. Though, I think that I decided to go into this industry when I was around 12 years old - my cat was hospitalized due to a urinary blockage and the way he was cared for, and later treated with diet, was what really inspired me to learn more and help treat animals.
Are trendy pet foods like Taste of the Wild or Blue any better than the classics?
Controversial! But I'll be honest, no. The best food is a food that's formulated for your pet's life stage, their health status, activity levels and specific needs, and is from a reputable, science based company. It's not very 'cool' or 'trendy' but I really do recommend pet parents should seek the opinion of their veterinary team before switching to a diet that's follows trends, rather than science, to avoid detrimental effects of improper diets.
How much does exercise improve the health of your pet?
It definitely plays a part! Depending on their breed and age, exercise can be a big benefit to their health - working breeds need a lot of exercise, both for their mental and physical health, whereas breeds that are more prone to weight gain like pugs or labradors, should get regular gentle exercise to prevent the development of medical conditions associated with excess weight such as heart disease or diabetes.
How often does your dog need to be groomed?
This totally depends on the type of dog. Long haired breeds might need a professional groom every 3-4 weeks to prevent matting, whereas shorthaired breeds may just need regular bathing (every 4 weeks or as needed) to maintain their skin barrier. Your vet can advise on how often you should groom or bathe your pet, as some animals may need more or less frequent grooming.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to play video games, watch anime, read, journal, or blog!
What are your hobbies?
Writing and blogging is my newest hobby! I also enjoy playing violin.
Do you have any pets?
I have two Burmese cats, brothers Yin and Yang!
Jessica, BAnVetBioSci (Zoology), RVN, AVN Registered & Accredited Veterinary Nurse who studied animal nutrition throughout my Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Biosciences at La Trobe University. She currently working towards Veterinary Technician Specialist status in Nutrition.
