Peter - Veterinary Officer
Name: Peter
Job title: Veterinary Officer
Job location: Animal Welfare Branch, Sydney
Describe your typical day
A typical day may involve inspecting and auditing an accredited animal research establishment, looking at housing facilities, inspecting animals and the health and husbandry records kept for them, and meeting with researchers and the Animal Ethics Committee that approves and monitors animal research conducted in the establishment.
A typical day may also involve inspecting a licensed zoo or fauna park, assessing exhibits for compliance with industry standards, examining animals and their health records, inspecting the off-exhibit areas behind the scenes, and meeting with keepers, managers and vets involved with the care of the animals. Animal Welfare Branch inspectors also assess mobile operators who present animal exhibits in schools and pre-schools.
A less pleasant typical day can include investigating complaints under animal research or exhibited animals legislation, executing a search warrant to collect evidence, interviewing defendants and witnesses, assisting with the seizure and removal of animals whose welfare is at risk and appearing as a witness for the prosecution in court proceedings.
Some Animal Welfare Branch vets also have responsibilities on District Emergency Management Committees and in the event of an Emergency Animal Disease. During a bushfire, flood or other emergency a typical day can involve coordinating the evacuation and care of livestock and domestic pets, assisting with the rescue of injured wildlife, ensuring that animals are returned to their correct owners at the end of the emergency and coordinating the humane destruction of animals that are badly injured. During a disease outbreak, a typical day can involve producing daily situation reports and planning the strategies needed to help the on-farm and investigations teams keep ahead of the disease to ensure that it is controlled and eradicated as soon as possible.
What attracted you to this profession?
I have always been interested in animals of all types, including the invertebrate ones. When I was involved with laboratory work I became aware of the ethical issues associated with the use of animals in scientific research.
How did you get started?
Initially I worked as a field veterinary officer for the NSW Department of Agriculture, coordinating the testing of cattle under the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign (BTEC). I was based in Bourke in north-western NSW and worked in the area from Brewarrina to Broken Hill and Tibooburra. My job also involved investigating disease outbreaks in flocks and herds, examining and treating sick animals, conducting post-mortem examinations and submitting samples to our regional diagnostic laboratory. After working for a short while in the quarantine service and on the registration of animal medicines, I became a scientist in a research and diagnostic laboratory. I completed a postgraduate research project on itch mite (an external parasite of sheep) and went on to research the behaviour of insecticides used for the control of sheep lice and the survival of parasites in recycled sewage sludge.
What initial training did you do?
I graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree and was later awarded a PhD from the University of Sydney.
Is there an ongoing need to update your skills?
Vets need to keep abreast of new knowledge in their chosen field just as all other professional people do, regardless of their field of interest or whether their work is based on science and technology or the humanities.
What keeps you motivated?
The hope that applying my knowledge and doing the job as best I can will make a difference for the animals.
Who do you work with to do your job?
I work with other departmental inspectors and regulatory officers, livestock officers, scientists, technicians and members of animal ethics committees in research establishments, zoo and fauna park managers and keepers, RSPCA officers and private veterinarians.
What is the most interesting thing you have done, discovered or seen in your job?
Going behind the scenes to see the operations and logistics necessary to run a zoo or fauna park is really interesting. Hearing about new areas of research is also fascinating - sometimes when I hear stories on the ABC Science Show, on Catalyst or in the news, I can say 'I've met that scientist and heard about this first hand' - that's pretty cool.
How does your work benefit people and/or the environment?
My job involves ensuring that guidelines and the nationally recognised Australian Code of Practice are being implemented to maintain the welfare of animals used in scientific research and that the relevant animal welfare and educational standards are correctly applied in zoos and fauna parks. I also work on housing and husbandry guidelines for laboratory animals and have an input on developing policies that are implemented by Industry & Investment NSW.
What advice do you have for students still at school?
Education is your opportunity for empowerment. Make the most of the opportunity - there are many in this world who may never receive it. Pick some subjects that you are interested in and that you can be passionate about - include some that will challenge you. Utilise your teachers, mentors and parents who are there to guide you and help you learn. Do your best. Regardless of whether or not you have a clear idea now of how you want to earn your living, education will continue to enrich your whole life and give you choices, regardless of the path you eventually follow.