International Day of Women and Girls in Science is taking place on 11th February to celebrate the contribution and achievements of women and girls in science, while supporting opportunities for women and girls to participate in STEM fields.
This International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we are highlighting the diverse roles women have within science and the veterinary field within WVS. We are shining a spotlight on some of our team who are working around the world to create a brighter future for animals and their communities.
Keep reading to hear from some of the amazing women at WVS and Mission Rabies.
What inspired you to pursue your career within the field of veterinary science?
“The possibility of helping, healing and alleviating through medicine has always seemed wonderful to me. I had a dog when I was 5 years old, and we lived together for 18 years. He taught me a lot and guided me to fight for and care for others.” Erika, Lead Surgeon South America
“From a young age, I was captivated by animals and always felt a strong urge to help them in any way I could. When I discovered what a veterinarian does, I knew immediately that it was the path I wanted to follow.” Anahita, Taskforce Vet and Lead Clinic Vet Goa
“Whenever we had to bring my rabbit to the vet, I helped in the consult room and my dream back then was to be a vet myself!” Dagmar, Director of Malawian Operations
“During my travels the plight of free-roaming dogs and their complicated relationship with people weighed on my mind. It was in Central Africa that I made the decision to dedicate my career to improving international dog welfare.” Fran, International Project Manager
What does your job involve doing at WVS?
“My main focus is on the Rabies Control projects in South East Asia. I work with governments to provide technical advice on mass dog rabies vaccination, surveillance and advising on rabies control policy making.” Amy, International Project Manager
“I am the clinical operations manager for WVS Malawi. First and foremost, I am a nurse and I often work days and nights treating and caring for our many patients. Along with our head vet, I oversee and manage day to day running of our busy clinic and shelter.” Courtnie, Clinical Operations Manager Malawi
“My current position involves developing training programmes and protocols to improve animal welfare standards in mass vaccination programmes and sterilisation clinics.” Julie, Director of Animal Welfare at Mission Rabies India
“I look after the Taskforce nursing programme we run, support our International Training Centres with anything nursing related and help with international projects within the wider Taskforce team.” Hannah, International Nursing Taskforce Manager
What does a typical day look like for you?
“My day typically begins at the Hicks ITC clinic, where I assess and treat incoming cases. I then oversee the ongoing care of rescued animals in the kennels. After lunch, I focus on planning and managing various outreach projects and fulfilling my duties with the Taskforce team.” Anahita, Taskforce Vet and Lead Clinic Vet Goa
“Every day is different, and I never know what’s happening the next hour... but I usually meet the clinic and Mission Rabies staff in the mornings and check that everything is ok. I try to have regular clinic days where I perform surgeries or teach our recently graduated Malawian vet's surgical techniques or discuss cases we see at the clinic.” Dagmar, Director of Malawian Operations
“A typical day could consist of meetings online and in person, attending rescues, catching dogs for vaccination or sterilisation, planning a mass vaccination campaign, assisting with a sterilisation outreach project, producing training materials, writing reports, planning and conducting workshops.” Julie, Director of Animal Welfare at Mission Rabies India
What made you want to work for an animal charity?
“I went on volunteer trips with WVS to India, South Africa and Botswana and immediately got ‘hooked’. For several years I went on as many volunteering trips as possible as I realised that it’s a very rewarding part of working as a vet, to be able to provide veterinary services to animals in areas where they would very likely not ever be treated in their lifetime.” Dagmar, Director of Malawian Operations
“Joining WVS has allowed me to align my professional skills with my passion for animal welfare, and I can confidently say I have found my true purpose in this field.” Anahita, Taskforce Vet and Lead Clinic Vet Goa
“Being able to work doing what you love is a great privilege. But if, in addition, you can do that work and make the world a better place by helping those in need, you are very fortunate. I had that incredible opportunity, and I took it.” Erika, Lead Surgeon South America
“I love the impact that we can have on a larger scale than what is possible in general veterinary practice. Our reach is beyond just the people and parcels we can send out to places which need it, our Academy resources are a huge help to so many more veterinary individuals and charities too.” Amy, International Project Manager
What do you find the most rewarding part of your job?
“Rabies is a preventable tragedy that disproportionately affects vulnerable people and animals. I am comforted knowing that our work provides a greater understanding of the disease, creates a safer dog population and reduces the risk of rabies to precious human life.” Fran, International Project Manager
“This role balances my love for veterinary nursing with travel and has allowed me the joy of witnessing our teams across the world making a direct positive impact on the communities, vets and animals who need our support.” Hannah, International Nursing Taskforce Manager
“Helping to improve animal welfare in a country where it is still very poor. Little differences everyday - showing neglected animals love and care that they haven’t experienced before, teaching clients and the public how they can be kinder to animals.” Courtnie, Clinical Operations Manager Malawi
“Knowing that not only are we saving lives (both human and animal) through mass dog vaccination, but we are also changing attitudes and perceptions towards free-roaming dogs across India.” Julie, Director of Animal Welfare at Mission Rabies India
What have been the highlights of your career at WVS?
“My recent highlight was being part of organising and running my first ever large-scale treatment programme alongside the Cambodia Mission Rabies drive where we were able to provide free veterinary care for 655 animals in just 2 weeks.” Hannah, International Nursing Taskforce Manager
“Any wildlife work has always been a bonus for me, and I still pinch myself when I get to assist with pangolins, lions, cheetah and even giraffes!!” Courtnie, Clinical Operations Manager Malawi
“The growth I have experienced with WVS has been exponential, from creating a charity clinic in the Galapagos Islands, training veterinary medicine students both locally and internationally, to establishing a comprehensive humane population control program for dogs and cats in the Ecuadorian Andes.” Erika, Lead Surgeon South America
“Running the largest canine rabies vaccination project in South East Asia, we vaccinated over 229k dogs in just 2 weeks with over 800 people from 30 different countries!” Amy, International Project Manager
Inspire a young animal lover
Do you know a young animal lover who is interested in the veterinary field? Check out our Young Vets Club membership where we are inspiring children with stories from our teams around the world, teaching them about animal welfare, providing fun activities and lots more. We even have some helpful tips about getting into the veterinary profession.