Nurse Kelly Clayden was drawn to emergency medicine for the challenges it presents – a variety of complex cases and being able to help much-loved family pets who are in critical condition.
Since working for us, Kelly has seen many patients, all who hold a special place in her heart. One patient, in particular, a pup called Margaret is hard to forget. Margaret had eaten a skewer and was rushed into our hospital one night. The skewer had bounced around her abdomen and had caused significant damage. “She was in hospital for weeks and was such a sweet girl so it was easy to fall in love with her. And her owners were so lovely and committed”, Kelly remembers fondly. After a long period of time in hospital, Margaret recovered well and was able to go home to her family.
Kelly’s advice for anyone looking at working in the veterinary industry is, “if you are passionate about it and love your patients, keep hold of that and always come back to it when it gets tough”, she says.
Outside of being a veterinary nurse, Kelly also practices and teaches yoga and pilates, as well as being a massage therapist, and can be found walking her pooch Bodhi along the beach almost everyday.