Veterinary surgeon — Dr Alex Crow 

Alex completed his veterinary medicine degree at the Royal Veterinary College in London. He is now a locum vet at Buttercross Veterinary Centre, while also serving as the chief veterinary officer for The Net Vet, an online veterinary telemedicine service 

How did you get your job? 

I worked as a student for about three years while in vet school at Buttercross vets. I was then offered a job once I'd graduated.Ìý

What's a typical working day like? 

As a veterinarian it's a blend of routine check-ups, vaccinations, and unexpected emergencies. The day often starts with wellness exams, where building relationships with pet owners and spotting early signs of illness is key. But things can change in an instant, with emergencies like a dog hit by a car or a cat with breathing trouble demanding quick decisions and urgent care. Depending on the day, I might have a list of surgery procedures to get through too.Ìý

Between consultations and procedures, there might be a balance of juggling lab results, phone calls, and putting up medication for patients. It's unpredictable and emotionally charged, but rewarding to make a meaningful impact on the lives of animals and their families.Ìý

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

I enjoy the mental challenge of trying to work out what is wrong with an animal without them being able to tell me - it's really stimulating and makes no two cases the same.Ìý 

What are the challenges? 

The main challenge is juggling multiple cases and patients at once and trying to do the best job I can for everyone. And of course, the emotional load the job can put you under, especially when putting animals to sleep, is very challenging and something you never get used to.Ìý 

How has your role developed and what are your career ambitions? 

My role has developed a lot. I started as a full-time vet and now I work mainly as a veterinarian and adviser for an online telemedicine platform called The Net Vet.Ìý 

I locum for vet practices to keep my toe dipped into the more practical side of being a vet and I also create online educational content for pet owners, such as blog posts and videos for my own Instagram channel as well as a pet food company. This creative work is particularly satisfying because it allows me to express my creative side, a part of myself that my veterinary work doesn't always accommodate.Ìý

What advice can you give to others wanting to become a vet? 

• Make sure it is actually what you want to do. Many people want to become a vet because they think it's about cuddling puppies all day - which it is, but there is also a lot of stress and emotional weight that comes with the job as well as the long hours. I would recommend doing plenty of work experience before applying so you know that it's something you want to do.Ìý
• Focus on getting the grades. Veterinary school is highly competitive, so excelling in relevant subjects like biology, chemistry, and animal sciences is crucial. In addition to strong grades, consider joining animal-related clubs or pursuing research opportunities in college to strengthen your application.Ìý
• Develop strong communication skills. Being a vet involves more than medical knowledge - it's also about communicating effectively with pet owners and colleagues. Practice explaining complex ideas in simple terms, showing empathy, and building trust with people, as this is just as important as treating the animals themselves. If you were becoming a vet to avoid people, then think again.Ìý

Find out more

• Explore alternative jobs working with animals.Ìý
• Discover what it takes to become a veterinary surgeon.Ìý
• Check out Alex's veterinarian and pet advice on Instagram.Ìý