Nia’s life story goes through Japan, Nepal, and Stewart Island. But we will also talk about Wales, her drawing (a passion that made her the front page of a kiwi magazine!), Sea lions storming football pitches and golf courses, and much more!

After qualifying in the US and working in equine practice for a few years, Miranda moved to Germany and joined a company where she diversified into robotics! Miranda is still in love with horses. Despite the life-changing move, she hasn't lost her 'veterinary' identity.

Miranda’s story of diversifying is becoming more and more popular in the veterinary industry, but it is still an extraordinary one. Her parents do not come from the veterinary world, but she chose veterinary because 'I love science and animals’. Perhaps the truest and most concise reason we do this job.

I think one of my most vivid memories of the pandemic will be the struggle of going to work in full PPE while trying to maintain distance from clients and colleagues so I didn’t ahem… kill them by inadvertently spreading viruses! But a not very distant second would have been listening to Daniella’s updates in the evening. Every one of us would be waiting for her to explain how best to get armed and combat the pandemic struggles while carrying out our veterinary duties to make sure animals were treated in their time of need.

Daniella Dos Santos is one of the most well-known people in the British veterinary industry. Among other things, she has been a president of the BVA (British Veterinary Association). I talked to her about why there's a vet shortage.

In the episode, we discuss the why. But we also provide evidence for those who choose not to believe it. We talk about the causes that have led us to today's situation. In our talk, we explore Brexit, the pandemic, reasons for vets to stay or leave the profession and gender discrimination in the workplace.

Would you take the plunge and commit your family to another country in the Middle East? Sarah tells me about all the weird and wonderful changes in her new life. From recent progress in society in the UAE to different cultural approaches in one of the first 24-hour veterinary hospitals in Dubai.

Planning to make a quick buck by selling pups? Fancy getting your latest trendy cross breed cocker-labra-pug-doodle bitch pregnant? Think again. Abby tells us about just *some* of the things that can go wrong in the 'puppy trade'. These poor animals are living beings, and as such can (and will) attract large vet bills and welfare disasters. Don't get caught up by inexperience and dubious advice. If you are thinking about breeding, do your research. And by that, I mean ask your vet. Not some random social media group.

Dead animals at Zurich University weren't going to deter Nadine from becoming a vet when she was only a tween. If anything, it encouraged her more. But after a few turns in her career, she wanted to go back to the roots of veterinary medicine. Welcome to Carriacou Animal Hospital, a veterinary charity in the Caribbean country of Grenada.

Nadine tells us how the project started and how it works. The charity hospital welcomes veterinary volunteers to enjoy a working holiday on the fascinating island of Carriacou, only a few steps from the beach. As she puts it, they are the heart of the project. She talks about the endemic diseases you would encounter on the island and how these can be treated and prevented.

We also have a thoughtful chat about mental health and how she sees the working demands of clinics as one of the causes of mental health deterioration in today's for-profit practice.