Client stories

Nurse Mel has worked at Lort Smith for four years. She has always had an affinity with animals, though it took her a little while to find her calling as a vet nurse.

"We put our very special family dog of 16 years, Timbo, down in 2014. It was caring for him in his senior years that inspired me to return to study and become a vet nurse," remembers Mel.

Mel can usually be found in the wards working with inpatients, in theatre or in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Two nurses and one vet are rostered on in the ICU during the day, and one vet and one nurse overnight. It's not a huge workspace, and it can quickly fill up when vets discuss a complex or unusual case, or nurses come in to admit a patient.

"The best thing about working in ICU can also be the worst thing about ICU – it's always busy and intense and you just never know what will come through the door next. Hit by a car? Respiratory distress? Cardiac arrest needing CPR? Seizuring animal? Uncontrolled diabetic? Anaemic puppy/kitten? There's never a dull moment!" says Mel.

Like a human hospital, our on-the-ground vets, nurses and customer service teams are true heroes!

Thank you, Mel, for your hard work and incredible commitment to the animals in our care.

Veterinary Nurse Sarah has been working at Lort Smith for almost five years, and previously worked in private practice for six. She has two cheeky French bulldogs of her own, as well as a very handsome domestic shorthair named Gaston.

Sarah loves the fast pace of Lort Smith, and the variety of interesting cases, which always create opportunities for more learning.

"I've never had experience using a CT scanner, multiple pathology machines, dental radiography or the chance to work in an Intensive Care Unit. Lort Smith has given me many opportunities to further my nursing knowledge," says Sarah.

Working a variety of shifts, Sarah enjoys theatre, as there are many different and difficult surgeries performed. She relishes the chance to learn new techniques and skills, and to use unique instruments and gadgets.

Happy to work the overnight shift, Sarah admits that working in a one-vet, one-nurse team can be really challenging, especially if the hospital is busy. But she finds it incredibly rewarding looking after critically ill patients and getting them back to better health.

Sarah loves that she can work in a role she's so passionate about: caring for animals. She also credits her love for her job to the amazing team at Lort Smith.

"I have never worked with such supportive, friendly and welcoming staff."

Lort Smith is incredibly fortunate to have such experienced, dedicated and motivated vet nurses as Sarah on our team. Thank you, Sarah, for always doing the very best you can.

Dr Atticus holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney. His desire to help animals in need inspired him to become a vet. Atticus joined the Lort Smith team seven months ago, having previously worked in a private practice in Sydney.

Lort Smith is a much bigger animal hospital compared to what Atticus is used to, and he credits its smooth running to clear roles and systems. He finds the Lort Smith staff and environment very supportive.

In his short time with Lort Smith, he has already won our esteemed ‘Hero of the Month’ award for this willingness to act as our unofficial translator for Mandarin and Cantonese speaking clients – even on his days off!

Atticus mostly enjoys working on inpatient care involving chronic diseases and ongoing conditions.

With Lort Smith now focusing on emergency, urgent and essential care, Atticus is predominantly seeing elderly patients suffering multiple diseases. He determines the most appropriate care/treatment plan for them, which in some cases may sadly involve euthanasia.

The role of a veterinarian is not easy, but it is an essential service. Lort Smith has adopted new ways of working during the COVID-19 pandemic by introducing phone consultations and practicing social distancing.

We are thrilled to have you as part of our veterinary team Atticus – thank you for adapting your working style to ensure animals are still receiving care when they need it most.

"There is never a dull moment in ICU, it definitely keeps you on your toes and allows you to advance your nursing through the care of animals," says Nurse Jordan.

Our Intensive Care Unit cares for critically ill animals who need round-the-clock care, from snake bite victims to pets with heart problems or diabetes. The ICU shifts are the ones Jordan looks forward to most.

"We do everything from medical stabilisation, blood transfusions, oxygen therapy and of course lots and lots of cuddles," she says.

Finding her path

Jordan's passion for vet nursing began while she was studying a Bachelor of Zoology and volunteering at Healesville Sanctuary's animal hospital. Working alongside the vet nurses there inspired her to follow the same path.

"Being able to provide the care and support a patient needs so they can return home to their family, is very rewarding."

Thank you, Jordan, for the care you give in such a high-pressure environment.

Customer Services Officer Suzanne greets many of our clients when they arrive, or is the person on the other end of the line when you call us. Most of you wouldn't know that her seven-year-old Samoyed, Shania, is sitting nearby as she helps you.

"Shania always helps the staff by making them smile and gives them a pep-up if they are having a bad day. You can't eat an apple, banana or yoghurt without sharing it with her. If you don't give her the attention she wants she will nudge you until you do!" says Suzanne.

A special gift

Shania is a particularly special dog. When Suzanne's father was diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer in 2013, Suzanne and her husband gave her dad the Samoyed puppy.

"Dad always had such a love and passion for Samoyeds. He would spend every day with his older girls, Crystal and Nikita, walking them, grooming them and enjoying their company.

"We got Shania for my Dad because we thought it would help him through the battle he had to face, and also help take his mind off what was ahead and the treatments he would have to endure.

"He did say to me the day he got her 'what happens if I can't take care of her down the track,' I said don't you worry about that just enjoy her!" remembers Suzanne.

Sadly, Suzanne's dad only had 11 months with Shania before he passed away. She then went to live with Suzanne and her husband.

"Six years on, she continues to provide me with comfort, love and affection. We have a special bond that will never be broken. We are inseparable. I believe an animal picks someone for a reason. I believe they know when you need just that little bit of extra love and support. I would be absolutely lost without her. She has helped me through a lot of hard times.

"Shania could always make Dad smile, even when he was at his lowest. He always called Shania 'mine and his girl'. She means the world to me as she is all I have left of my Dad. With her, I feel like I have a piece of him with me," says Suzanne.

The human–animal bond is difficult to describe but easy to feel. During the toughest of times, your pets' unwavering love and loyalty can pull you through.

Next time you visit Lort Smith or get Suzanne on the phone, ask her how Shania is going. It's guaranteed to make her day.

Thank you, Suzanne, for sharing your beautiful story and showing the power of the human–animal bond.

An is one of our incredible Animal Welfare Officers, and has worked in our Adoption Centre for three years. Before this, she was a Lort Smith volunteer while studying a Masters of Animal Science at the University of Melbourne.

A typical day at Lort Smith for An involves lots of cleaning, behaviour assessments, behaviour modification and enrichment for the dogs, working with volunteers, helping vets with medical examinations, getting animals ready for adoption and placing them in carefully matched new homes.

An mainly works with our shelter dogs, and has always had a soft spot for nervous and anxious pooches.

"Working with them can be the most challenging, but also the most rewarding when I start to see them learn to trust, gain confidence and just be a dog again. It warms my heart even more when the most amazing families welcome these dogs into their home. The post-adoption updates are constant reminders of why I love doing what I do here at Lort Smith," says An.

Learning on the job

Lort Smith supported An to complete a certificate in dog training and behaviour through the National Dog Trainers Federation (NDTF).

"This was an amazing opportunity for me to develop my skills in reading dog behaviour, understanding the influence of genetics on dog behaviour and their breeds, and constructing behavioural modification and training plans. As part of my complex skill assessment, I taught an enthusiastic English Staffordshire terrier to ride a skateboard on cue," says An proudly.

Why adopt

An believes there are countless reasons why choosing to adopt a shelter animal is the right choice.

"The biggest reward is knowing that you are not only giving them another chance at life, but also helping the shelter to continue its work assisting other animals in need."

Thank you, An, for all that you do for our shelter animals.