Name: Michaela Keen

Position: Veterinary Surgeon

Education:

• Craigslea High School Years 8-12
• Bachelor Science Year 1 University Of Queensland
• Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Honours
• Attained MRCVS Qualifications in United Kingdom

Employment History:

• United Kingdom:
  • 2 years mixed small animal/dairy practice, Cheshire, England
• Australia:
• 2 years mixed small animal/dairy/horse practice, Kiama, NSW
• 1 year locuming, Brisbane QLD
• 1 year mixed small animal/horse practice Muswellbrook, NSW
• 5 years running the 1st Small Animal Mobile Vet Practice in Newcastle, Port Stephens area
• Opened Lambton Veterinary Clinic on 14th February, 2000

Pets:

Barney the Chihuahua (everyone knows and loves), 2 Birman cats called Puss (very original name!) and Kingston, and a cockatoo called Cocky (again very original!)

Hobbies & Interests:

I seem to have less spare time than ever but when I’m not working at the vet clinic or parenting, I like to read novels, go to the movies, keep fit, travel, sew clothes, and cook (and eat!!).

What do I like about being a veterinarian:

I love interacting with patients and their owners on such a regular basis that they become like family. I can appreciate and enjoy the human-animal bond on a daily basis. I love saving an animal's life – getting it through a serious medical emergency and then seeing the pet back with its family again. That always gives me enormous joy.

Dislikes:

Cruelty to animals whether it be due to ignorance or just plain visciousness. I also dislike people that treat their fellow man worse than they treat animals – if we treat each other with respect, then respect for all creatures will follow.