Answering the call of the wild

Growing up on a farm in rural North Taranaki surrounded by a menagerie of pets, including a pet pukeko, Dr Turner says he always knew he wanted to work with animals.

“I attended Waitara High School, which didn’t have a strong history of people going to university, so I was determined to make something of myself. I’ve always loved sciences, and adding animals into the equation made studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Science a win-win.”

Moving to Palmerston North took some adjustment after having to leave behind his family, friends, the beach and seeing Mount Taranaki each day, but Dr Turner says his vet class made it all worth it.

“After spending five years with the same people, we got very close! Massey was nice, with its beautiful grounds and the vet school hosting heaps of traditions and events that kept us sane during the most intense five years of my life. I have a lot of fond memories, including monthly happy hours with friends in crazy costumes, relaxing with a coffee and my classmates between lectures and fifth year rotations, when we started feeling like real vets and became closer with our lecturers and tutors, who become our colleagues after graduation.”

Dr Turner says a standout moment was his graduation in 2018, although the transition into a practicing veterinarian took some getting used to.

“I felt like a fish out of water when I first graduated. I felt prepared with the knowledge but bringing it all together in a practical setting requires some exponential learning once in clinic. Massey is moving towards more practical learning and bringing concepts together which is great.”

After five and a half years in clinic, Dr Turner says he felt like a competent senior veterinarian before embarking on his wildlife residency, which made him feel like he’d started all over again. Being accepted into the Massey wildlife residency marks the last chapter of what he says has been nearly a 15-year journey towards his dream goal of being a wildlife and exotic animal veterinarian.

“My career so far has been filled with memorable moments. I’ve built some amazing connections with clients and their animals, which is a great feeling – especially when they start asking after you at each visit! I’ve been lucky enough to work at Hamilton and Wellington Zoos, caring for rhinos, lions, tigers and giraffes, and have worked with the most amazing colleagues. Vets and vet nurses are an absolutely crazy bunch, but super supportive, caring and know how to have fun.”

The 31-year-old is currently based at Wildbase Hospital, caring for Aotearoa New Zealand’s rare and endangered wildlife.

“I feel extremely fortunate to be able to work at Wildbase and love that I can contribute to something bigger than myself. I sometimes take for granted how amazing it is that I get to work with native wildlife on a daily basis, like working with kiwi regularly, which many New Zealanders would never see, let alone hold!” Dr Turner says.

“It can be confronting at times, knowing how vulnerable our native animals are and many people don’t know how severely they’re impacted, so I’m grateful to be in a position to help out.”

With the theme of World Vet Day centred around veterinarians being essential health workers, Dr Turner agrees that veterinary professionals hold an important role in animal and human wellbeing.

“Pets bring immense joy into peoples’ lives, so being able to support owners to keep their animals healthy and happy for years to come is so important. There’s a lot of consoling and helping people through some really difficult decisions, especially around euthanasia. We’re fortunate as vets that we can make it a peaceful send-off for a beloved family member and ensure an animal doesn’t have to suffer. People are always really thankful and show that through cards and chocolates which is also great for our wellbeing, knowing we’ve made a difference.”

Reflecting on his journey, Dr Turner says it’s an amazing job but not one for the fainthearted.

“It’s certainly not patting puppies and kittens all day, though that is part of it! It is a long and difficult road, where days can be tough, but also so rewarding – the days where you save a life, release a bird or even make a sick animal’s journey more comfortable makes it all worth it.”

“I’d like to thank my family for supporting me through years of hard work and stressful times, and my supervisors for helping me, even when my brain is not working as it should during the long and busy days.”