Siobhan Oughton

What is your position within the surgery?
Registered Veterinary Nurse. 

What are your personal origins – how did you come to reside in your current location?
I have lived in Weymouth all my life. 

Why did you become a veterinary nurse? 
I'd always wanted to either work in art or with animals. After leaving school I took the art route and found this to be not for me. I changed to studying animal care at Kingston Maurward. I applied for work experience at Dave Cumber vets and was lucky enough to be offered a job as an evening auxiliary nurse. I was inspired by all the work that the veterinary nurses were doing and was keen to start my training.

Where did you train to become a veterinary nurse and when?
After a year I found a position at a veterinary practice in Wareham to complete my training and qualified in 2006. I returned to Dave Cumber vets once qualified. 

What do you actually do as a veterinary nurse? What are your key interests or goals?
I enjoy the varied role of a veterinary nurse which includes laboratory work, monitoring anaesthesia, inpatient care, day patient care and consulting to name but a few of our job roles. I have a special interest in cats and in 2020 gained my certificate in feline nursing. Cats need a whole different outlook when working with than dogs and I think as a practice we are very sensitive to their needs. 

Do you have any pets? 

I have a 2-year-old black and white cat called Suki who I got from a local rescue charity as a kitten. She is a bit like as a dog as comes running in from the garden whenever you call her!  I also have a terrier cross called Molly who keeps me very active after sadly losing my beloved old terrier to cancer. I am also the cat advocate for the practice as part of the cat friendly clinic scheme.