Career path offers paws for thought
JANESSA EKERT watch David Attenborough,” he said.
“We had this little Jack Russell and I would always go when we took her to the vet.”
He completed a Bachelor of Veterinary Science after high school, graduating in 1998.
“I’d encourage anyone to be a vet. You get the best of everything. You get the social side of it, you get the animals,” he said.
The industry also offers a diverse range of career paths, including teaching and research as well as the practical side. “You can go to the Olympics as a vet if you’re really good,” he said.
“There is also animal regulations, ... health and safety. Quite a few vets go into politics as well.”
Mr Brewer specialises in dogs and cats and for the last five years has operated a mobile vet service in the Cairns region.
After more than 10 years working in various clinics that included weekend work and on-call shifts, Mr Brewer had wanted a more family-friendly work life.
“I only do house calls. The bulk of my work in Cairns is vaccinations, heart worming, micro chipping and dealing with a lot of skin problems.”
Mr Brewer also does a lot of work with animals rescue groups.
“The advantage for me is because I’m at their home the pets are happy to see me.”
He said that, apart from helping animals, the best part of his job was meeting people.