This month is National Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month which helps raise awareness of the vital role played by vet nurses in animal care and treatment.

The Mayhew Animal Home has a team of seven vet nurses, which is due to be increased with the clinic expansion.

The nurses work alongside veterinary surgeons to care for sick and injured animals. The vet clinic carried out a record breaking 9000 preventative care procedures in 2014 including microchipping, vet checks, vaccinations and neutering.

Laura Brind, 33, senior vet nurse, at the rescue centre, said: “I get to do a job I love every day working with amazing people.

“On a typical day I help prep and anaesthetise the animals. I support the vets as they carry out surgeries. No two days are ever the same, one minute I’m on hospital ward looking after a sick animal and the next I’m in nurses clinic giving out nutritional advice, flea and worming treatments and also microchipping animals. We also do a vaccination clinic twice a week.

“The vets do an amazing job but they often say they couldn’t do it without us.

“I’ve always wanted to be a vet nurse. It really is my dream job.”

Kelly David, 31, vet nurse, added: “I love working at The Mayhew and helping to save the sick animals as well as all the preventative work we do.

“I help make sure the animals are settled before and after surgery. Once they’re fully recovered we discharge the pets back to their owners with advice as to how to look after them.  “Working as a vet nurse is hard work, but it’s also extremely rewarding.

“It’s not a 9-5 job but that’s what I love about it. I always dreamed of being a vet nurse and making a difference.

“I can honestly say coming into work and working with my lovely team is a joy.

The Mayhew Community Vet Clinic focuses on providing preventative veterinary care that benefits pet owners. This includes free and low-cost neutering, vaccinations, microchipping and flea & worming treatments