1 I grew up… in a village north of Cork city called Carrignavar.
2 My first job was… chief greyhound trainer, assistant milker and trainee tractor driver at home.
3 The best advice I have ever gotten when it comes to my career is… “Veterinary is not just a science, it is an art.” Meaning, that there is also the communication aspect of been a vet; the chats at the van, the check-up phone calls, etc.
4 I wanted to be a large animal vet because… I enjoy working outside and I have always been very interested in all things agriculture. I flirted with the idea of been an equine vet, but cows were my calling in the end.
5 Before I worked at Abbeyville Veterinary Hospital…I qualified in 2013 from Nottingham University and I worked in Killarney Veterinary Clinic. In 2015 I joined the team in Glasslyn Veterinary Clinic in Bandon where I really developed my love for dairy practice and of course the beautiful west Cork. In October 2017, I moved closer to home to be able to help on the farm and joined the amazing team at Abbeyville.
6 A typical work day for me involves… a good brekkie before anything starts, as who knows when lunch may happen. Usually Mondays and Tuesdays consist of TB testing until lunchtime and then emergency calls after. I usually grab a posh coffee or a nice lunch somewhere along the way. Wednesdays are typically my appointment day, where I scan cows, complete herd investigations and Johne’s disease blood testing. During spring I am on call twice a week and every third weekend, it can be exhausting but also very rewarding.
7 If I was not working as a vet, I would probably be…this is always a question I ask myself in the middle of a difficult calving or when the rain is pouring down at the side of the crush. I think it would have to be something in the agri industry, but I am generally so lucky to be in a profession that I love. OK, if I had to choose, maybe a personal shopper for Brown Thomas!
8 The person who inspires me most is…my dad. He’s the hardest-working man I know, a great stockman and my biggest support.
9 The best thing about being a vet for me is… the variety in every day, the opportunities that can arise and also the people I meet every day. I don’t think the feeling of bringing a new life into the world can be beaten either.
10 The most challenging thing about being a vet for me is… saying no to your family and friends. It never gets easier to look up the rota and see that an event clashes with your weekend on-call.
11 The biggest challenge working as a vet during COVID-19 is… not seeing my colleagues every day, the large animal vets have been isolated from the clinics to limit contact. It is also a constant worry of being a potential vector of the virus onto farms, which adds to an already-stressful spring season. It is difficult to balance personal/farm safety with the public health safety risks, but I am trying to promote social distance to the best of my ability.
12 I started my Instagram account, @vetonthemoove because… I was inspired by my non-vet friends who were always intrigued by my vet stories and would love to see the photos of my cases. I thought it would be fun to show people what I get up to everyday. I never thought it would have grown like it has, I am so grateful.
13 The best book I ever read was…I am the world’s worst reader, but I love the What a Complete Aisling books. I would love more time to read, but for now its podcasts and vet articles.
14 The book I never finished was...Pride and Prejudice. I loved the romantic idea of reading classics, may have just watched the film instead.
15 If I was to pick songs for the soundtrack to my life, three tunes would be… Hold On by Wilson Philips is my tough day anthem. Eye of the Tiger by Survivor is my middle of the night calving anthem. Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston makes me smile and I love to dance.
16 When I want to switch off I… walk my dogs, play polo badly and watch trashy TV. Love is Blind on Netflix took over my life for a while.
17 A skill I would love to master is…polo playing and jiving.
18 The app I use most on my phone is… Instagram.
19 My pet hate is…bad coffee.
20 One thing most people don’t know about me is… I am terrified of needles and have a long history of fainting.
20 questions with…Finola McCoy, vet and programme manager for CellCheck