Wednesday 1 April 2015

Blog Tour: Vets on Call by Cathy Woodman.

I'm really happy today to be taking part in the Vets on Call blog tour, hosting the wonderful Cathy Woodman. I'm just about to dive into the beautiful looking Vets on Call too so hopefully a review will be up shortly as well.




An Interview with Shannon...
by Cathy Woodman


I loved revisiting the Otter House vets while writing Shannon’s story in Vets on Call. She is a qualified veterinary nurse who did her training while working for Maz and Emma, the practice partners. Together with head nurse Izzy, she helps out in the consulting room, answers the phones and cares for the in-patients. Here is an interview with Shannon taken from Talyton St George’s local newspaper, the Chronicle.

You have been with the Otter House veterinary practice for some years now. What made you decide to become a vet nurse?

I expect every vet nurse says the same, that they chose vet nursing because they wanted to help animals. I had a black rabbit called Angel and I supported animal welfare, so when the job as trainee vet nurse came up at Otter House, I just had to apply. Maz, one of the vets, interviewed me. I’m not sure what she thought because I was so shy I could hardly speak, but she saw something in me and gave me a chance. At first, I wasn’t any good at cleaning and I fainted at the sight of blood, but I refused to give up. I couldn’t have done it without Maz’s support. She told me the story of how she was inspired by a vet when she was at school, and she wanted to help someone in return.

What do you love most about your job?

I enjoy the camaraderie and teamwork, but most of all, I love anything that involves puppies. I don’t mind being called out in the middle of the night to help with a caesarean. My role is to support the vet by monitoring the anaesthetic while the vet is operating, and resuscitating the puppies if necessary. During the surgery, the vet removes the puppy from the bitch, and hands it over to me. I check that its nose and mouth are clear of mucus. If it isn’t breathing, I rub it with a towel to stimulate it to take its first breath. Once I’m happy with it, I place it on a warm bed in a white wire cage, and get on with reviving the next one. It’s quite a challenge to keep up when there are several puppies in a litter.



What is it about your job that you like least?

You might imagine that it’s the sad occasions, such as when a patient is put to sleep, but I try to look on the positive side. The vet will only suggest euthanasia if the animal is suffering, and there is nothing else they can do to relieve the pain and distress. As a vet nurse, you have to be professional and help the vet to make it a peaceful time for both the patient and the owner.

So the aspect of my job that I’m least keen on, is cleaning reception and the consulting room at the end of the day. Izzy, the head nurse, can spot a single strand of fur or a speck of dust from a mile away!


How do you relax in your spare time?

What spare time? I’m joking. Although I work long hours and I’m often on call with one of the vets, I like to walk my dog, Seven, every day. I take him down to the Green in Talyton St George and stroll along the riverbank and the old railway line. We always meet other dog-walkers for a chat. I like to go swimming at the local pool too. It keeps me fit and helps me relax after a long, stressful day at the practice.

What is your most memorable vet nursing experience?

It was the first caesarean I ever helped with. The mum was a standard poodle who’d had an illicit liaison with a black Labrador on the Green. When she struggled to give birth naturally nine weeks later, her owner brought her in to Otter House where Maz performed the surgery. The seventh puppy to be born had a harelip. He couldn’t feed from his mum, so I hand-reared him. That’s how Seven came to be mine. I live with my mum who has diabetes and Seven has saved her life, making her aware when her blood sugar levels are unstable. He is one amazing superhero of a dog.

I hope you enjoy reading Shannon’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

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Title: Vets on Call.
Author: Cathy Woodman.
Publisher: Arrow.
Genre: Women's Fiction.
Publication Date: April 9, 2015.

Purchase: Amazon UK

Motorbike-riding, leather-clad Ross looks like a bad boy, but underneath the leathers, he’s a good-looking charmer and he soon worms way into the hearts of everyone in Talyton St George.

Even vet nurse Shannon warms to him. So when she needs a place to live, it makes sense to move in with Ross. Just as a friend, of course.

As they grapple with escaped snakes and feral cats, their friendship deepens, until they can’t deny their feelings for each other any longer.

But when a terrible accident leaves Shannon’s life in tatters, it changes their relationship forever.

Because how will she ever know whether Ross is staying with her out of love or pity?





4 comments:

  1. Hello Sophie.
    Thank you very much for hosting me on my blog tour today.
    I love your website - I don't know how you find the time to read so many books.
    Happy reading1
    x Cathy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cathy, it was my pleasure and thank you! x

      Delete
  2. This book sounds great and I love the cover. I really enjoy reading these posts.

    ReplyDelete

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