NEW & RECENT GRADUATE SUPPORT PROGRAM
Welcome to the profession!
This FREE program is our way of welcoming you into your new career as a veterinarian.
We've asked some of our favourite humans to share their words of wisdom to help you make a smooth transition into your new career.
We'll help you decide which practice is right for you, how to tackle challenging conversations, euthanasia, and how to establish yourself in large animal practice.
MEET YOUR PRESENTERS
Dr Margie McEwen
Margie is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia.
Many vets and nurses will agree that Margie’s warmth and her willingness to share her clinical and academic experience have been instrumental in their careers.
Margie asserts that her early years in private practice keep her connected to the reality of veterinary medicine. Margie continues to teach anaesthesia and analgesia into VetPrac’s hands-on workshops and online courses, as she continues her mission for lifelong learning.
Dr Michelle McArthur
Dr Michelle McArthur is a Clinical Psychologist and an Associate Professor in Wellbeing and Communication in the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia.
Her research topics and award winning teaching include human-animal relationships, simulation based education and clinical communication skills, with a strong focus on veterinarian and veterinary student mental health and wellbeing.
Michelle's approach to successful veterinary consultations underscores the importance of listening, and is a gamechanger for many grads.
Dr Ryan Leong
Dr Ryan Leong graduated from the University of Sydney in 2012. He completed an internship in small animal surgery, followed by general practice experience in three very different environments: Singapore, Alice Springs and Adelaide. He then embraced a second surgical internship in Canberra and stayed to finish his surgical residency.
Ryan taught at the veterinary teaching hospital of the University of Queensland as a small animal surgeon from 2020 to 2024, where he lectured into the BVSc and BVetTech degree programs. In 2024 he realised his long term dream and co-founded his referral surgical service in Singapore. Ryan is a regular educator in both face to face and online courses with VetPrac.
Ryan is passionate about all aspects of surgery but has a keen interest in fracture management, cruciate ligament disease and veterinary education.
Dr Courtney Prue
Dr Courtney Prue is the founder and lead veterinarian at Rest Your Paws, one of Australia's first and largest in-home palliative care and euthanasia services for beloved pets.
Dr Courtney leads a team of compassionate veterinarians, nurses and grief counsellors who are dedicated to providing pet owners with emotional support and expert guidance throughout their pets' end of life journey.
The team collaborates with universities nationwide to advance end of life training for future veterinarians, general practitioners and referral hospitals.
Rest Your Paws develops and shares resources to empower veterinary professionals as they deliver a more compassionate euthanasia experience for clients and pets within their clinics.
Dr Cameron Hendricks
Cameron started in mixed animal practice with a ratio of 20% smallies and 80% beef cattle, working long hours with primary producers on King Island. He has locumed around Australia, worked as a large animal vet in Russia, and been a live export shipboard vet.
Cameron and his business partner now own two veterinary enterprises: a cattle practice on King Island and in Victoria, and a small animal clinic in Port Douglas.
Cameron has carved out a career where he can enjoy clinical work as a mixed animal practitioner, as well as taking on the challenges of running veterinary businesses.
Dr Tonya Stokes
Tonya is an educator and VetPrac's Veterinary Mentor. Her mission is to improve the welfare of animals as well as the veterinarians looking after them.
She has held a variety of lead veterinarian roles in general practice, teaching hospital and shelter environments, and has completed extensive volunteer veterinary work all over the globe.
Tonya is a true mixed animal veterinarian, having worked with sheep, cattle, horses, small animals and a large variety of humans at different times in her career. She is invested in helping veterinarians achieve resilience and great clinical practice with the resources at their fingertips.
Dr Arthur House
Arthur is a registered specialist in small animal surgery with over 20 years of experience and an extensive range of specialist surgical skills.
He has a PhD in veterinary research and has been published in a broad range of publications and peer reviewed journals. He is involved in collaborative research which ensures he stays at the forefront of veterinary science, offering the latest treatments for his patients.
Arthur continues to be active in veterinary postgraduate training through provision of continuing education lectures, supervision of new graduates, surgical interns and residents, and he has also been an author in several textbooks.
3 REASONS TO SIGN UP
FREE to new grads
2023 and 2024 graduates from anywhere in the world are invited to join this hub, absolutely free. Simply join today and enjoy the materials we've collected for you.
Instant access
You'll have immediate access to a library of videos and interviews, with advice that will make a difference to you in clinical practice. You can log on anytime.
Career support
This hub is full of stories from experienced vets as well as helpful tips and advice for navigating your first years in practice. Tip # 1: take all the help you can get. Join today.
WHAT'S INSIDE THE COURSE?
Module1: Setting Yourself Up for Success
Grab some refreshments and enjoy the banter as two of our most celebrated VetPrac educators share their tips for your first job as a veterinarian. How do you know you're choosing the right clinic? Dr Margie McEwen and Dr Tonya Stokes share some red flags, how to assess if the staff are happy, and how to interview your prospective clinic while they they're also interviewing you!
Module 2: What to Say & When
Leading a consultation for the first time can be a really rewarding experience. Are you prepared to share laughter, tears, and hear criticism from your clients? In this session, Dr Tonya Stokes talks to Dr Michelle McArthur about getting comfortable in the consult room. Because it's YOUR consult room, now.
Module 3: Surgical Survival Skills
Not many graduates have a lot of surgical experience when they graduate.That's okay! With kindness and a mindful approach, you can make it work for you. Join Dr Ryan Leong as he shares the things you should know about your first experiences in surgery, including how to ask for help and how to learn as you go.
Module 4: End of Life Care & Euthanasia
Dr Courtney Prue runs a mobile palliative care and home euthanasia company. That's why we think she's the best person to help you navigate euthanasia in general practice. You'll hear about quality of life assessments, helping your clients and how to manage the euthanasia consultation when the time comes.
Module 5: Starting Out in Large Animal Practice
Hear about large animal practice from someone who really knows what it takes. Dr Tonya Stokes interviews Dr Cameron Hendricks about his early career in largies, including what to do when the boss says 'You'll be right!' and you're faced with a tough case in the field while the farmer waits and watches on.
Module 6: Managing Surgery in Your Early Years
Dr Arthur House provides essential insights for managing surgery in the early years of your career. He covers building confidence and competence in surgery, finding a mentor, overcoming imposter syndrome, effectively planning surgeries and growing a surgical caseload in general practice. With a focus on fostering a lifelong learning mindset, this session equips you with the tools you need to thrive in your surgical journey and build a solid foundation for long-term success.
MAKE THIS YOUR FIRST STEP
All vets need to do continuing professional development (CPD).
You can go to a conference and paint the town red, join a live webinar, do a flexible online course or participate in a hands on surgical workshop.
The choice is yours.
For now, the only thing you need to get started is this New & Recent Graduate Support Program. You'll get some honest and open ideas about how to become the kind of vet you want to be.
Join the FREE New & Recent Graduate Online Course
Get started today and hear how to get the most from this exciting part of your career.
