We recently sat down with Year 12 work placement student Tyrah, who has been gaining hands-on experience at Inverloch Animal Doc. Along with Tyrah, we spoke with Sue, the clinic’s Operations Manager, and Lana, one of the vets, to discuss the valuable learning opportunities the program provides and its impact on both the student and the workplace.
SUE & LANA –
Can you tell us about the student’s role during the placement and how they contributed to your team?
“During Tyrah’s placement in 2024, she started in reception, handling customer service duties, answering enquiries, and ensuring the smooth running of the front of house. She also contributed by helping with cleaning and maintaining hygiene in the hospital and consult areas, which is a top priority for us, as well as ensuring stock was kept up to date. As the placement progressed, Tyrah became more involved in consults and patient care. Over time, she gained the confidence and skills to handle consults independently. By the end of 2024, she had truly become an integral part of the team, and we were thrilled when she decided to continue with us in 2025. It’s been amazing to see her grow, and we’re excited to see her further develop her skills as she continues with us.”
What specific skills or strengths did the student bring to the role that made their placement successful?
“Tyrah brought several key strengths to her role that made her placement incredibly successful. First and foremost, her attention to detail stood out. She consistently maintained high standards in the consult rooms and hospital, ensuring everything was stocked, organised and hygienic, which is essential in our environment. Tyrah also demonstrated a real passion for working with clients; she was always eager to engage with them and ensure they had a positive experience. She approached each task with enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn. These qualities, along with her drive to learn, made her an invaluable part of the team.”
How did you see the student grow professionally and personally throughout the placement?
“Throughout her placement, we saw Tyrah grow significantly, both professionally and personally. One of the biggest areas of growth was in her confidence. She quickly developed a strong sense of assurance in her role. Her phone manner, in particular, improved a lot, and she became much more comfortable handling calls and interacting with clients. As her confidence grew, so did her maturity. She’s now able to discharge patients independently, which is a huge responsibility. In fact, she has grown so much that she’s now training junior staff, which speaks to her leadership skills and ability to mentor others. She’s also taken the initiative to develop a guide for surgery kits, demonstrating her ability to organise and improve processes.
How did having the student on placement benefit your organisation or team?
“Having Tyrah on placement has been a huge benefit to our organisation and team. She helped us during a time of short staffing, stepping in wherever needed and really becoming a necessary part of our team. Her versatility as an all-rounder meant she could support the entire team, whether it was assisting in consults, in the surgery room, managing reception, or helping with patient care. Tyrah also worked in the school holidays, which was incredibly helpful in enabling other staff members to take a day off. Beyond just filling in gaps, she’s actually raised the standards in the clinic, especially in terms of cleanliness and implementing guides and processes for new staff.
What kind of support or mentorship did you provide to the student during the placement?
“Throughout Tyrah’s placement, the entire team was fully onboard with supporting her, and this made a huge difference in her experience and growth. We all worked together to ensure she had the opportunity to learn from everyone, whether it was the vets, the reception team, or hospital staff. She was able to connect with each member of the team, which gave her a broad range of perspectives and insights. We also made sure to have weekly check-ins with her, where we could provide feedback, address any questions she had, and offer guidance on her development.
What advice would you give to other employers who are considering hosting student placements based on your experience?
“My advice to other employers considering hosting student placements would be to go for it—100%. It’s incredibly rewarding and brings so many benefits to the business. Having a student on placement is a great way to bring fresh talent into your organisation and helps to skill up your own workforce. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for your team to mentor and pass on knowledge. That being said, it’s crucial to have the full support of your team. Everyone needs to be on board and committed to the process for it to be a success. And for students who might get knocked back for placements, my advice is to keep trying. Sometimes it’s just not the right time, but perseverance is key. We experienced this ourselves—we didn’t have the capacity initially, but when the right opportunity came along, we were able to bring Tyrah and others on board, and it’s been a great fit ever since.”
Would you host more student placements in the future, and what changes (if any) would you make to improve the process?
“Yes, we would definitely host more student placements in the future. One thing we would do differently to improve the process is to have a more formal induction. This also includes developing signage, checklists and visual guides to help new staff become familiar with the workplace. Students may not always ask questions, so having these resources in place will help them navigate their role more effectively. It’s also important to have clearly defined roles from the start. Tyrah has been instrumental in helping us improve these systems and processes. Her feedback and initiative have helped shape the way we approach bringing in new staff members.
TYRAH –
Can you tell us about what your day-to-day tasks involve?
My time at the Veterinary Clinic has been such an amazing experience. I’ve had the chance to get involved in a variety of roles. I worked at reception, which helped me develop strong communication skills as I managed appointments and interacted with clients. I also worked as a hospital attendant, caring for animals during their stay, making sure they were comfortable and assisting with medication.
One of the highlights was helping in the surgery room. I assisted the surgical team by preparing instruments and ensuring the area was sterile, which taught me a lot about the surgical process and animal anatomy. I also learned the importance of post-surgery care, where I monitored animals during recovery, ensuring they were comfortable and responding well to treatment.
I was also responsible for cleaning and sterilizing equipment, which taught me how crucial hygiene is in a veterinary setting. Plus, I helped with stocking and managing inventory, making sure the clinic had everything it needed to function smoothly. Overall, it was a fantastic experience that helped me grow my passion for animal care and gave me practical skills that I’ll use throughout my career.
What Has Been the Most Rewarding Part of Your Placement So Far?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my work placement has been the continuous learning experience. Every time I come to work, I gain new knowledge and skills, whether it’s understanding different treatments, assisting with procedures, or learning how to care for a variety of animals. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities that help me grow, making the experience both exciting and fulfilling.
Have you faced any challenges during your placement? How did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was trying to learn everything at once, from operating machines to handling reception duties and understanding the clinic’s system. It was overwhelming at times, but I overcome these challenges by taking things step by step, asking questions, and observing experienced staff. With practice and patience, I became more confident in using the equipment, managing appointments, and navigating the system, making each day a valuable learning experience.
What Skills Have You Developed During Your Time Here That You Didn’t Have Before?
I’ve developed confidence in interacting with people, which was a skill I didn’t have before. Speaking with pet owners, answering phone calls, and assisting the team helped me become more comfortable in a professional setting. Over time, I learned how to communicate clearly, stay calm under pressure, and provide reassurance to clients, which has been a valuable part of my growth during this experience.
Has Anything Surprised You About Working in This Environment?
One of the biggest surprises during my work placement was discovering just how complex and fascinating an animal’s body is. Seeing ultrasounds and X-rays in action gave me a whole new perspective on how vets diagnose and treat different conditions. It was incredible to learn how these tools reveal what’s happening inside an animal.
What Have You Learned About The Industry or Field You’re Working in That You Didn’t Know Before?
I learned just how much preparation and behind-the-scenes work goes into running a clinic smoothly. From setting up procedures to managing patient records and maintaining equipment, there is a lot that happens beyond just treating animals. I was surprised by how much teamwork and organisation are required to ensure everything runs efficiently. This experience has given me a greater appreciation for the effort and dedication that goes into veterinary care.
Has The Placement Helped You Discover Any Areas of Work That You Hadn’t Considered Before?
I realise that I don’t have to be a Vet to make a difference—I enjoy the role of a Vet Nurse. Watching how they help in procedures, care for animals, and support both vets and pet owners has shown me how important their job is. I like being involved in different tasks around the clinic. This experience has helped me see a career path I hadn’t thought about before, but now I find it really interesting.
What’s Next For You After This Placement?
I would hopefully like to stay as a Vet Nurse here, if not, I would like to stay within the industry wherever it may be.
Is There Anything Else You Would Like to Comment On?
It is an amazing community. Everyone gets along really well and it’s a comfortable space to be in.
