Just about every vet we’ve ever met is a dedicated, caring person who works long hours to make things better for animals of all kinds. We’d like to share the love and celebrate some of the great human beings who are part of our vet community.
This month, we’re kicking off with Kim Martel of the Yoogali Veterinary Centre in Griffith, NSW.
We caught up recently to find out a bit more about him.
Tell Us About Your Life As A Vet
I’ve been a vet for 47 years now, and I’ve been in mixed practices for most of my life.
I used to have a practice in Cootamundra, but due to injuries I sold that back in 2004. I was a part time faculty member at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga for many years, but then in 2014 I felt the need for a fresh challenge, so I opened a new practice in Griffith.
Initially, that practice was called the Griffith Animal Hospital. In 2019 when we moved to a new state-of-the-art facility in neighbouring Yoogali, we also changed the name to Yoogali Veterinary Centre.
And Your Current Practice?
I head a team of 4 vets and 5 vet nurses, supported by our two receptionists, looking after animals from all around the area. 90% of our patients are small animals, and then there’s a mixed bag of larger animals. We treat horses, sheep, cattle, goats and alpacas. We even do a small number of exotics and zoo animals.
We look after all the day-to-day things you’d expect at a practice, with a focus on surgeries, soft tissue surgery and orthopaedics.
I love the variety. I’d get bored if it was the same every day. Most recently I operated to remove a tumour from a guinea pig. I don’t do that very often!
Do You Have Animals Of Your Own?
Yes, I do. Right now my wife and I have two cats. We used to have dogs but they need more time and attention, which we can’t provide at the moment. Our lives are busy as I still have business commitments in Cootamundra and I travel there every week.
What Do You Do When You’re Not Being A Vet?
Like I said, I get bored quickly, so I’ve always had outside interests. I’ve been a pilot for 47 years and I used to be a commercial pilot with my own air charter business. I also have a longstanding interest in computers and have written veterinary and accountant computing software.
And I play the bagpipes! I’ve been doing that even longer than I’ve been flying. Some people prefer me to fly away before I play!
These days I’m finding myself too busy. I don’t want to retire completely, but I wouldn’t mind selling the practice and working as a locum or on-call just a couple of days a week. That would give me the time to have a dog again too.
How Long Have You Known The Radincon Team?
Oh, I’ve known Jon (Marriott) for donkey’s years, from back when I was in Cootamundra. I went straight to him for equipment when I set up in Griffith. We’ve got an X-ray table and machine from Radincon, plus a DR unit and an older CR unit. And we’ve been using the RocketPACs DiCOM system since last year. Love the instant X-rays and the ways it’s accessible for anyone we choose to share with, so it’s easy to collaborate.
Also I should say that although I haven’t known Alex as long as I’ve known Jon, he’s just as good. He gives fantastic support even when he’s in Japan. I love the way the whole team help out in any way they can.
Final Question: What Advice Do You Have For Anyone Starting Out As A Vet Nowadays?
Enjoy yourself!
Work and attitudes to it are really different these days, but some things don’t change. You spend hours at work, so make sure you do something you enjoy.
And it might sound contradictory, but:
- Be committed enough to keep learning and growing even in your own time
- Have outside interests so you do more than just work as a vet.
You’ll be busy, but you’ll be happy.
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Thank you, Kim Martel, for finding time in your busy life for this interview. We hope to continue working with you as long as you continue working, whether that’s at Yoogali or as a locum somewhere in the area.