We’re delighted to announce Kai as our April Member of the Month, celebrating his commitment to equine welfare, his support of students and junior vets, and the strong relationships he builds with clients.
Kai is an equine vet working in a first-opinion practice in the North West of England, where he has now been based for nearly five years. After qualifying, he joined the practice as an intern and quickly knew he’d found the right place to start his career. “The internship gave me a really good foot in practice,” he told us, “and I loved the place so much that I asked for a job afterwards – I’ve been here ever since.”
Alongside his clinical work, Kai plays a key role in supporting World Horse Welfare at their Penny Farm rehabilitation centre near Blackpool. He carries out weekly visits, providing routine healthcare as well as treating more complex cases involving horses that have been rescued or surrendered. For Kai, being part of their rehabilitation journey is what makes the work so special. “We get to see them at their absolute worst and then follow them through to
full health and rehoming,” he said. “That second opportunity is incredibly rewarding – it’s not something you always get to see in everyday equine practice.”
Kai was also nominated for the support he offers to students and junior vets, something he’s particularly passionate about having completed an internship himself. He stresses the importance of getting involved early, even when it feels daunting. “You’ve just got to get out there and see the cases,” he explained. “It’s scary, but most of the time you come away thinking it wasn’t actually as bad as you expected.” He also highlights how important it is to keep asking questions: “No question is a silly question. I’m still asking them now – and I probably always will.”
Despite having relatively limited client interaction during his internship, Kai is now a firm favourite with clients. He believes confidence and good communication are key. “Clients are looking for reassurance and confidence,” he said. “How you deliver information is just as important as the diagnosis itself.” For Kai, building long-term relationships with clients and their horses is one of the most satisfying parts of the job.
A BEVA member since vet school, Kai credits BEVA with supporting him throughout his career to date – from helping him find his internship through the jobs platform, to making use of everyday resources such as the drugs app and Protect Me guidelines. While he’s yet to attend BEVA Congress, it’s firmly on his list for the year ahead.
Kai’s dedication to welfare, mentorship and client care made him a stand-out nominee and a very deserving April Member of the Month. Congratulations, Kai.
You can get to know about Kai and listen to our full chat with him on the BEVApod channel:
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