Equine nurse Sam Crouch has been crowned our November member of the month! We had a chat with her to get to know more about how and why she was nominated…
As a registered veterinary nurse at Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic in Kent, Sam has spent the past eight years dedicating herself to the care and wellbeing of horses, with a particular passion for stud nursing.
Her nomination highlighted her exceptional work in stud nursing, where she’s known for keeping everything running seamlessly, never asking for credit, and simply getting the job done.
Sam’s journey into equine nursing was inspired by her love of animals, especially horses. She previously worked as a show jumping groom, which sparked her interest in breeding. “I really took a shine to the young horses” she explained, “I had an opportunity to work at a stud farm and it kind of went from there really. I love it.”
A typical day for Sam during stud season starts early, and with coffee. From planning inseminations to scanning mares and managing semen inventory, her role is both varied and vital.
When asked what she loves most about her job, Sam didn’t hesitate: “From a stud point of view, it's definitely seeing the foals the next year… hopefully alive and bouncing and in good health.” She also values the camaraderie of her team. “You have to have a good team to get the job done.”
Sam is also a strong advocate for mental health awareness in veterinary practice. “You have to be able to talk about your emotions — whether they're happy, sad, or you're feeling a bit down about a case,” she said. “Veterinary is very up and down… there are happy times and very sad times.” When asked how she switches off after work she said she finds balance through walks, socialising with friends, and spending time with her cockapoo. “She keeps me well entertained and distracts me from work,” she laughed.
As a BEVA member, Sam is a regular at Congress - both for the learning and the dancing. Whilst she praises the ever-increasing nurse content available each year, she also loves the more “vet-focused” content, attending as many talks on reproduction as she can. She really encourages her fellow nurses to do the same, saying they shouldn’t feel uncomfortable doing so.
You can listen to our full chat with Sam on the BEVApod channel.
Do you know someone who deserves a shout out? Someone who is absolutely crushing it at work? We want to hear about them. Nominate someone for our Member of the Month campaign today.
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