It’s a case of ‘home comforts’ for one of the first cohort of vets to complete the Linnaeus Graduate Development Programme (GDP).

Royal Veterinary College graduate Louise Dunsby works at Spinney Vets, in her home town of Northampton, where she also completed multiple EMS placements during her degree.

Louise, 26, joined the GDP on her first day at the RCVS-accredited animal hospital and has continued to thrive under the stewardship of her mentor, senior vet Rachel Lord.

After completing the course earlier this year, Louise is now studying for a certificate in ophthalmology.

“I joined the GDP on my first day at Spinney and I really enjoyed it,” said Louise.

“I think the best thing about it for me was there weren’t too many people on the course, so you got the one-on-one learning you needed.

“Also, when you’re at university, you tend to stay in the same groups, so this was also the first time I’d had the chance to mix with vets from other areas.

“The course was helpful, practical and useful. You can always contact the clinicians involved in teaching on the GDP for help, they’re really friendly and supportive. I still speak to them now to get advice on my cases.

“Plus, the friends I made on the graduate scheme I still see now, which is really nice.”

Louise said the support from Linnaeus, particularly Clinical and Educational Development Manager Chloe Roberts, has helped her continue learning.

“They are very keen to help me progress and have put me in touch with other ophthalmology certificate holders, as well as specialists at Willows, to help me with my future goals,” she added.

The GDP offers one-to-one mentoring, professional and clinical skills development in primary care practices across the UK.

As part of the programme, new and recent graduates have access to clinical training through Linnaeus’s extensive network of specialists, referral clinicians, certificate holders and experienced primary care clinicians.

You can find more information about the Graduate Development Programme at https://graduates.linnaeusgroup.co.uk.

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