If there’s one thing people know about Maddison Lawback, it’s that she loves animals. And it’s for this reason that she has become a qualified veterinary nurse.
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The 21-year-old isn’t just content with working with animals at Gunnedah Saleyards Veterinary Clinic – she also does it in her spare time.
Ms Lawback has been an active member of the Gunnedah branch of the RSPCA since 2014 and is currently heading up the branch’s Cupcake Drive and Target 150 initiative.
She cites a passion for animals as the driving force behind both her volunteering and study, with a Certificate III in animal studies and vet nursing under her belt.
Ms Lawback gained hands-on experience at Gunnedah Saleyards Veterinary Clinic when she joined the team in 2015 for one day a week as part of her vet nursing course, working alongside veterinarian Tina Clifton.
“Tina sort of threw me in the deep end and let me learn everything first-up, which was good for me because I just sort of like to learn everything as I go,” she said.
“I really enjoyed being able to jump straight in as if I was a vet nurse.
“I think it definitely benefited my experience and my learning because I think if you’re just watching it might not keep you engaged.”
Ms Clifton said it was a “huge achievement” to become qualified and praised Ms Lawback’s repertoire with animals and attention to detail.
“It’s been a great pleasure to support [Maddison] in her learning journey,” she said.
“It's really nice when you have someone who’s keen and committed.
“It’s a proud moment because there are quite a few vet nurses that I’ve mentored who are still doing it.”
Ms Lawback said she grew up with a number of pets and vet nursing seemed like the best choice.
“I have always said that I was going to be a vet when I was little,” she said.
“I’ve had a passion for animals and I like to help people and animals.”
Ms Lawback’s growing knowledge about animals has been helpful in her role in the RSPCA, enabling her to identify symptoms of possible illness or injury, address behavioural issues, and determine diets and feeding requirements for different animals. She is also a registered microchip implanter, can check if animals are desexed and remove stitches.
“It’s just sort of become second nature [to notice details],” she said.
But Ms Lawback said there was still a lot more knowledge to be gained.
“I’m quite confident with companion animals [but] I’m still learning a lot of the large animal stuff,” she said.
The local is now working at the saleyards clinic two days a week and said she was excited to accomplish her goals.
“It’s nice to build a relationship with the owners and their animals,” she said.
“When you’re passionate about something, it doesn’t feel like you’re working.
“It’s just a very rewarding career.”
