Reena Patel grew up and went to school in Harrow, North London and had an immediate love for animals and their welfare, and passion for science, so veterinary medicine as a career was the obvious choice.
Like many young kids, growing up to be a vet was a lifetime ambition, and she is so happy to have fulfilled hers. Having been a vet for 16 years now, Reena can still say that going to work is a joy for her. It was an unusual career choice for an Asian girl, with human medicine being the more expected path, but she is glad to have paved the way for future budding vets from our communities.
1. Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
Home is where my family is, and for me this London and surrounding areas, with my own family in St Albans and extended family scattered around London. But my husband and I also have a connection with Scotland and Iceland, both placed we have visited and feel a spiritual connection with.
2. What are your proudest achievements?
Graduating Veterinary School was a massive achievement, and completion of my lifelong ambition. Then becoming a partner in my own veterinary practices, becoming a mum of two amazing kids, and starting my own coding school for children, fall into 'feel proud' moments.
3. What inspires you?
I am inspired by the limitless possibilities that are available to all of us. Being able to fulfil your own dreams, and help someone else to theirs, inspires me to continue growing. I would love to show my kids that nothing is impossible.
4. What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
Being from an Indian background, making the step into veterinary medicine was not the most expected choice. Having my parents full support was deeply important, and the lack of understanding for this profession
5. Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
In terms of career influences, I have looked up to lots of my veterinary colleagues, their approach to veterinary medicine, patient care, client care and business management. I have been blessed to have many guiding hands, and strong positive influences around me, all of which have helped me grow professionally.
6. What is the best aspect about your current role?
There really is no single best aspect! I love everything a being a vet, even the long hours! I love treating my patients, meeting, and caring for their owners, the constant developing science, learning new skills, growing a veterinary practice, teaching, and guiding younger vets and vet nurses, the list is just endless....
7. And the worst?
The toughest part of my role, and this holds true for all my veterinary colleagues, is sadly the misconceptions of some veterinary owners. All vets work tirelessly for all of our animals and our customers, and we do it purely for the love of the patient. To hear negative comments about people’s misconceptions about our motivations is one of the reasons many vets leave this wonderful profession.
8. What are your long-term goals?
I just want to keep on improving what I do. Veterinary medicine is constantly changing, and I want to be able to offer gold standard care until I (eventually) retire, so amongst my goals is the constant development.
9. If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
Gosh, the Prime Minister has an incredible difficult job, and probably has many difficult decisions to make! Without his/her helicopter view, it is difficult to give a good answer. From a purely one sided perspective, and with my role as a veterinary surgeon as the steer, I would like to see the NHS costs more visible to NHS users, so that they would understand how much medicine does actually cost, to help them understand the costs involved in the care of animals.
10. If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
So many amazing historical figures to choose from! If I had to pick just one, it would be Nelson Mandela. What an inspiration he is, and so much to learn from.
