At Shepton Vets, we are proud to play an active role in shaping the future of veterinary medicine. As a Surrey Veterinary University Partner Practice, we welcome final-year veterinary students from the University of Surrey for month-long clinical placements, which gives them invaluable hands-on experience and a true insight into life in practice. This is a very different learning model to some of the other vet schools where their final year is spent in rotations within the university clinical referral sites and charities.

During their time with us, students become part of the Shepton team. Under the close supervision of our experienced vets, they may take patient histories, perform clinical examinations during consultations, and even assist with, or scrub in to, surgical procedures. These placements are an essential step in helping students build confidence, refine their practical skills, and develop their own clinical judgment in a supportive and educational environment.

Our Clinical Instruction Mentors (CIMs) – Greg, Martin, Gudi, and Rhian – play a key role in guiding and supporting each student throughout their placement. Their experience, enthusiasm, and dedication ensure that students receive the best possible learning experience during their time with us. The rest of the Shepton team also play a vital role in guiding them through calculating and dispensing drugs, intravenous catheter placements and monitoring general anaesthetics.

Recently, Rhian mentored a final-year student named Emma, who flourished from her very first day. By the end of her placement, Emma had demonstrated such skill and confidence that Rhian entrusted her with the full responsibility of performing a scale and polish on her own dog, Gracie, under general anaesthetic. Emma approached the task with great professionalism and care, and Gracie’s smile was shining brighter than ever afterwards.

Emma also built a wonderful rapport with our clients and their beloved pets – including an enthusiastic Jack Russell named Meg took quite a shining to her during her clinical examination, reminding us all how rewarding these connections can be.

We believe that investing in education benefits everyone – our patients, our profession, and the wider community. By partnering with the University of Surrey, Shepton Vets is proud to help nurture the next generation of compassionate, skilled, and dedicated veterinary surgeons.