Anna Davey - MRCVS

Originally from Liverpool, I joined Woodlands after graduating in June 2008 from the University of Glasgow. My ambition to become a vet started at the age of 3 and since then animals have played a huge part in my life.

I grew up in Liverpool with my Mum, Dad, brother, sister and Oliver, the “naughty but nice” Springer Spaniel. Ollie was an amazing dog whose main aim in life was to eat himself silly. He especially enjoyed hand made Birthday Cakes which my mum poured her blood sweat and eventually tears into when she found him on the dining table head first into “my little pony castle” cake. After many letters to Father Christmas for a kitten and being hugely disappointed with the variety of cuddly toys I received I finally secured Twister for my 9th Birthday and he is still going strong at 18! Over the years we acquired 3 more cats Pebbles, Fluff and Porter. We lost Ollie at the age of 17; it was a very sad day for the Davey family, nothing can beat your childhood dog!

I gained my BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Liverpool in 2003. Whilst at Uni I played Lacrosse for Lancashire as well as the Uni team and skied in the uni race team most weekends. This was not the most exciting degree but I had a fantastic time living the student life and it helped me gain my place at vet school in Glasgow. I spent the next 5 years having the time of my life, I loved being at uni in Glasgow mostly due to the amazing friends I had and still have. I really believe in the work hard play hard ethos and threw myself into Vet School social life. At Glasgow I was the AVS rep for Vet School which involved representing Glasgow on the BVA Council and possibly more importantly organizing a party weekend for 1000 vet students. I also played Lacrosse for the University and for Scottish universities.

I spent the perfect working holiday in Mauritius with Kathy my flat mate in the Summer of 2007, we volunteered for 2 weeks at a neutering clinic for the islands stray population. This opened my eyes to animal abuse and neglect and made me appreciate disease prevention and control something we take for granted in the UK.
My highlight of Vet School was traveling for 14 weeks with my boyfriend Tom which involved volunteering in an Elephant Rescue Centre in Northern Thailand. I was in my element scrubbing the rescued elephants in the river in the Thai jungle. It was such an unbelievable experience and I would recommend it to anyone.
I graduated in June 2008 and started at Woodlands 2 weeks later. I now live in South Brent with Tom who I met at Liverpool Uni. Tom is an energy surveyor and originally from Guernsey but grew up in Paignton. We live in a gorgeous little cottage but unfortunately are not allowed any pets; however, I plan to make up for this once we buy our own place.

I love living in Devon, the weather playing a major part but also my job. It is the perfect job, since starting I have had so much support and encouragement from all the staff and have met so many lovely clients and their animals. I love being a vet and can honestly say “I am living the dream”.