Meet the Cork woman at the helm of Veterinary Ireland

WHEN vet, dairy farmer and animal lover Hazell Mullins was based in Killarney, she often travelled the highways and byways of rural Ireland.

“I remember visiting a farm owned by two bachelor brothers who were in their 80s,” says Hazell, aged 35.

“I don’t think they were used to female vets, and they eyed me with a little suspicion when I arrived to treat their animal! It took a while for them to realise that I was the vet! When my boss arrived at the farm, they asked, ‘who was that girl?’ They thought a female vet was very unusual!”

Hazell, from Carrignavar, has become the new president of Veterinary Ireland, taking over from previous president, Paul McDermott.

“A personal goal is to encourage younger vets to actively participate in Veterinary Ireland in order to exercise their voice and to help support their progression into leadership roles within the organisation,” says Hazell, who is married to Jonathan.

What were Hazell’s first jobs before she qualified as a vet and became president of Veterinary Ireland?

“My first job was chief greyhound trainer, assistant milker and trainee tractor driver at home,” says Hazell, who manages a dairy farm and a beef enterprise with her father, Anthony, on their home farm.

I’ve always enjoyed working outside and I have always been very interested in all things agriculture.

“Growing up, I always loved the farm and being out and about with the ponies and dogs, I wasn’t fond of being indoors!

“I’ve always been surrounded by animals, pet collies and hounds. I dabbled in horse riding too.”

Hazell decided her career choice would involve working with animals.

“I flirted with the idea of being an equine vet, but cows were my calling in the end. I’m interested in herd health and the production of milk.”

Hazell qualified as a vet in 2013, graduating from Nottingham University.

“My mum Mari played a pivotal role in encouraging me to become a vet,” says Hazell.

“She was always at the other end of the phone with advice, and still today, she loves to stock my Jeep with snacks to keep me going while I’m on call.”

Hazell embraced the life of a college student.

“I loved university life,” she says. “I was in Nottingham for six years and graduated with three other Cork students. My first job was at Killarney Veterinary Clinic for 18 months.”

She had some interesting clients.

“I looked after the jarvey horses!” says Hazell.

“Small animals, dogs and cats also came to the clinic to be treated.”

Hazell was committed to her job.

“I once calved a cow in the middle of a field while the cow was tied to a pole!”

She joined the team in Glasslyn Veterinary Clinic in Bandon, where she worked for two years.

“I loved it there,” says Hazell. “Glasslyn was where I really developed my love for dairy practice, and of course the beautiful west Cork. I made great friends in Bandon.

“There is a great community there. I enjoyed being a member of Macra na Feirme. I moved closer to home to be able to help on the farm.

“The opportunity to work at Abbeyville Veterinary Hospital in 2017 was too good to miss. Abbeyville was where I completed my post-grad certificate in cattle practice in Edinburgh.”

Hazell then got the opportunity to work for Highfield Veterinary in Nass, where she took up a management and mentorship role as a large animal director.

My love of Cork was so strong that I returned to work on the farm in the spring of 2023 and I started up a large animal locum business which has allowed me to balance my two passions of farming and large animal vetting.

Large animal vetting must be very physical?

“Yes, it is - for both male and female vets,” says Hazell.

“It is important to look after yourself physically, to eat well and stay fit. Spring can be a marathon!”

Hazell loves the variety her job brings every day.

“I love every day is different,” she says.

“You never know what’s ahead of you and you get to be a midwife for lots of different species. Bringing a new life into the world is very rewarding. It never gets old.”

Is her husband Jonathan a hands-on farmer too?

“No, he’s an electrician!” says Hazell.

“He works in the field of pharmaceuticals. But he is my rock, and he always helps out if he’s needed.

“Jonathan gives a hand with the calves and walking the dogs and he loves the countryside. He’s getting used to animal farm yard smells and he’s very useful in spring time when buckets of feed have to be hauled around!”

Mari keeps the home fires burning.

“Mum, a retired teacher, is a home-maker,” says Hazell. “She loves to cook and keeps me fed and keeps me on the straight and narrow. Mum is a great support and source of encouragement.”

Is it a big deal being the new president of Veterinary Ireland?

“It’s an important role,” says Hazell. “I am very honoured to be appointed. I believe the establishment of a new veterinary school in Ireland will be vital in helping tackle recruitment and retention issues of vets in the country.

“Looking into all sections of veterinary to address work/life balance is also something I am interested in doing, researching options and looking at other countries.

I aim to continue to support the Medicines Working Group to ensure fair representation in regard to changing medicine regulations.

What does it take to be a good animal doctor?

“Resilience!” says Hazell. “There are amazing vets working out in the community. We learn from each other.

“Dealing with people is a big part of being a vet.

“Seeing the person behind the animal and having emotion and empathy is important.”

I tell Hazell I was very emotional when our mongrel of 18 years passed away.

“I know,” says Hazell. “I lost my own dog Max, and I was sobbing. He was part of my life for 17 years. I was on a Zoom call, and I had to turn it off. Losing a pet or any animal is very difficult. We are all human, and we have to grieve.”

Hazell Mullins, animal lover, vet, president of Veterinary Ireland and dairy farmer, is satisfied with life. But she is only human.

“One thing most people don’t know about me is that I am terrified of needles, and I have a long history of fainting!”