My Career: ‘Veterinary is busy, but very rewarding’

Name: Gene Cashman

Age: 36

Lives: Cork

Job title: Veterinarian, canine osteopath, Clinical Director

Salary bracket:

The old saying about veterinary is true- as vet you will never be rich, but you will never be bored!

Education background:

I qualified as a vet from UCD in 2013. I have also done additional courses in canine acupuncture, osteopathy, as well as coaching and management.

Hobbies: coffee, pilates, and talking about pilates!

Describe your job in five words:

Rewarding, energising, challenging, dynamic and fun.

Describe yourself in five words:

Energetic, happy, fun, focused when I need to be, and determined.

Personality needed for this kind of work?

Veterinary is a very broad degree; it has a section or niche for every one.

I work full-time in small animals, which involves a lot of time working with people.

Being a people person is a big help. You need to be very analytical and comfortable problem solving. Being able to pivot on the spot quickly is essential; the plan changes regularly in the clinic as conditions respond or progress. Emergencies happen so a level head in chaos helps.

How long are you doing this job?

I’ve been working as a vet since 2013, and working in both Cobh and Glanmire since 2019.

How did you get this job?

I qualified as a vet in 2013 and spent time working abroad as a vet.

I came back to Cork in 2019 to become a partner with my father in his practice.

I really enjoyed working with my dad- we had great fun! It was great to mix my experience abroad, with my dad’s years of experience in Ireland. We did a number of clinical projects together that were both interesting and exciting.

During my travels, I became interested in osteopathy and acupuncture. When the opportunity to study and gain qualifications in osteopathy and acupuncture came up, I jumped on it. Studying and working full time was not easy, but thankfully my dad and team were very supportive.

Do you need particular qualifications or experience?

You need a veterinary degree which is recognised by the Veterinary Council of Ireland.

Describe a day at work:

Every day is different!

Most mornings I start with a short admin window where I catch up on emails, connect with suppliers, and do CPD. It’s easy to fall behind on updates in veterinary when you work full time, especially as science evolves so quickly. Having a dedicated window helps keep me focused, and avoid being overwhelmed by a big back log.

Then it’s straight in to consultations where I see the full mix of GP patients- from puppies to senior pets.

After consulting, it’s straight in to operations - my surgical list can vary from typical GP cases to more complex oncology. I usually incorporate osteopathy and acupuncture at the time of surgery; it has been very helpful for complex oncology cases, as well as high risk anesthetic patients.

It’s really wonderful to give my patients the “best of both worlds” at the same time- the benefits and results are fantastic.

My afternoon is usually spent reviewing images (x-rays and scans), follow up lab work and more consultations.

How many hours do you work a week?

Roughly 60 hours, but I always take Sunday off.

Is your industry male or female dominated?

It used to be very male dominated however in recent times it has become more balanced. This came with its challenges, however it is now much more fair and respectful to both genders.

Does this affect you in any particular way?

Day to day not really. I’m lucky to have a job that allows women and men to work on a more level playing field.

Is your job stressful? How? Rate it on a scale of 1-10: My job is stressful however it is also very rewarding. I would much rather a job that challenges me and is a bit more stressful, than a no stress boring job.

Do you work with others or on your own?

I work both on my own and as part of a team. I’m very lucky to have the support of such a fantastic team!

When do you plan to retire or give up working?

Not for a long time yet! For all its difficulty, I enjoy my job.

Best bits:

Seeing a pet that I treated when they were once so sick, come back for a routine follow-up visit.

Worst bits:

Telling a pet parent that there is nothing more we can do for their pet.

Advice to those who want your job?

Veterinary is busy and demanding, but very rewarding. Be prepared that the plan is never how it happens, and remember to enjoy the funny, small little moments with your patients each day.