Vet Nurses & Support Staff

My name Patricia Shields. I joined the practice in 1986. I grew up in Africa where my love for animals was ignited. After moving to Northern Ireland I was lucky enough to land my job within this busy, friendly mixed animal veterinary practice. The nature of the job dictates no two the days are the same- so keeping things fresh and interesting.

Over the years I have seen many changes within the practice from a partnership, change of premises, etc. My role as Practice Manager involves the day to day of the clinic – as well as the ‘management’ of our two residential furry cats, which you see running about or lay on my desk most of the day.

Away from work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. Traveling or just chilling at home with my two rescue cats. Ubu and Uki.

I have been part of the Firmount team since July 2008. I currently have one more year of studying to complete my course to become a qualified veterinary nurse.

I thoroughly enjoy my job and find it very rewarding having the ability to care for sick and injured pets and nurse them back to full health again.

I live at home with my husband and our beautiful little daughter. We have two pets, our dog Beanie and cat Dizzee. I hand- reared Dizzie from a little kitten of 3 weeks old which was very enjoyable.

I joined the team here at Firmount in September 2014 while on placement for the animal nursing assistant course. I qualified in June 2015 and am now currently working towards my level 3 diploma in veterinary nursing.

Previous to joining the team at Firmount I also completed a level 3 diploma in animal management where I realised my ambition to become a veterinary nurse.

At home I have one pet dog, an ex-racing greyhound who I adopted from Mid-Antrim animal sanctuary where I was volunteering at the time. I have always loved animals and so getting to work with them everyday is so rewarding and brings great job satisfaction.

I have been employed in Firmount since June 2001. I am Head Veterinary Nurse of the practice and Clinical Coach which enables me to train Student Veterinary Nurses which I find most rewarding. I also handle the Health & Safety in the practice which involves risk assessments, first aid, fire safety, etc.

I thoroughly enjoy my job as it is very rewarding and no two days are the same. My greatest achievement in my career so far is when I won N.I Veterinary Nurse of the year in 2011 which I am extremely proud of.

I come from a farming background which is where my love of animals has come from. I am happily married and blessed with two beautiful children and I also have three rescue dogs Buddy, Gaby and Bob to add to the family which makes for a very busy household!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have always loved animals and worked for 6 years in a Boarding Kennel from when I was at school. During my time there I looked after people’s pets but we also cared for a lot of rescue dogs and cats for local animal charities, it was this side of the job I enjoyed most. Over the years a few of these dogs came home with me. I have had a few different jobs since but I’ve never lost my love of working with animals.

I have just completed a level 3 Subsidary Diploma in Animal Management, it was during this course that I started a placement with Firmount. I am going to study the Animal Nursing Assistant course in September 2016 & will hopefully progress onto studying Veterinary Nursing in the future.