We welcome all work experience pupils to the practice but as we only take one student at anyone time as places are limited. We would like every pupil to be pursuing a veterinary or nursing career, and to be studying the appropriate subjects.

If you are pregnant unfortunately we are not able to accommodate you, due to our use of chemicals, the x-ray and the risk of physical injury.

Fishguard Veterinary Services is owned by Andrew Clemence who has over 20 years veterinary experience. After graduating from Glasgow in 1986, Andrew worked for a large practice in the midlands before moving to Fishguard. Along with Andrew we have a team of 3 vets, Ryan Davies a local boy who got inspired by the many hours of work experience with Andrew, then graduated from Edinburgh. Jamie Parr joined us in April 2009 after previously working for 6 years in several mixed practices gaining valuable experience in all areas and becoming highly known in the equine world. Our fourth vet is Michael Johnson who also qualified from Edinburgh has gained experience in Australia before returning to the UK.

Along with the vets we have 3 support staff, Melanie, Emily and Amanda who are all committed to helping you enjoy the company of your pets and the good well being of your farm animals.

There are facilities on site to deal with virtually any animal related problem. Our services are available 7 days a week with 24 hour care. We will treat your animal if they are ill and help you keep them healthy when they are not. Your pet or livestock is also catered for in an emergency and if they happen to need specialist help then it is easily arranged. On the farm we are now promoting healthy herds from which we create an individual, unique health plan for your farm. We offer an integrated disease management programme taking disease, management and feeding systems into account.

We ask you to follow the same dress code as all of the vets follow. This is no jeans, wear suitable footwear for the weather, these need to be washed with a hose after each farm visit (wellies), and smart collared t-shirt, polo shirt or shirt. We do not expect you to wear a tie but this level of smartness is appreciated as this is expected by our clients. Remove all visible piercings including earrings as this is a health and safety risk.

You will need to bring the appropriate clothing (see above) and waterproofs. As you will be going from farm to farm your footwear will need able to be hosed and cleaned with water after each farm visit, please bear this in mind, wellies are the most practical. The weather in Wales is very changeable so please be prepared as the vet will not be sympathetic. You will need to bring a packed lunch or some money to buy something from the local shops.

The practice opens at 8:30am and closes at 5:30pm Monday to Friday. You are expected to arrive at 8:45am ready to leave for farm visits, which start on the farm at 9:00am. The vet will not wait for you, so if you are running late the vet will leave without you!! You will be visiting farms in the morning until lunch. After lunch you will be either helping with the small animal clinic and theatre but you might go back out on the farms if there is something of interest.

Lunch has a varied time but you should have time to pop to the local shops or you can bring a packed lunch.

The evening small animal clinic finishes at 5:30pm but this time can vary as more people come along or an emergency might come in. You are welcome to stay until all clients are seen and any emergencies dealt with but after 5:30pm you can leave.

The building is split up into 4 main rooms, one being the waiting room, the office, the consulting/theater room and the drug dispensary room with a small kitchen. In the kitchen is a kettle (make the vets a cup of tea when you get back off the farms, they will really like this!!), but there is no other cooking devices such as microwave. The toilet is situated outside in the middle of the long building in front of the cars. On the other side of the car park is one more consulting room, a waiting room and this is where the x-ray room is situated. There are several fire exits depending on what room you are in, please be aware of where the nearest exist is to you at all times. In the event of an emergency exit through your nearest exit then assemble on the pavement at the front of the building.

In the event that you do require first aid please inform any vet or member of staff. Andrew and Melanie are the nominated first aiders, Melanie is situated on the reception desk and Andrew will either be on farm visits or consulting.

If you are unable or are unwell and cannot come into the practice on any day please give the practice a ring on 01348 873810 between 8:30am and 9:00am.

Any veterinary examination, treatment and medication of any animal is fully confidential and should not be discussed with other persons, be they other clients or not. Such examples would include farmers TB test results or other infectious disease outbreaks. In seeing practice with us you will take on this responsibility that all our vets have. It is vital that you do not discuss the specific details of any animal or owners you may have visited or seen during your visit at Fishguard Vets, with anybody, this includes family and friends.

It is practice policy to ensure that all staff, clients and visitors abide by the Health and safety at work act 1974.

Practice Safety Officer: Andrew Clemence and Melanie Harries

Practice Fire Officer: Andrew Clemence and Melanie Harries

First Aiders: Andrew Clemence and Melanie Harries

Please make yourself familiar with all fire exits and also where the fire extinguishers are situated.

All staff and students must:

Do not handle or walk quickly up to any animal without the vet telling you to do so. Some animals can be very nervous and nasty, others are much quieter, the vet will let you know which are ok to touch.

If you have any questions to ask about the treatment of an animal then wait until the client has left the room then ask the vet. Do not ask questions when the vet is consulting and discussing possibilities with the client.

The x-ray room is situated over the car park in the opposite building, this is the only room designated to radiography. When the x-ray machine is plugged into the mains the room is considered as a ‘controlled area’. This means that only authorized personnel are allowed into the room. Students and owners will not be allowed into the room whilst the machine is turned on. There is a red light outside the door to show that the machine is turned on and do not enter. Anybody under the age of 18 or that is pregnant must not enter the x-ray. A copy of the Guidance notes for the Protection of persons Against Ionising Radiations Arising from Veterinary Use is kept in the x-ray room. We have protective clothing that includes lead aprons and lead gloves. However it would be in your best interest to not be in the controlled area when the exposure is being taken.

Radiography should be carried out in a safe manner and in accordance with the 1999 Ionising Radiation Regulations. There is a copy of the local rules and systems of work displayed in the x-ray room.

The Radiation Protection Supervisor is Andrew Clemence

The Radiation Protection Advisor is the Health Protection Agency. They will be able to advise on aspects of radiation safety, dosimeters and legislation.

I have read and understood the contents of this induction sheet prior to seeing practice at Fishguard Veterinary Services.

In particular I will respect the requirements regarding client confidentiality during my time at Fishguard Veterinary Services.

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