Welcome to this newsletter’s section where we get to know the dedicated individuals behind the scenes at Vet’s Klinic. This time around, we had the pleasure of chatting with Dimitra Batzaka, one of our talented Veterinary Surgeons, and Zoe Chapman, one of our fabulous Student Veterinary Nurses. Read on to discover their insights, experiences, and what makes them such valuable members of our team.
Dimitra Batzaka, MRCVS, Veterinary Surgeon
1. Where did you grow up, and what brought you to Vet’s Klinic Swindon?
I grew up in Greece and studied Veterinary Medicine at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. After moving to the UK three years ago, I joined Vet’s Klinic six months back. The clinic’s high case load, commitment to affordable care and supportive culture felt like the perfect place to sharpen both my surgical and medical skills.
2. Do you have any pets?
Sadly, no four-legged companions in the UK just yet, but back home I have a wonderful mixed-breed dog named Lara. Here, my faithful flat-mate is a five-year-old goldfish—small in stature but big on personality!
3. Favourite hobby or creative outlet?
Baking is my happy place—I love turning stress into cake and then bribing friends with the results. When I’m not covered in flour, you’ll find me kick-boxing or practising Brazilian jiu-jitsu; nothing clears a vet’s mind like politely choking someone (with consent, of course).
4. What does your work at Vet’s Klinic involve?
I’m a general practitioner with a growing focus on surgery, currently studying for a postgraduate certificate in small-animal surgery. Consultations are just as rewarding: they let me connect with clients, reassure anxious owners and, most importantly, fuss over their pets.
5. What drew you to veterinary medicine?
As a child I “operated” on every teddy bear in sight—needle, thread and an over-active imagination left them looking… unique. Those early experiments cemented a lifelong goal: become a real vet (with slightly tidier stitching).
6. Favourite part of the job—why?
Being an animal’s voice. They can’t tell us what hurts, but we can listen, investigate and make them feel better. On the best days—and there are many—I catch myself thinking I’ve got the greatest job in the world.
7. Professional accomplishments you’re most proud of?
Uprooting to a new country and thriving here feels huge. In just a few months at Vet’s Klinic I’ve grown clinically and embarked on my surgical certificate—something I’d never have imagined three years ago.
8. What makes you proud to work at Vet’s Klinic?
The team. We spend long hours together, and the clinic’s culture of friendliness, expertise and genuine support means I can rely on every colleague—and they on me.
9. What do you enjoy most about your colleagues?
They’ll always step forward to help, whether it’s a tricky case or a terrible joke. Laughter in theatre, advice in the prep room and friendships after hours make the workplace feel like home.
10. Favourite song or movie?
Musically, I lean toward soft-rock and indie—“Of Monsters and Men” are constant playlist residents. Film-wise, give me a good mystery: I never tire of the modern Agatha Christie adaptations.
Zoe Chapman SVN, Student Veterinary Nurse
Where did you grow up, and what brought you to Vet’s Klinic Swindon? / What drew you to this field, and how did you get started? I’m proud to say I grew up in Highworth, a small town just outside of Swindon. I always loved animals and have had cats as part of the family my whole life. Growing up, I would be the child looking after all the toy animals (toy stethoscope and all), dreaming of becoming a Vet. I had my first rabbit when I was 12-years-old and they’ve been my favourite animal ever since.
Despite initially going into sports, and after my first full time summer in pet retail, I knew animals were my true passion. Since then, I have been fortunate to experience a variety of animal related roles, including zoo keeper and farm work. Looking after animals just felt right, but would find myself gravitating towards caring for the ill and injured animals wherever possible. When I was younger, I didn’t occur to me that Veterinary Nursing existed until researching university courses. At the time, I opted to achieve my BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Hartpury University. About 5 years ago, I was fortunate to obtain a position as an Auxiliary Nurse in my previous practice. It was performing this role where I knew I wanted to continue in the Veterinary as a Nurse. Whilst looking for an Auxiliary Nursing role closer to home, I came across Vet’s Klinic, where it was indicated they were a training practice, helping me to achieve my ultimate job.
After caring for rabbits, alongside my experience working with zoo and farm animals, I hope to be an Exotics Veterinary Nurse in the future.
Do you have any pets? Could you tell us a bit about them? I do indeed! I currently own two cats, four rabbits and a chinchilla. Figaro and Bruce (both domestic short hairs) are brothers who have been in the family for the last 7 years. Although they spend most of their time asleep, Figaro has learnt to ‘High Five’ and ‘Give Paw’ and Bruce isn’t the smartest of cats, is incredibly affectionate.
I am very fortunate that all my rabbits (Scrump, Han, Chewie and Wicket) have all bonded well and live together. Scrump (4-year-old Mini Lop) was born with only 3 feet. Han and Chewie (4-year-old Netherland Dwarf Cross) were unexpected arrivals after rescue their mum (Stitch). Stitch gave birth 2 days being rescued, and the pair are the definition of ‘double trouble’ (it’s a good thing they’re cute!). Wicket (Harlequin Cross) joined the family 2 years ago, a stray who I intended to foster, but after attempts to find his owner were unsuccessful, ended up staying forever. I rescued Cookie (6-year-old chinchilla) when she was about 9-months-old and has made the most unlikely of friendships with Bruce.
What is your favourite hobby, activity, or creative outlet? When I’m not working or spending time with my own animals, I spend a lot of my spare time with my family. I also enjoy building Lego, painting miniatures and have recently started to teach myself digital artwork.
Could you outline your work here at Vet’s Klinic? Being a Student Veterinary Nurse, you are involved with every area of the practice. In the first year, I was involved with reception duties (including client communications and assisting with dispensing medications), learning basic nursing care (such as placing cannulas, taking blood samples), learning legalisation and infection control. Being as second year student in the practice, I have been more involved with preparing patients for surgery, anaesthetic procedures, scrubbing in to assist with theatre, taking x-rays, in-patient care, nurse consultations, emergency care and so much more. All of these skills are vital during a day at the practice. One minute you could be assisting for a consultation, the next, recovering a patient, then treating an emergency. Although shifts are allocated, the day can change in an instant, so you must be prepared for anything.
What is your favourite part about your job and why? For me, it is difficult to pinpoint one favourite part of my role. Anyone who knows me can tell you that whenever rabbits or other exotic animals are in the practice, I am always there. However, I also enjoy being involved with the Lab. Since being in Veterinary, I have always been curious about how certain health conditions and diseases are caused. I enjoy getting involved with process, and the hands-on experience with laboratory analysis has helped me to gain a better understanding of why specific tests are performed, whilst keeper my inner scientist happy too. There’s nothing more satisfying than creating the perfect blood smear!
Which of your professional accomplishments are you most proud of? When I first joined the Veterinary Nursing course, I was most apprehensive to be involved with general anaesthetics. Even though the Veterinary Nurse are the acting hands of the Veterinary Surgeon, the thought of being responsible for a pet’s life during a surgical procedure used to terrify me. However, since being on the Veterinary Nursing Course, I have been able to confidently and competently take the lead in monitoring general anaesthesia. It’s part of the role I never thought I’d be able to understand, let alone perform, and has shown great professional (and personal) growth.
What aspect of the Vet’s Klinic makes you proud to work here? Despite being a Student Veterinary Nurse, I feel like I’ve been able to make a positive impact to many pets (and their owners). I’m a proud of all my progress and the professional developments I now get to reflect on. I’m proud to be able to learn alongside such a diverse community (both colleagues and clients). to have the opportunity to put my heart into everything I do. Whether you have good days, stressful days, exam stress etc., you always know there’s someone to speak to who can help you back on your feet.
What do you enjoy most about working with your colleagues? I enjoy the way I have been challenged to become the most confident version of myself. If it wasn’t for my clinical coach, I wouldn’t be anywhere near the position I find myself in right now. In a few short months, I will be (hopefully) a Qualified/ Registered Veterinary Nurse, and I couldn’t not have completed the course without the Team’s support and guidance. It helps that, whenever I feel confused or need help, due to the diversity of the Team’s interest and specialties (Vets and Nurses alike), there’s always someone who is willing to teach you something new.
Do you have a favourite song? Movie? My favourite song is ‘For the Dancing and the Dreaming’ from the second How to Train Your Dragon Movie (both the song and the franchise are very special to me). When it comes down to movies, if it’s nerdy, I love it. Star Wars, Disney (especially Beauty and the Beast), Harry Potter, Sonic you name it!
From our Archives:
Maider Murugarren RCVS, Veterinary Surgeon
Where did you grow up, and what brought you to Vet’s Klinic Swindon? I grew up in Pamplona, Spain. I was attracted to Vet’s Klinic by its ethic of transparency and competitive prices. I wanted to be part of an independent veterinary practices that could offer good quality services at a more affordable price.
Do you have any pets? Could you tell us a bit about them? I have two dogs, Toni and Jenna, they are both Spanish rescues that look like long legged Jack Russels, we are inseparable, they come with me everywhere. I also have two horses, Ignis and Koa. I love spending time with them in my free time, going for a walk with the dogs and training and riding the horses.
What is your favourite hobby, activity, or creative outlet? Horse riding and dog walking really, my whole life revolves around animals!
Could you outline your work here at Vet’s Klinic? My work at Vet’s Klinic has been centered in developing an Advanced Surgical service to be able to provide a quality and affordable service to animals that need a more advanced soft tissue or orthopaedic surgery.
What drew you to this field, and how did you get started? I realised that I wanted to be a surgeon when I was volunteering at an animal rescue and rehabilitation centre. We managed to fix the broken femur of a starling. That was the moment I realised I wanted to be able to help and fix animals through surgery,
What is your favourite part about your job and why? My favorite part of my job is seeing the dogs and the cats doing well after their surgeries, being back to having a full life, running on their fixed legs, etc.
Which of your professional accomplishments are you most proud of? I am proud of each dog and cat that I can help and every story of success is an accomplishment for me.
What aspect of the Vet’s Klinic makes you proud to work here? The competitive prices that Vet’s Klinic offers are one of the key things that make me so proud as I feel I can help more dogs and cats. Being able to help as many pets that need a surgery as possible with affordable prices is very important to me.
What do you enjoy most about working with your colleagues? I have a great surgical team at Vet’s Klinic, the nurses always go above and beyond to provide the best care for every patient. It is always great to work beside them and making each surgery the best as possible.
Do you have a favourite song? Movie? I don’t really have a favorite song, or movie. I just enjoy listening to a variety of music while I am in theatre. Music helps me focus.
Rachel Willis, Veterinary Nurse
Where did you grow up, and what brought you to Vet’s Klinic Swindon? I grew up in Mid Wales. Moved to Wiltshire seven years ago. Was a locum Nurse for a while and very much enjoyed locuming at Vet’s Klinic so was delighted to be asked if I would become a permanent member of the team.
Do you have any pets? Could you tell us a bit about them? I have a Standard dachshund called Patrick. He is 6 years old. His favourite things are walks in the forest, chasing squirrels, being fed all sorts by my three-year-old son, and barking at anyone who walks past our house. I also have a Gypsy cob called Floyd.
What is your favourite hobby, activity, or creative outlet? I enjoy long walks, yoga & horse riding.
Could you outline your work here at Vet’s Klinic? I am a part time veterinary nurse here at Vet’s Klinic. I do a mix of prep, theatre, and ward shifts.
What drew you to this field, and how did you get started? Following a short career as a horse riding instructor/yard manager I decided that I wanted to get into the veterinary industry. I started as a receptionist/ACA in a mixed practice in North Wales over 15 years ago. I was lucky enough to then gain a training position at a different practice in Mid Wales, nearer to where I lived at the time.
What is your favourite part about your job and why? I enjoy being with and looking after animals all day. It’s great to be around like minded people and working as part of a team.
Which of your professional accomplishments are you most proud of? I feel my biggest accomplishment has been becoming a much more confident person from being in the veterinary industry.
What aspect of the Vet’s Klinic makes you proud to work here? Vet’s Klinic have a great team. The whole team are passionate, professional, and caring with a high standard of patient care.
What do you enjoy most about working with your colleagues? Everyone helps each other, are approachable and helpful.
Do you have a favourite song? Movie? Favourite song – For crying out loud-Meatloaf; Favourite film – ‘Step brothers’