Alumni Profiles
Cees Bennett
Veterinary Officer
104 Military Working Dog Support Unit
I initially decided to study at the RVC as I had heard the course was very good with a lot of practical components and I was looking forward to time as a student in London. The first two years in central London were brilliant but the sports teams were my highlight.
My time at the RVC prepared me well to be ready for anything and the constant learning involved with being a vet. In my job we receive a lot of on the job training that being a vet helps you pick up quickly.
I am currently the Veterinary Officer for 104 Military Working Dog Support Unit, part of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. This means I am in charge of the health and welfare of the Military Working Dogs on a day to day basis, including disease prevention and surveillance and creating a preventative medicine plan. I also have officer roles in the Unit including teaching veterinary first aid to the soldiers, being the unit accountant, welfare officer and equal opportunities advisor.
I qualified in 2004 and went through Sandhurst in late 2004. I completed the first trial PDP year at the Defence Animal Centre and the PDSA before being posted to 101 MWD Sp Unit in Aldershot late 2005. I went on tour to Iraq for 6 months in 2006 and then again to Afghanistan in early 2007 for 2 ½ months. Straight after that I went to Kenya on exercise for 6 weeks. In July 2007 I was posted to Army Dog Unit Northern Ireland where I helped close the Unit down and move it to its current location in Rutland under its new name.
I particularly enjoy the interaction with the soldiers and the ever changing roles that I play, from normal veterinarian to full on soldier.
If I were to advise someone thinking of going into the veterinary field, I would say be realistic but also ambitious. It is a hard course to get onto but with dedication and being pro-active in gathering information and experience it is very feasible. Vets in practice are invariably helpful and I know that the veterinary colleges themselves will help people find suitable placements for experience.
Lastly it really is a job worth having as the job satisfaction is second to none.
More profiles
Read other Alumni Profiles or get the views of Current Students
Quick Links
- Admissions News
- Accommodation
- Fees & Financial Support
- BMAT
- Visit Us
- International Students
- Further Information
- 2013-14 Prospectus
Courses
- BSc Bioveterinary Science
- BSc Bioveterinary Science - 4 year course
- Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVetMed)
- BVetMed Graduate Accelerated
- Combined Degree (BSc /BVetMed)
- Veterinary Gateway Programme
- BSc Veterinary Nursing
- Foundation Degree in Veterinary Nursing
- BSc Comparative Pathology (Intercalated)
- BSc Bioveterinary Science (Intercalated)
See also:
Winner of the Times Higher Education 'Most Improved Student Experience' Award 2011
