Kate Foran, Tennant & District Times

Alana Drury has been with us at Barkly Vet for four weeks, and sadly she leaves this weekend.

I decided to interview her about her time here. Alana comes from Central West, NSW where she grew up on a 25 acre hobby farm.

She studied at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga and has been living and working in Culverden, near Christchurch, in New Zealand, since her graduation.

Alana loves the outdoors, and is into camping, hiking and surfing. (She certainly didn’t come to Tennant for the surf!!)

When asked her favourite part of working here, Alana said “Oh it’s definitely the people!” “There is a lovely relaxed vibe in Tennant Creek and everyone has been so very welcoming and appreciative.”

She learned how quickly you become a part of the community, given that there’s no easy way to duck ‘back home’ for the weekend, or even on to the next town for dinner, like rural life in other parts of Australia.

Alana appreciated how easily you get to know people here, both at work and out of work, and she admired the friendly nature of everyone here.

I asked her best advice for taking care of dogs?

Alana’s immediate response was: “Have them wear a tick collar!”

Having never seen Ehrlichiosis before working here, she learned very quickly on her feet and had to understand the disease in a hurry, as we are seeing patients daily with it.

The disease is well established in the NT and any dog can be affected.

Finally, would Alana recommend a career as a vet.

“Yes, it can be hard work, but is so very rewarding and it’s allowed me to travel all over the world.

I love working with all sorts of people and their pets,” she said. I can confirm how good she has been with both people AND their pets. Some vets are one or the other.

It’s been such a treat having a vet who is great at both! Safe travels till your next visit, Alana, and thank you for your great work here!

This article appeared in Tennant & District Times, 10 June 2022.