From draught horses to thoroughbreds, donkeys, and miniature ponies, there are very few breeds which Clarence Valley equine veterinary nurse Imogen Porter has not attended to.

And while she initially cared for cats and dogs, comparatively smaller patients, during the early stages of her profession, her love of horses and passion for working outdoors lead her to pursue a career within the equine industry.

Known throughout the region for her kind and compassionate nature, her skilful attention to detail, and her commitment to animal welfare, Ms Porter was recently presented with the Equine Veterinarians of Australia (EVA) Nursing Excellence Award during the 2025 Bain Fallon Conference on the Gold Coast, in recognition of her exceptional work ethic.

Nominated by Ms Oliver Liyou, her boss at Equine Veterinary and Dental Services (EVDS) in South Grafton where she has worked for the past eight years, Ms Porter said she was shocked and surprised to receive the award earlier this month.

“It still doesn’t seem real,” she confessed.

“It’s such an honour, and I am so thankful to my boss, not only for nominating me for the award, but also for sharing his vast knowledge with me, and the support he gives me every day.”

Growing up in the Lower Clarence community of Ashby, Ms Porter always knew she wanted to be a vet nurse and began working in a small animal clinic after attaining her qualifications.

Citing job security amidst the vast number of Clarence Valley residents who have cats and dogs, she said while she loved spending time with her large clientele of fluffy and furry four-legged friends, working with horses always remained her tong-term goal.

When an opportunity to gain employment within the equine industry became available, Ms Porter said it was an easy decision to follow her dream.

From administering medications to flushing out and stitching wounds, changing bandages, assisting with surgical procedures, dental work, mucking out stalls, and attending to newborn foals, the role of an equine veterinary nurse varies greatly.

And Ms Porter wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I love working with horses, and every day is so different from the last,” she explained.

“Horses are large animals, and they can be unpredictable, but the love you have for them is something that never leaves you once you’ve got it.

“When you approach them, you have to be able to read their body language, and they’ll tell you how they feel about you, and you’ve got to lower your energy and stay calm and focused if you want to gain their trust so you can help them.

“I’m so lucky to be able to do the work I do, and the advancements in technology which enable us to take better x-rays and better ultrasounds, just to name a few examples, so we can do more to care for our patients and our clients, it’s fantastic.”

Ms Porter said while she still cannot believe she is the recipient of the Equine Veterinarians of Australia (EVA) Nursing Excellence Award, she said she is eager to expand her knowledge, improve her skills, and continue to learn as much as she can each day.

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 27 August 2025.