I am an emergency and critical care veterinarian at the Animal Emergency Service in Brisbane, Australia. 

I honestly love what I do, you never know what will walk through the door and often it is multiple critical patients at once. The adrenaline and the unknown bring a thrill to this demanding role and each shift I make an impact to that pet, their family and in supporting the team. I was the kid who dreamed of being a veterinarian and never changed my mind – it was always the end goal. 

It wasn’t until the start of 2015, in doing placement at AES, that I discovered the world of emergency medicine, my true passion, and the missing piece of the kind of vet I was supposed to be fell into place. It was this dedication that lead me to accept an internship at the Animal Emergency Service after graduation in 2017, from James Cook University. A hospital which practices the highest standard of patient care with a dedicated and caring team.  Ultimately, it was the strong mentorship during this period in which I attribute a large portion of my professional capabilities. 

I made my love for animals into a career, however this new graduate period is best described as a roller coaster. Suddenly you are a Doctor. We graduate with building blocks of knowledge but somewhat lack the practical applications when we are faced with patients. This is combined with the steep learning curve of client communication and the responsibility of constant decision making. It is a uniquely challenging period in which I saw the need to provide case-based knowledge from inside the emergency room. I became passionate about sharing knowledge, practical education and inspiring the vets of the future. I am fortunate enough to be able to visit universities throughout Australia and share my university, new graduate and emergency experience and passion. It is for this reason that I share my journey through Dr Brooke on Instagram. To become an advocate for positivity, to inspire and to educate. Through this Instagram page and projects to come, I hope that I can assist in the lives of veterinary students and veterinarians around the world. 

Fitness, food and healthy living is a big part of who I am. It allows me to reset and focus when my patients need me the most. Now I spend my evenings in the emergency department providing world class care – triaging cases, managing intensive care patients or in the operating theatre. Most importantly, I spend my evenings supporting and communicating with families through stressful times. I accept that my job is incredible one moment and inexplicably tragic the next. It is not for the faint or cold-hearted, which is what makes it so tough and rewarding.