Small-town state veterinarian shares her big heart
“It is a very intellectual career and I always did well in school. I think it is the combination of science and my love of animals that led me to become a veterinarian.”
LYDENBURG – What do you get when you combine a passion for science and a love of animals? State veterinarian, Dr Sulet Gous (26), of course. Steelburger/ Lydenburg News met up with her to find out how she is experiencing the town since being appointed as state vet.
Gous graduated last year as a veterinarian at Onderstepoort in Pretoria. Her graduation class was the first to do a year of community service as state veterinarians and she was chosen to come to this town. “I am pleasantly surprised with the town. I knew nothing about it when I arrived here. I like the community and have made friends. It is a nice farming community, situated in a beautiful area.” Gous explains that a state vet can do everything a private vet can.
“The only difference, being a state vet, is that operations and medicine are done and supplied by state money. Thus we can’t render a service to just anyone. We do this mainly for people who are unemployed, receive a minimum income and who really cannot afford private veterinarian services.” At this stage Gous does not render a lot of clinical services.
“We do, however, provide services such as vaccinations and Lyme disease treatment. Although we have not done sterilisations of pets for community members who simply cannot afford it, it will also be done over the course of the year.” The hardest aspect of her work is when she sees how much people care for their pets. “It is heartbreaking to see people who really love their animals, not have the means to help them. That is very emotional because veterinarians are ultimately the people you want to help your pet.”
She said the best part about her job is being out in the field. “I always thought that I would only be a cat and dog vet, but during this year at the state I enjoyed production work and working with wildlife. “The state is in charge of the buffalo. Whenever buffalos are being sold or moved we have to test them for various illnesses. I have really enjoyed this aspect of my work.”
Gous grew up on a farm in Tsumeb, Namibia. From an early age she developed a love of animals. “It is a very intellectual career and I always did well in school. I think it is the combination of science and my love of animals that led me to become a veterinarian.” She said her message to the community of Lydenburg is that there is a state vet available. “If anyone has any questions or problems, they are welcome to come and see me. I have limited resources available, but I will be happy to help, even if it is just advice.”
