I'm Maureen Dardenne from France and before starting my courses at TAFE, I was travelling and working mainly in the horse industry (studs, equine veterinary clinic, horse therapy). This is where I discovered my passion for animal medicine and realised my desire to be involved in surgeries, medical care, and assisting veterinarians in their work.
What course are you studying, and at which TAFE campus?
In 2024 I studied the ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services and now I am studying the ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at Bentley campus. I love this course! Being able to help animals in pain and discomfort is very gratifying and I love the adrenaline you feel in dealing with an emergency!
How have you found the facilities on your campus so far?
The facilities on the campus are really good, we have everything to learn with. What I really appreciate about the lecturers, is the fact that they teach with passion, and you can feel it. It makes learning very interesting.
What career path are you planning to pursue after completing your studies at TAFE?
After TAFE, I would love to keep going with a career in the veterinary nursing industry here in Australia and maybe heading towards a speciality of emergencies and critical care.
How long have you been living in Perth?
In total I have been here for four years. What I love about Perth is that it is a big city for the area, but not as big as Melbourne for example. It is very easy to travel within Perth, and it doesn't take hours to go from one side to the other side of the city. I love the fact that it is quite isolated compared to the east coast, with lots of nature around.
Do you have any advice for students who are considering studying a course similar to yours at TAFE?
If you are passionate about animals, caring for them and their health, well go for it! You will not regret it! How gratifying is it to transform a passion into a career.