Vet puts Subaru through its paces

After winning the competition to find the vet facing the toughest driving conditions in the UK, it’s been great having use of the for the last couple of months.

Working in mixed practice on Dartmoor certainly provides plenty of challenge and it’s one of the big pleasures of the job, being able to get out on the moors. I’m very lucky to work right on the border of an amazing National Park. I’m often driving 45 minutes to an hour to reach a call out, largely on pretty terrible roads.

Some of the farms we work with still don’t have proper roads. It’s great to have a car where you don’t have to think too much before going. If you can get there in your own vehicle then you can take all the equipment you need without trying to predict exactly what you might find when you get there.

A four-wheel drive is essential for lots of these places. Without one you’ll be reliant on someone coming out for you if the conditions are bad. Delays can be very dangerous. Without wanting to sound dramatic, it can be life or death if you’re delayed on your way to a difficult calving.

I love working in a rural area. It’s great to spend so much time outdoors and I really feel like a part of the local community. You get to know all of your individual clients very well, all of their specific needs and how best to communicate with them. I find that particularly rewarding.

If I’m going out to lots of calls for the day I’ll always take my Labrador, Midge, in the back seat. She loves coming along with me and we take any opportunity to get out for a walk on the moors between calls.

The Subaru Outback has been a great help. There’s no need to worry about where you’re going as you know you’ll be able to get there. It’s surprisingly responsive for a car that feels so solid. You’re not going to have a problem going through fields in this. I’ve driven it all through the winter months and it’s coped well even on very wet, slippery roads.

For longer distance drives, I’ve really found the EyeSight system brilliant and the big boot is great for all my kit. The heated seats are also really nice when you get back into the car after calving a cow at two in the morning!