Here at Gisborne Veterinary Clinic, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional veterinary care to our wonderful clients and their much-loved pets. But our passion extends beyond the clinic walls. We also love being involved in community programs that educate, inspire and support the people in our local community—whether that's helping children discover a future career or bringing smiles to families at local events.

This year has already been filled with some fantastic community initiatives, and here is the spotlight on two very memorable events.

One of our highlights was partnering with the Gisborne Rotary Club for their annual Children's Easter Event. More than 600 children enjoyed a fun-filled day hunting for Easter eggs, with one of the biggest attractions being the Petting Zoo, proudly funded and supported by the clinic.

Watching children interact with animals is always incredibly rewarding. Teaching them how to safely and respectfully handle animals while seeing the joy and excitement on their faces is something our team truly cherishes. These positive experiences help foster kindness, confidence and a lifelong appreciation for animal welfare.

In June, we also had the pleasure of supporting Braemar College's Year 10 Careers Day, where we spoke with more than 100 students over 4 hours about the rewarding and diverse careers available in veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing.

Our interactive display was a huge hit! Students had the opportunity to explore a real horse skull, safely handle some of our specialised equine dental equipment, examine fascinating specimens including a snake, Canine teeth and heartworm, and—perhaps the biggest conversation starter of the day—a preserved canine testicle! It certainly sparked plenty of questions and laughter.

We're thrilled to say that our display was voted Best Stand of the Day. Although Dr Andrew and I had almost no voices left by the end of the event, we had an absolute blast. We firmly believe that keeping our presentations interactive, educational and entertaining is the best way to inspire young minds.

We're already looking forward to our next careers event at another local school in August.

Supporting our community is something we are incredibly passionate about. Whether we're helping children learn about responsible animal care, inspiring the next generation of veterinarians and veterinary nurses, or simply giving families the opportunity to connect with animals, we believe these experiences make a real difference.

If you're a local school, community group, or organisation looking for an engaging and interactive presentation, we'd love to hear from you. Our team can tailor presentations to suit different age groups, with hands-on displays that make learning about animals, veterinary medicine and responsible pet ownership both fun and memorable. Please don't hesitate to reach out to the clinic to find out more about how we can support your next event.

After all, caring for our community is just as important as caring for their pets. 🐾

Images: 

• Dr Andrew ready to start chatting to over 100 students 
• Rotary Event – children lining up for Easter Eggs
• CFA locals spreading eggs
• Petting Zoo ready to go