World Veterinary Day - blog by Seth Burdick

I am originally from Sackets Harbor, New York, up near Niagara Falls, and I graduated over here from Glasgow Vet School in 2020.

Prior to vet school, I published a thesis on freeze-tolerance in frogs while completing an MSc and even worked with crocs and alligators as a professional reptile keeper in Florida zoos. After vet school, I worked three years in England at a busy small animal primary surgery.

During placements at vet school, the public health aspect of our profession always intrigued me so I joined Food Standards Scotland as a Trainee Official Veterinarian (OV) in October 2024. After a comprehensive four-month training period, mentored on a one-to-one basis by one of the Vet Advisors in FSS, I qualified as a full OV and I now lead the Official Controls delivery in one of Scotland's largest red meat abattoirs, supported by a team of Meat Hygiene Inspectors.

If you're interested in veterinary work as part of a bigger picture, we OVs make up part of Scotland's front-line defence against epidemics and notifiable diseases.

Animal welfare is also a major part of my everyday work, though at first that may seem counterintuitive. As an OV, I enforce welfare laws up to the point of slaughter, including reporting concerns to other Competent Authorities, as required. This ensures that not only is the meat produced both healthy and of high quality, but also that the animals are treated humanely every step of the way.

At times there are competing interests, as things like structural improvements I expect can have a substantial cost involved. Good conversational skills and an ability to apply the laws we enforce both fairly and responsibly are vital to being a good OV.

If this all sounds overwhelming for you as a prospective candidate, please know that you have an excellent support network in Food Standards Scotland. Both my peers and managers have always been there to offer help and support if needed.

I hope to make being an OV in Scotland my long-term career, as I both very much like the work as well as the team I'm a part of. The great pension and good work/life balance sure don't hurt either.

While becoming an OV may not have been your reason for going to vet school, perhaps like me you'll find it's the career you've been looking for.