PDSA vet hangs up stethoscope after almost four decades
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Vet charity PDSA is bidding a fond farewell to one of its Senior Veterinary Surgeons, Elaine Pendlebury, who is retiring after 37 years loyal service.
Elaine will be very much missed by colleagues and supporters alike for her wisdom, expertise and dedication to the UK’s leading veterinary charity – a cause very close to her heart.
Graduating with a BVetMed in 1978, Elaine devoted her entire veterinary career to helping sick and injured pets cared for by PDSA pet hospitals. She worked in every area of veterinary care before gaining managerial responsibility, finally reaching the position of Senior Veterinary Surgeon for Science and Welfare.
Elaine has a special interest in the bond between pets and their owners, and has helped pioneer the promotion of responsible pet ownership. A big part of her PDSA role involved regular media appearances on a wide range of issues and projects. TV appearances include BBC’s The One Show, Channel 5 News and most recently as an expert on Channel 4’s Dogs – their secret lives.
Elaine was also invited onto Celebrity Antiques Road Trip on BBC Two to share her extensive knowledge of the role of animals in wartime. She has conducted thousands of radio interviews on almost every pet subject: from cats listening to rock music, to dogs drinking beer. She has been interviewed in all sorts of location, including windswept beaches, busy surgeries, city centres and even a motorway service station restroom!
Working for PDSA has involved Elaine in some very special and unique situations. She said: “It’s been a hugely enjoyable and varied 37 years. Some of the stand-out moments include doing a live TV interview at the crack of dawn on a field in Scarborough to award Dotty the donkey a PDSA Commendation for saving the life of Stanley the sheep, and being the mystery guest on the BBC Radio Two Breakfast show.
"More recently I have had the chance to embrace more modern communication channels such as hosting live Facebook and Twitter chats to provide advice to pet owners.”
PDSA Head of Pet Health and Welfare, Nicola Martin, said: “We are very sad to be saying goodbye to Elaine. Her outstanding commitment to PDSA has helped thousands of pets and their owners, both as a practising vet and through raising awareness of key pet health topics through her extensive media activity.
"We thank her for her contribution to animal welfare, for her tireless work and dedication, and we wish her the very best in her retirement.”
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