Heike Botha BVetMed, MVetMed, DACVECC
Education
- Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care
- Residency, Veterinary Specialty Hospital, Sorrento Valley, San Diego
- Rotating Internship at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland
- Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Veterinary Medicine (BVetMed, MVetMed), University of Zurich, Switzerland. Masters thesis written with the University of Zurich’s Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife.
Best Part of My Job:
First and foremost are the stories behind our pets and their families. I enjoy being an advocate for pets and pet parents alike and supporting them through distressing and sudden events. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to support someone through what is often an emotional time and to be able to help navigate having to make difficult decisions under complex circumstances.
Special Talent:
Definitely polytrauma (severe trauma) cases that have immediate stabilization needs. These require quick decision-making. I enjoy being able to focus on the tasks in front of us and needing to quickly think through and prioritize every step where every second could count. Polytrauma cases need everyone on the team working together as a unit – these cases really highlight what a team effort our profession is and when it works and the outcome is good, everyone knows they played an important role in achieving this.
One Thing People May Not Know About Me:
I love crafting – knitting, and sewing, and I even make my own soap.
What You’ll Find Me Doing in My Free Time:
I’m married to a veterinarian, and we love hiking and camping with our Australian shepherd Sammie, and our son. We also have a pug mix named Haggis (who doesn’t love hiking), and a cat named Yuriko. I have lovingly named our pets “the leftovers” since they all found our way to our family after being left behind in some way or another. I am grateful they did. We have a great vegetable garden and I enjoy canning and preserving those vegetables.