Veterinarians, vet technicians, practice managers, rescuers, behaviorists, nutritionists, trainers, volunteers, and other animal professionals are the backbone of pet ownership. Helping pets and their families live in harmony and health together.

Catster wants to highlight some of these underrated champions of the animal world—who we like to refer to as Heroes of The Pet World.

We will interview some of the most inspiring vet clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, and rehabilitation organizations around the world to share all the wonderful and oftentimes harsh experiences they face while working to help, heal, guide, revitalize, and protect our furry family members.

These are the stories of unsung animal superheroes!

Meet Professor Chris Tan, a Specialist in Surgery at SASH Alexandria and Hospital Director.

Mission

In your own words, what is the Small Animal Specialist Hospital’s mission and purpose?

SASH’s mission is to help pets and their families live their best life. This is achieved through our unique combination of multidisciplinary 24/7 emergency and specialist veterinary care, world-class facilities and total commitment to our patients and their families.

What is your individual mission or goal, as a vet professional and as a person?

I am passionate about all areas of veterinary surgery, especially orthopaedics and education. My goal is to develop the next generation of highly skilled specialist surgeons in Australia and across the world and to improve patient outcomes.

Day-to-Day Experience

What is it like being a vet professional in Australia and at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital?

Being a vet is something that I had always wanted to do and brings new challenges everyday. There is nothing quite like the feeling of seeing sick or injured patients being returned to their owners after making a full recovery. Here at SASH I feel very lucky to work alongside experts in a wide range of disciplines. So I feel comfortable that we are always providing the highest level of care possible.

How big is your team?

The SASH Alexandria team is almost 100 people strong. This includes our amazing veterinarians, nurses, client services, and support team members who work around the clock to make sure the hospital runs seamlessly.

Do you have staffing shortages and how do you deal with them?

In general the veterinary industry in Australia, and many parts of the world is experiencing staff shortages. However, we are fortunate at SASH Alexandria to be in a very strong position. We find that many talented people within the vet industry choose to work for SASH because of our reputation and proven track record of high quality of veterinary care.

How many animals on average do you help on a weekly basis?

We see between 100 and 200 cases per week at SASH Alexandria.

Challenges & Rewards

What is the hardest part of your job? How do you handle euthanasia and patient loss?

The hardest part of my job is balancing my busy schedule of being a Specialist Surgeon while also providing leadership, as Hospital Co-Director to an exceptionally high performing team. Euthanasia and patient loss is never easy. However, I am thankful that as a surgeon, outcomes in my field are generally positive.

What are some of the biggest challenges that your organization faces?

For a relatively new hospital like SASH Alexandria, our biggest challenge is awareness of our services. Lots of local pet owners don’t know we’re here 24/7.

What is the most rewarding part of doing what you guys do?

The most rewarding part of my job is sending home a mended patient to their loving family. We’re really fortunate to be able to work with some of the loveliest and very dedicated owners.

Future

What are SASH’s main goals for the future?

One of our goals is to always innovate and focus on ways to improve patient outcomes. This means investing in our people, facilities, and looking for opportunities for

How can the general public help make your lives easier?

We always recommend making sure your pet gets veterinary treatment in a timely manner. Delaying veterinarian care can be problematic, especially if you notice something isn’t quite right. Regular check ups with your local veterinarian are essential for picking up any issues that may be present and for keeping your pet up-to-date with preventative health. If you are concerned about something after-hours, a 24/7 facility like SASH Alexandria is always available to see your pet.

Stories

What are some of the funniest or most outrageous pet names you’ve encountered?

One day we had a “Harry Potter” and “Hagrid” in the hospital with us at the same time so it felt more like Hogwarts!

How to Support

If someone wants to visit, join, support, or volunteer at the SASH Australia, where can they find more information and get in touch?

If anyone needs emergency or specialist veterinary services, we are open 24/7, 365 days of the year. Our contact details can be found on www.sashvets.com. There, they can also find information about career opportunities within SASH.

Anything else you’d like to tell the pet community?

SASH Alexandria has been growing its services and offerings greatly since we first opened in 2023. We are now proud to offer 24/7 emergency & critical care, surgery, internal medicine, dermatology, oncology, and reproduction. Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to find out more about any of these specialist veterinary services.