Dr. Olivia Clarke has redefined veterinary care by demonstrating that exotic animals deserve the same standard of attention as traditional pets. Since deciding to become a veterinarian at age five, she graduated in the top two percent of her class at Murdoch University with a double Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. Her career has extended well beyond small animal practice; she currently works as an avian and exotics veterinarian at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital in Sydney, where she treats a vast array of species ranging from seahorses to kangaroos.
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Dr. Clarke's expertise is backed by a Master’s in Avian Medicine and membership qualifications in both Unusual Pet Medicine and Surgery and Avian Medicine and Surgery. She was motivated to pursue avian and exotic medicine after noticing that many of these patients were frequently viewed as too complex for advanced care. She aims to challenge this perception, stating, “So many of these animals were treated as too difficult to treat, or as low value animals that could simply be replaced.”
Transitioning from general practice to focusing on exotic animals was initially straightforward for Dr. Clarke, but living through that change proved challenging. Her move from Perth to Sydney involved adapting to a new environment while handling the demands of exclusively treating avian and exotic patients and studying for membership examinations. Despite contemplating a return home due to the pressures, she chose to stay, ultimately finding her place and forging meaningful connections in her new city.
Later, a significant shift in her career came when she opted to leave full-time clinical work, an experience that sparked an identity crisis. The long-held belief that being a veterinarian was tied solely to clinical practice made it difficult for her to embrace her new roles in education, content creation, and marketing. This led her to question if she was still a “real” veterinarian. Dr. Clarke explored these feelings and recognized that her skills and training had value beyond traditional practice.
With a hybrid career combining clinical work and other professional pursuits, Dr. Clarke no longer views these roles as contradictory. Instead, she appreciates the diverse applications of her veterinary training, emphasizing that veterinarians are equipped with valuable skills useful in various fields, including education and public health.
Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Clarke cites passion, dedication, and self-belief as qualities that have propelled her forward. Maintaining self-belief has proven difficult but essential, especially during times of transition. She acknowledges experiencing imposter syndrome but has used resources like the book "Presence" by Amy Cuddy to better understand and navigate these feelings.
To manage the stress common in the veterinary profession, Dr. Clarke emphasizes the importance of taking time away from work. She believes burnout among veterinarians is a major concern that cannot be addressed with superficial solutions. Comprehensive changes to the profession—such as improved pay, flexible hours, and better patient care policies—are necessary to create a more sustainable field.
Dr. Clarke’s career highlights the importance of embracing discomfort as a precursor to growth. From her move across Australia to her decision to pursue non-traditional roles, each challenge has led to personal and professional development. She advocates for broader definitions of veterinary success and hopes to inspire students to recognize that there are multiple legitimate career paths available after graduation.
Ultimately, Dr. Clarke exemplifies how reinvention in a veterinary career does not diminish one’s identity as a veterinarian but instead expands the ways one can contribute to the field. Her story serves as a reminder of the vast potential within veterinary medicine.