A Student Vet Nurse (SVN) here at Willows has recently played a vital part in a major operation to cure a dog\u2019s lameness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While SVN Emma Paul was not directly involved in the surgery to repair a damaged cranial cruciate ligament, her role was still essential to proceedings, as she used her sign language skills to communicate throughout with the 10-year-old cocker spaniel\u2019s owner, who is deaf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emma explained: \u201cCommunication was initially difficult between our client and clinicians, so I was asked if I could help with explaining the planned treatment and operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have been signing for as long as I can remember as my older brother is deaf and I grew up going to the BID Deaf Cultural Centre in Birmingham, so was delighted to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe owner was really happy when I went out and introduced myself. He was so relieved that there was someone who could understand him and explain all the important information to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was also extremely rewarding for me to be able to use my skills to help, as I know my brother struggled with going to places and not having someone there who could communicate. It was very frustrating for him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe owner has requested I interpret for him when he and his pet come in again for future consultations and I have since used my sign language to help one of his friends who is also deaf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m so glad my sign language skills were able to help with this case and I will hopefully be able to assist with clients who are members of the deaf community in the future.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The further good news is that the cocker spaniel\u2019s operation went well, as Kinley Smith, our RCVS and European specialist in small animal surgery, successfully repaired the CCL damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Smith said: \u201cEmma\u2019s sign language skills were a huge help in this case and ensured the owner was kept fully informed throughout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very conscious that having a sick or injured pet can be a stressful and anxious time for owners, so we always strive to communicate clearly and openly with them about the way forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn this case, it was proving problematic but Emma really made the difference, not just for the owner, for all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"