Carly Backhouse-Smith – Veterinarian Surgeon
Carly joined our team in January 2020.
Which pets have left paw prints on your heart?
I enjoy rescuing pets, either via adoption or fostering.
We have a Maltese called ‘Beau’ who came into our lives 8-years-ago as a loveable, yet older dog, needing rescue via HAART. He is now nearly 16 and doing as well as could be expected for a ‘senior man’.
We also have ‘Rattie’ who is a 7-year-old Chihuahua who came into our lives after his previous owners couldn’t look after him. He has a funny jaw and looks like a pirate.
‘Alfie’ is our very lovable Domestic Shorthair, who is nearly 5. He came from the Shenton Park Cat Haven, is very placid and lives on our beds most of the time.
Why did you become a vet and what do you enjoy most about your job?
I grew up on a farm in the central wheatbelt and animal care was part of my upbringing. It was the norm to have several ‘domestic’ and multiple ‘farm’ pets. I enjoyed looking after them and understanding their needs.
I enjoy the spontaneity of my job, whether its puppy vaccination time through to senior pet management. Supporting the pets’ journey throughout its life journey is something our industry prides itself on.
How do you relax when you’re not at work?
I have 3 boys, ranging from 12 to 1, so downtime for me is pretty unpredictable. Just being their ‘mum’ is simply enough though, it’s amazing and crazy and certainly my biggest achievement.
My passions are art, yoga and cross-country running, yet not at the same time ?. I’d run around the paddocks as a kid… and now find solitude in running around the river’s edge at the start of my day.
Share something weird or wonderful about yourself.
I started my career in Darwin in 2004 and loved the essence of what the Territory was all about. I have also been a lecturer of vet nursing at TAFE for many years and take pride in being a part of many new graduate pathways.
I also love oil painting and had always wished to be an artist; it had certainly helped me carve my way into vet school.
