South African veterinarian and award-winning writer Caitlin Venniker is pulling back the curtain on life in veterinary medicine with the release of her memoir, Unleashed: A Vet’s Memoir of Heartache, Hairballs and Hope.
The book traces her journey from her student days at Onderstepoort, South Africa’s only veterinary training institution, to private practice, with experiences spanning the United Kingdom, the Middle East and South Africa.
Filled with humour, heartbreak and behind-the-scenes insights, the memoir explores the realities of life as a veterinarian, from midnight emergencies and demanding clients to unforgettable animals and the emotional toll of the profession.
We spoke to Venniker about the inspiration behind the book, the lessons she has learned throughout her career and the animals that left a lasting impression.
Why Caitlin Venniker decided to write Unleashed
For Venniker, writing a memoir was never part of a grand plan.
Instead, it evolved naturally from a lifelong love of writing and a fortunate change of direction.
“Writing the book was less a conscious decision and more an accidental turn of events. I’ve always loved writing. I did well in some competitions overseas and wasn’t sure if the next step was to launch into a novel.”
“I decided to join a writing class and, as luck would have it, the fiction class was closed at that time. I joined the non-fiction class just for fun and things grew from there.”
The process also changed her perspective on storytelling.
“What I didn’t expect was how writing real people has kind of ruined fictional characters for me. Real people are just so funny, unpredictable and ‘alive’. I learnt a lot from writing about them.”§
Three words that define the memoir
Asked to describe Unleashed in just three words, Venniker kept it simple.
“My first word would be ‘fun’ because I really enjoyed the whole process, and then ‘honest’ and, I guess, ‘vulnerable’.”
Life after Onderstepoort
For many aspiring veterinarians, Onderstepoort is considered one of the most respected institutions in the country.
Venniker says the university prepared her well, but entering practice still came with challenges.
“Onderstepoort prepares new graduates extremely well; I’m grateful that I’ve been able to study there.”
She explains that one of the biggest adjustments was learning how to process information from clients and identify the most important details when diagnosing animals.
“At first there’s a steep learning curve to quickly process all the information the client gives you and to figure out what is important and how all the symptoms do or don’t relate to each other.”
The cow case she never forgot
Like many young professionals, Venniker experienced moments of uncertainty early in her career.
One case involving a cow remains particularly memorable.
“I got called out on a weekend to a cow with a big tear in her udder. The farmer looked at me with big eyes and handed me a dirty, ripped-off teat that he had picked out of the dirt and kept in his fridge for me!”
Although she had never performed surgery on an udder before, she relied on her training and some quick research.
“The principles of surgery are pretty consistent – and Google was there to give me a few tips!”
What pet owners don’t always see
Many pet owners only interact with veterinarians during short consultations, but Venniker says there is often far more happening behind the scenes.
“When a vet walks into the consultation room, they may have just diagnosed a pet they’ve treated for years with a terminal cancer, or had to put down a young animal because it had a disease that was preventable with vaccinations. It can be tough.”
She also has some advice for owners with pets receiving treatment.
“Visiting goes a long way to cheering up animals in hospital, and snacks go a looong way to cheering up vets.”
Coping with grief in veterinary medicine
One of the recurring themes in Unleashed is the emotional impact of losing patients.
Venniker says every veterinarian develops their own way of coping.
“I remember one equine clinic in Joburg that, when they couldn’t save a horse and had to put it down, the vets would later down a shot of Amarula together.”
“That’s not necessarily a healthy coping strategy [laughs] but I like the ‘togetherness’ of it, and taking a moment to acknowledge what has happened.”
Outside of work, she finds comfort in her own rescue animals.
“Having a little collection of rescue animals reminds me that there are still good things in the world.”
The dog that stole her heart
While the book is filled with memorable animals, one stands above the rest.
“I’d probably have to say Smiley.”
The cross-breed dog suffered a spinal injury but made a lasting impression on everyone who met him.
“His name really suited him because he had a great smile and was generous with them.”
How rescue animals changed her perspective
Venniker shares her home with a collection of rescue animals, including a desert dog and a one-eared cat.
She believes rescue pets have taught her some of life’s most valuable lessons.
“They taught me that any animal can be someone’s best friend.”
“Rescues can be quite shut down at first, and lacking in confidence, but if you give them a chance, they just blossom.”
She says some of their talents continue to surprise her.
“Our dog loves to play hide-and-seek. Our cat learnt to high-five. It’s very rewarding.”
What would her pets think of the book?
Venniker already knows which pet would be her biggest supporter.
“I’m pretty sure Ziggy, being a dog, would think everything I wrote was brilliant and hilarious. He’d laugh and cry at all the right moments and buy 10 copies to give to all of his friends.”
As for the cat?
“Gorbi, our cat, would be far too busy to read it.”
FAQ
Who is Caitlin Venniker?
Caitlin Venniker is a South African veterinarian and award-winning writer who has released the memoir Unleashed: A Vet’s Memoir of Heartache, Hairballs and Hope.
What is Unleashed about?
The memoir explores Venniker’s experiences as a veterinarian, covering her studies, career, memorable animal patients and the emotional realities of veterinary medicine.
Where did Caitlin Venniker study?
She studied veterinary science at Onderstepoort, South Africa’s only veterinary training institution.
Is Unleashed a true story?
Yes. The book is a memoir based on Venniker’s real-life experiences working as a veterinarian.
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