Dr Alex Rasmussen
Young Member Representative – ACV Executive
Alex Rasmussen is a Mixed Practice Veterinarian, who has traversed the east coast in his early years, chasing down that perfect mixed practice experience (with emphasis on the cows). The new and recent grad life has taken him all over, and provided him with the opportunity to work in a variety of clinical settings, including rural and remote, beef, dairy, equine and masses of small animals.
Alex started his higher education studying to be a High School teacher, until the draw of the veterinary industry caught his eye. Growing up on a beef and dairy property near Dalby, QLD; Alex’s fondest childhood memories are of sitting on the cattle rail watching the local vet perform preg testing, herd health programs and caesarians. When the thought of wrangling a classroom full of grade 9 boys was wearing thin, running a mob of bulls through the crush sounded a whole lot better. Swapping into vet school was the best thing Alex ever did, and has allowed him to pursue that childhood dream of veterinary medicine, while also applying his passion for education and learning along the way.
Alex’s new grad pathway began back in his hometown of Dalby, working in a busy mixed practice with an emphasis on cattle work. Trying his hand in the extensive beef and intensive feedlot industries, as well as dipping a toe into dairy work (what little is left in South East QLD these days), Alex was drawn back to his roots in the Dairy game, and moved down to Far South NSW to chase more intensive, dairy based workload.
His appointment as the Young Member Representative within the ACV Executive Committee has provided Alex with an outlet to join his passion for veterinary medicine with his love of teaching and nurturing students. This role involves supporting vet students throughout their studies, assisting in the transition between student and new grad vet, and the progression through to recent grad and beyond. The veterinary industry, vet schools and vet students are evolving constantly, so adapting workflows and support systems is essential in ensuring the success of our up and coming vets.
When not in the clinic Alex prefers to adventure in the outdoors; enjoying open water swimming, surfing and getting out on the bike. His advice for anyone that’ll listen; jump into the community and utilise the resources you’ve got at hand. If you’re in the bush, play footy, go to rodeos and campdrafts, and enjoy the vast outdoors. If you’re nearer to the coast, swim in the ocean, climb mountains, and join the local run club. Contribute to your local community, and surround yourself with likeminded people. Sometimes the quietest and most remote places have the most to give.
For the new grads, his advice is to push yourself and try your best, you don’t have to ‘fake it till you make it’. Surround yourself with people you can learn from, work hard to educate yourself and promote your own progression and learning, and put yourself in the position to learn. No-one ever got better staying comfortable. Push your boundaries, work hard, and take control of your own career. Soon enough you’ll be the great vet that the student or new grad looks up to.
