Britta Kahler - Vet
- How long have you been a vet?
- Nearly ten years. I graduated as a vet in the year 2000 in Berlin, Germany.
- Where did you train?
- I studied veterinary medicine at the Free University of Berlin, Germany, in the year 1998 I took a sabbatical for 6 months to work with vets in Zimbabwe and Namibia. After graduation I worked for two years in the University Hospital for Small Animals, Berlin, where I received my doctorate in 2002. In 2004 I specialized as a Veterinary Oftalmologist doing the Postgraduate Course in the UAB (Universitat Autonma de Barcelona).
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- Why did you want to become a vet?
- I grew up up animals, mainly dogs and horses, and since I was small I always had a strong interest in medicine, through my father I guess, who is an orthopedic. I guess I just thought it to be the perfect combination, and it proved right, I really love my job.
- Where did you work before moving to Barcelona?
- Ii worked in the University Hospital for Small Animals, Berlin.
- Why did you decide to move to Barcelona?
- My husband (boyfriend at that time) was already living in Barcelona when we started going out. So once I finished my doctorate I thought it would be a great opportunity to live and work somewhere where the weather is great and the beach is next door!
- How difficult/easy was it for you to find work as a vet in Barcelona?
- I dedicated my first year in Barcelona to learning Spanish and fighting the buerocratic war of getting my studies homologated in order to become a member of the Barcelona Veterinary College, which was quite a nightmare. Anyway, once I got the magic number of the Veterinary College, I was lucky to find a job just in the neighboring village, Alella, where I worked from 2004 until the beginning of this year.
- How did working as a vet within a practice compare to doing it in Germany?
- In Berlin I was working with a team of specialists and all the equipment required. The philosophy was that we would give maximum attention and care to each patient, and if a treatment was advisable, it would be done. I think the biggest difference I found in working here was that many times if the owner and the veterinarian were hesitant about a treatment/surgery, they used a “wait and let's see...” approach. I find, as the vet, I have to explain to the owner all the options and the consequences, although the owner has to make the decision with our guidance.
- You are starting up your own veterinary practice in Alella, why did you decide to go down that route?
- There were two main reasons to start up a new business with my partner Laia who is a catalan vet. First, we wanted to be able to give the same kind of commitment and caring attention to the pets and pet parents that I experienced while working in Berlin. We are opening not only a clinic which will provide the maximum service from the veterinary side, but also a dog parlour, a spa with hydromassage and a boutique. We want to meet all the needs of our clients on the same high levelThe image of our clinic “BITXOS” will be modern and professional, but also warm-hearted. We want the clients (pets and owners) to feel that they are in good hands and their concerns are taken seriously.
The second reason to start up our own business was to make family life and work compatible. Both of us shave children, and it was just no longer possible to be working til 21:00 everyday, do night duties and work every weekends. But I love my job, so we decided to go for it. We have both been working in this village for time, so people know us, which will hopefully make the start easier.
- How have you found the process of setting up your own business in Catalunya?
- Challenging! But there are excellent no-cost services available for people like us who wish to start out, e.g. Barcelona Activa from the Generalitat is helping out with the business plan and they offer a variety of courses on all kind of aspects in order to help business start-ups. Further, every woman is supported economically by the Generalitat if starting a new business.
- What were your biggest challenges?
Making the decision to start a business when the world is only talking about crisis. But we believe that our commitment of service shall help us though.
Besides that is was not too easy to get the financial back up and also to have patience, patience and patience.
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- You are also working as a vet in Barcelona solely for members of the International Community, how did this come about?
Most of my friends have a german/dutch/english speaking pediatrician, gynecologist, dentist etc. It is not only the language, I think, that makes you feel more comfortable, but also to have the same cultural understanding of things.
In collaboration with a veterinary hospital , SURVET, in Barcelona, I pass consultancy on certain days during the week. We are fully equipped to give the patient the most complete veterinary service. This in creases the geographical boundaries of my practice, including the metropolitan area of Barcelona and the surrounding areas. Pet parents who cannot come to Alella due to transport limitations can be attended to in Barcelona as well.
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- What differences in attitudes towards pets have you noticed among Catalans and those of the International Community?
- Everyone has a different way of showing affection, a generalized attitude would not be fair.
- What have you found are the main ailments that dogs & cats suffer from in Barcelona?
- I think the general diseases are similar, but there is a special focus on the prevention/treatment of diseases that are not seen in northern/middle european countries as they are transmitted by certain types of mosquitos, ticks. These diseases can be prevented (altough not 100%) by treating the dog with spot-on products or special collars.
- What advice would you give to those thinking of having a dog or cat in Catalunya?
- A cat can live perfectly in a flat and they are more capable of spending a good part of the day on their own, even though they love company. If you think about having a dog, one should consider the size as it is not the same to have a small or la large dog.- Also: how many hours you would have to leave them alone. They love to be with their “pack”, so being all day alone, even if you have a big garden, is a possible risk factor for behavioural problems.
in Barcelona it is DIFFICULT to take your dog in a shop, restaurants or hotel. When you go on holiday, you will have to find your pet a holiday home. You have to be willing to adapt your lifestyle to your new family member, and then you can be sure it will be a fantastic experience for both sides.
- How can people find you?
Whoever wants to come to the surgery or has a question can call me on +34 65 99 60 110 or send me an email at info@vet-barcelona.com. We will be opening “BITXOS”, the veterinary center in Alella in January 2010 and anyone is most welcome to see us there as well.
(Oct 09)
