Our dedicated team of interns are qualified veterinary surgeons spending 12 months at our practice, where they play a key role within the clinical care team, having daily involvement in routine and cutting-edge surgery, and a structured teaching programme including presentations and seminars to help augment clinical learning.
We caught up with Anouck, who joined our advanced orthopaedic and neurosurgery internship programme in 2024, to share how it’s going.
Name: Anouck Bollez, DVM
Job title: Advanced Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Intern
University: Ghent University
Home: Belgium
Anouck: I am originally from Belgium, where I graduated from Ghent University in 2018. Following graduation, I gained four years of experience in first opinion practice with a strong emphasis on soft tissue surgery. To further refine my surgical knowledge and skills, I earned a Certificate in Soft Tissue Surgery from the European School of Advanced Veterinary Studies (ESAVS).
Seeking to expand my clinical and surgical capabilities, I relocated to the UK, where I first completed a rotating internship at a multidisciplinary referral centre in Cheshire. To deepen my knowledge in orthopaedic and neurological procedures, I pursued my current surgical internship at Fitzpatrick Referrals.
How have you found your internship?
Anouck: As a Belgian veterinarian with a strong passion for surgery, joining Fitzpatrick Referrals as an advanced orthopaedic and neurosurgery intern has been one of the most challenging—and rewarding—experiences of my career. From day one, I was entrusted with significant responsibilities and quickly became immersed in the care of complex cases.
What truly sets this internship apart is the autonomy we are given in patient care. While the learning curve is steep, the support and guidance from the team make it possible to grow immensely, both in clinical skills and professional confidence.
“This is not a place where you simply observe—you actively participate, make decisions, and contribute meaningfully.”
Anouck: Although the focus is on orthopaedic surgery, the exposure we get goes far beyond that. We learn daily about anaesthesia, neurology and diagnostics. Many of the patients we treat are those for whom other clinics had no more answers—yet here, we keep searching for solutions.
An invaluable aspect of this internship is the opportunity to engage in academic research. We are encouraged and supported to write and publish a scientific paper and contribute to advancing veterinary knowledge, which is rare in a private practice setting.
Yes, it’s been a demanding year—long hours, intense cases, constant learning—but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The experience has shaped me into a stronger, more skilled, and more confident veterinarian. I truly believe there are very few places in the world where you can get this level of experience, mentorship, and growth.
If you’re looking for a place where you will be pushed, supported, and inspired every single day, Fitzpatrick Referrals might just be it.
Read about our internship programmes
We’re currently recruiting for our internships – see our careers page for the latest opportunities
