For more than a decade, a Filipina mother of four has been ensuring that the health of the UAE's pet population is well cared for at practices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
ABU DHABI // When Dr Gaye Miranda Paita landed her first job in the UAE, at Dubai’s Petzone Chalets in 2006, she was ecstatic.
The job enabled her to use her degree in veterinary medicine, which she earned from the University of the Philippines, to continue practising her chosen profession.
“The UAE has been good to me all these years,” said the 56-year-old, who also holds a degree in dairy microbiology.
“I’ve been so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work in the veterinary field.”
Being able to practise in the UAE, however, can be a laborious, time-consuming process.
To qualify, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment requires vets to apply for and sit an official exam.
Non-Emirati applicants also need to show proof of an equivalent, attested certificate from another country, proof of veterinary work experience, a professional regulation commission licence from their home country and a request letter from a potential employer for the applicant to be able to sit the exam.
Before moving to the UAE in 2006, Dr Paita, a mother of four, managed her own animal clinic in Los Banos, Laguna province, for five years. She then ran a veterinary clinic in Calamba, in the same province, for three years.
“My sisters, who were already in Dubai, encouraged me to come here and set up my own clinic,” she said.
“It wasn’t easy without a sponsor so I ended up being an employee.”
After an eight-month stint at Petzone, she worked for the British Veterinary Centre in Abu Dhabi, Eurovets Veterinary and the National Veterinary Clinic.
She is currently at the Canadian Veterinary Clinic, working as its compliance administrator and resident veterinarian.
Dr Paita said the profession was fulfilling and rewarding.
“We managed to save a German shepherd who suffered from heat stroke, while a dying hamster recovered under my care.
“I also successfully treated a dog with parvoviral infection, a highly contagious viral disease that can be life-threatening.”
Dr Paita works alongside another Filipina veterinarian, Dr Sheila Jamora, at the clinic, where cats, rabbits, hamsters, birds and dogs are currently being cared for.
The vets perform spaying and neutering, microchipping, vaccination and dental care, among other services.
“We also have street cats here from Feline Friends and Fund and Feed,” she said.
“I like working with animals and it can be tremendously satisfying to be able to save them.”
Dr Paita has also had extensive experience in caring for exotic animals. “I’ve treated a marmoset monkey, a sugar glider [possum], a lion, snakes, rabbits and turtles. I’m happy to help these exotic breeds lead a happy and healthy life.”
But being a vet also has its share of challenges, such as receiving complaints.
“Instead of feeling disheartened I try to keep on top of changing standards, trends, new drugs, treatments and therapies in my field,” she said.
“Vet practice is complex. Animals do not talk. Our job can be emotionally taxing, especially when we’re dealing with upset clients and sick or dying animals.”
But good communication skills can build a strong a bond with clients, she said.
“There are cases when we need to do a battery of tests, which can be costly. Many [clients] consider their pets to be members of the family and are willing to spend more to help them get better.”
Dr Paita, who turned her passion for pets as a child into a career, hopes that there will be more animal shelters created around the country to care for abandoned and abused animals.
“It’s so heartbreaking to see pets dumped on the streets to fend for themselves,” she said.
“We can judge someone’s heart by his or her treatment of animals. After all, how we treat the animals around us says so much about who we are.”
rruiz@thenational.ae
