Neuterclinic.com
SURGICAL EMS AT NEUTER CLINIC FOR VETERINARY STUDENTS
After working with many charity organisations and 'protectoras de animales' in Spain, it became very obvious that the needs of veterinary students and veterinary surgeons, should be united with the needs of these organisations.
These organisations have very limited funds available for neutering and other surgical procedures and this can restrict the number of abandoned animals they can rescue, all the refugios are full of cats and dogs waiting for these surgeries. Once these animals have been neutered they can be rehomed all over Europe.
Newly quailified veterinary students have spent years learning the theory of surgical procedures with very little opportunity to perform them. We help provide the final piece giving practical surgical experience with cat and dog spays, castrates and soft tissue surgery
AFTER ONE WEEK AT NEUTERCLINIC.COM
YOU RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE FOR 45 HOURS CPD
All veterinary students and newly qualified veterinary surgeons have immense knowledge and enthusiasm to help animals, but lack the third piece of experience. That is where we help.
I have seen the veterinary world change an incredible amount over the last twenty years and you have to be a strong character to stay in the profession. With the wrong mentoring it can become a fearful profession and I have seen many excellent vets leave the profession for the wrong reasons and this sometimes is the result of fear of not being prepared. Their knowledge is immense and their largest worry can be insufficient surgical experience.
Profit margins for established veterinary practices are so much smaller and experienced vets have to spend their day not just caring for the animals, but keeping the practice in a positive financial state. Time available to spend with a new veterinary graduate while they perform their first bitch spay and other neutering procedures, can be very restrictive, resulting in the learning environment becoming very stressful with the added financial pressures of running a veterinary practice.
We provide an environment which we believe has no stress. Veterinary students and surgeons can perform these surgeries in a non commercial, non pressurised atmosphere with no ticking clock.
We fully believe it takes as long as it takes to perform the surgeries. You have our undevided attention and our vast experience as veterinary surgeons to give you support and advice.
We take pride that our surgical facilities are of a high standard. We not only want what is best for the animals, when they are castrated and spayed, but also feel it is important for yourself to use anaesthetics protocols, that you will be using in your veterinary surgical career in small animal private practie
RECENT REVIEWS OF NEUTER CLINIC
Dear Wayne & Rachel
Thank you so much for the past week. I had the best time and learnt loads
Thanks Wayne for being so patient all the time.
Hope to see you again
June 2024
Dear Rachel & Wayne
Thank you so much for such a wonderful week. We have all learned and developed so much. Wayne has been so patient and supportive. We are so grateful for this experience. Thank you so much for all that you do for the cats and dogs, you are making such a positive difference to their lives.
This experience has given us the opportunity to learn in a supportive environment, with no judgement. This is something we haven’t had much experience of in the UK when on placement. We hope you know how much you have helped our confidence. We hope to return again soon and will be recommending you to everyone
Thank you for helping the animals
Abi, Ella, Shelley, Georgia and Ecin
June 2024
Dear Wayne and Rachel,
I really enjoyed my week at the neuter clinic. Thank you for being so acomodating and patient with me. It was nice getting to do my first surgery as a vet here. I would love to come again one day.
Faqcha
June 2024
We have had an amazing week here in Spain and are so grateful for your hospitality and patience. This experience has been crucial in developing our surgical skills and has been an enjoyable learning journey.
Thank you for everything you both have done during our stay!
All the best
Zoe, Hanna and Noah
June 2024
Thank you for the last week, we have thoroughly enjoyed it! The videos really helped to review before and after each day. The was definitely the working holiday we all needed
Rebecca, Dani and Lucy
June 2024
Dear Wayne and Rachel
That you so very much for the past week, its been a brilliant experience that’s boosted our confidence and knowledge by leaps and bounds. Wayne’s kindness, patience and guidance, alongside providing such a non-judgemental space, truly was what we needed and exceeded our expectations
Rachel’s warm welcome, made us feel right at home
Thanks again for a fantastic week ! And for everything you do for the strays and shelter animals, it is truly admirable
Cassondra & Nicole
May 2024
Historical Testimonials Of Veterinary Students and Qualified
My time at The Neuter Clinic was the most rewarding veterinary experience I have had to date, and one of the best professional decisions I have ever made. I started as a fourth year vet student with negligible surgical experience, and after just two weeks I was comfortable with both cat and dog spays and neuters thanks to Wayne. Wayne is an excellent surgeon and an even better teacher, providing the direction, patience, and encouragement necessary to guide students and surgeons of any level. The neuter clinic has made me confident in my surgical skills, reignited my passion for veterinary medicine, and I cannot wait to attend again!
Daniel Mastrovito June 2019
I had a wonderful time in Malaga. In just one week I was able to perform a lot of spay/neuter surgeries in both cats and dogs and feel a lot more confident doing them. Wayne is a very good instructor, giving assistance and tips as needed but also allowing me to work at my pace, gradually boosting my confidence.
Mazna June 2019
Spending 2 weeks with Wayne at The Neuter Clinic was by far the most incredible and beneficial experience I could have dreamed of as a vet student. At the end of the fortnight I was able to perform solo cat castrates, cat spays and dog castrates, and was much more comfortable carrying out bitch spays. I owe these achievements entirely to Wayne who was always so supportive and encouraging- I truly believe he was made to teach and I cannot thank him enough! I will definitely be returning in the future.
Lucy Dougal July 2019
I had the most amazing week in Malaga. As a recently graduated vet (June 2019), I was looking to improve my confidence performing routine spays and neuters and this course allowed me to do just that. Wayne is a brilliant mentor, very patient and provided a great learning environment. I would wholeheartedly recommend this course to vet students and new graduates alike.
Dr. Rebecca McCall BVM&S MRCVS July 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed my week at the neuter clinic. Wayne, his wife Rachel and their family are very welcoming, making you feel at home. Wayne is a great teacher and allows you to learn in a relaxed atmosphere. It was a brilliant experience and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to improve their surgical skills
Dr. Donna Cringles BVM&S MRCVS July 2019
I carried out 2 weeks placement at the spay and neuter clinic in Malaga and I genuinely cannot recommend this experience enough. Before this experience I was very nervous about surgery and did not feel confident about my practical skills however the practical experience that I gained was invaluable and my confidence grew massively over the 2 weeks.I found it extremely beneficial to have the opportunity to be both the surgeon and the anaesthetist, the skills I learned during this placement will not only have benefited me for upcoming placements but also for my future career. Wayne is an excellent teacher and was very encouraging and supportive throughout the placement. The accommodation was also excellent and so was the hospitality by Wayne and Rachel. I enjoyed it so much that I am planning on returning next year.
Samantha Dinnie July 2019
I spent a week at the neuter clinic prior to starting my first job and thoroughly enjoyed my experience! This week enabled me to improve my surgical skills under Wayne’s supervision in a relaxed environment without the time constraints typically faced in small animal practice. My confidence in performing cat and bitch spays in particular significantly improved due to the encouragement from Wayne and the volume of surgeries I was allowed to perform.
The clinic is run to a very high standard and I would highly recommend a placement at the neuter clinic to any students or vets wanting to develop their surgical skills.
Katherine Mitchell July 2019
As a incoming 3rd year student, I was a little nervous for the clinic, but Wayne was very patient with me and provided such amazing guidance that I feel confident not only in neuters and spays but also in my growing surgical skills. Wayne provides such a stress-free environment to really grow and truly has a passion in helping students and new grads better their surgical skills. My 2 weeks went too quickly, and I hope to come back again in the future.
Thank you again Wayne for everything. I had such an amazing time. And thank you Rachel for providing such wonderful hospitality and being patient with our lateness.
Alexia Alvarez July 2019
Without a doubt the best EMS placement I’ve done. Can’t tell anyone enough how amazing a teacher Wayne is and how much I have learned over the past week. I recommend this clinic to all vet students. A relaxed environment with involvement in every aspect of spays and castrations. I would go back again in a heartbeat and such a welcome from both Rachel and Wayne on arrival, made me feel right at home as soon as I got there.
Huge thanks to you both and good luck with the rest of the programme, what an amazing experience I’ve had.
Lucy McClung August 2019
Attending the neuter clinic with Wayne has been one of the best EMS experiences I’ve had so far in my veterinary career. I was able to perform multiple surgeries each day under Wayne’s supervision. After the first week I felt confident in the basics of spaying/neutering cats and dogs. After the second week I felt able to identify issues during surgery and began to learn how to handle them. I feel now that I am well prepared for day 1 surgeries once I finish veterinary school. Wayne is very helpful and supportive. He was great at explaining and showing us how to perform the surgeries. Him and his wife, Rachel, were very welcoming. I would recommend this experience to all clinical phase students or new grads who want to become more confident in their surgical skills.
Jordane Faith August 2019
I absolutely loved my 2 weeks at the neuter clinic. Wayne and Rachel were very welcoming and care a lot about their students. The accommodation in the annex of their house was very clean, well equipped and everything we needed was provided. The pool was also lovely! Wayne’s teaching was fantastic, he was incredibly patient with any mistakes and questions, however big or small, with the only emphasis being on using them as a learning opportunity. The balance between teaching and letting you have a go on your own was exactly right, setting a great learning environment. I was able to do several surgeries (averaging between 4 and 7 a day!) and left feeling able to perform cat and dog castrates and spays on my own, but also with a good awareness of my own limitations and when I should ask for help. Wayne also provided loads of general advice and help for starting out in practice. It was an absolute pleasure to learn from him.
Harriet Andrews September 2019
The best way to learn how to do your first surgery! Wayne is a great, calm and fun mentor who took me from never having done an operation to feeling comfortable with a bitch spay in two weeks. The days are long but worth it for the hands-on experience and responsibility that you get. Lovely accommodation and made to feel so welcome by Wayne and Rachel - they really go the extra mile for you!
Natalie Minter September 2019
I was looking for place to get more spay expreriece, but I wanted to stay in Europe. My time in Spain was great! I learn more than I expected. Wayne is very patient teacher. There is a lot of dogs without home in Spain, so I really felt I was doing something good for them too. After the training course I stayed some days in Malaga and enjoyed sun shine of Costa del Sol. Many thanks to Wayne and Rachel
Minna Latva-Somppi, dvm Finland September 2019
As a new graduate with little surgical experience I have to say I learned so much during this one week! Wayne is very patient mentor with a lot of experience and knowledge. He trusts you to do surgeries from beginning to the end and is supervising you all the time if you need help. I can say I am now more confident performing surgeries and am looking forward to do them in my practice. Would love to come back for one more week! And I have to thank Rachel for all the hospitality and help during my stay. Keep the good work!
Sanja Zagork October 2019
I can not recommend Neuter Clinic enough. My surgical confidence has drastically improved. I went from having no experience of neutering to being able to perform cat and dog neutering with almost no help. I will be happy to do them in my new job! Wayne is a fantastic teacher, he is truly passionate about both teaching and improving the lives of shelter animals. Rachel and Wayne both made me feel so welcome and comfortable in the accommodation. They are a great team!
Lottie Barrett-Hague October 2019
I genuinely could not recommend the Neuter Clinic highly enough! My time in Malaga was undoubtedly one of the most invaluable veterinary experiences I have ever had. Within just a week my confidence in surgery greatly improved having done surgeries back to back from start to finish – and this was all because of Wayne’s superb guidance. He is truly one of the best teachers I have ever worked with. In addition to his wealth of experience and knowledge, his extraordinary amount of patience, understanding, empathy and engagement never failed to impress me. This contributed to the highly relaxed, supportive, encouraging (and fun!) environment to learn – Wayne was there to help at every step of the way and I never felt unsupported or left alone. Moreover, Rachel and Wayne were extremely hospitable and welcoming back in the villa which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to have spent such a fruitful week at the Neuter Clinic and I would 100% recommend it to everyone!
Dr Letitia Pang October 2019
I would highly recommend this spay clinic! Wayne is a great teacher and strikes the right balance between allowing you to be independent whilst still offering help and support whenever you need it. He has lots of really useful advice and handy tips to offer. I had the opportunity to perform multiple surgeries every day, and I could definitely notice the difference in my surgical skills after returning back to work from the course. My main aim in attending the course as a recently graduated vet was to improve my confidence in performing bitch spays, and I feel that I achieved this goal by the end of the week. Wayne and Rachel are both very kind and great to chat to, and make you feel very welcome. A huge thank you to you both!
Dr Aimee Hesketh October 2019
My placement at The Spanish neuter clinic was one the best I have ever been on. The amount of surgery I did during my 2 weeks exceeded my expectations for a caseload. Wayne is such an amazing teacher and I felt so much more confident at doing all neutering procedures by the end of my placement all thanks to him. I was also lucky enough to be involved in other surgery such as wound management / closure and assisting with closing a pneumothorax. These are experiencing that I feel I would never have had at normal EMS in the UK, with opportunities to feel like a real practicing vet and making decisions. This experience has really prepared me for tackling surgery once I graduate and has been so valuable. It is a placement that I couldn’t recommend enough.
Hatty Robinson, BVSc 5 University of Bristol November 2019
I found the neuter clinic with Wayne absolutely fantastic. I came for one week hoping to improve my confidence with surgery before I graduate next year and I left feeling I could now do castrations alone and feel less daunted by a bitch spay. Wayne was very patient and reassuring, the atmosphere was relaxed and no pressure was applied regarding time. I would like to thank Wayne and his wife Rachel for their amazing hospitality for the week, a home away from home
Kay McAlary November 2019
Had a great two weeks spent with the clinic. I attended as a newly graduated vet and during my time there my confidence improved so much. I had the opportunity to do multiple surgeries every day and would now feel happy to perform bitch spays and cat spays unassisted. Wayne is a great teacher, very patient and has lots of really useful tips for getting you started with surgeries. I never felt rushed or unsupported. I would definitely recommend going to anyone, regardless of how little surgical experience you have. I’m really grateful to Wayne and Rachel for such a fantastic couple of weeks and thank you for your hospitality!
Dr Samantha Adams November 2019
Without a doubt the best EMS placement we have been on, Wayne is a fantastic teacher and the caseload exceeded our expectations. Not only were there many neutering surgeries but also the opportunity to help with other procedures such as stitch ups and tooth extractions. With very minimal surgical experience we were doing solo cat spays by the end of the first week.
We would recommend going for 2 weeks, to get as much as you can from the placement.
The accommodation is very good and Wayne and Rachel are extremely welcoming. We both thoroughly enjoyed our time at the neuter clinic.
Abigail McCarthy and Louise Baxter December 2019
This was probably one of the best EMS placements I have ever done. I began this placement with very minimal surgical experience, but Wayne is an amazing teacher and mentor and within a week I was comfortably doing cat speys and castrates by myself. This placement has boosted my confidence with surgery and even basic clinical skills like inserting catheters, administering drugs and vaccinations, ET tubes and drawing blood. The two weeks flew by too quickly and I would definitely consider coming back for another two after I graduate for some practice and to refine my surgical skills. I could not recommend this placement strongly enough.
I would also like to thank Wayne and Rachel for hosting us for the two weeks at their home and making sure we were comfortable, driving us to the supermarket/bus stop when required and helping us in whichever way we needed. It felt like home :) Thank you once again!
Shreya Prakash December 2019
The neuter clinic has been an incredibly valuable experience, and something I would definitely recommend. The two weeks gave me so much more confidence in my surgery, and I learned more than I thought possible in that time. Wayne is an excellent teacher and is so patient, providing a relaxed and supportive environment that makes each day an absolute pleasure!
Danielle Herrmann New Zealand January 2020
Although I qualified 15years ago I hadn’t operated for the last 10years while having time out from work to start a family and since returning to part time consulting only locum positions. I wanted to return to operating at work but was really worried about turning up somewhere and facing being in theatre with a nurse expecting me to know what I was doing since I’d been qualified for so long ! But in reality I’d completely forgotten how to scrub, gown, drape etc and I remembered dreading the bitch spay back in the days of my full time job, and had a few bad experiences which had left their mark on my confidence!
Spending the week with Wayne in Spain was brilliant- no question was too silly, he has a wealth of experience and so many handy tips and snippets of advice to offer. Not to mention the patience of a saint and a heart of gold- volunteering as he does for the animal shelters out there. His family welcomed us into their home and the shelter staff and volunteers were all wonderfully friendly. I regained confidence handling instruments and suture materials and felt under no pressure at any time to hurry. Plus met some gorgeous doggies! I hope to return to work with renewed confidence but would love to come back to brush up on other skills such as dental extractions and other surgical procedures in the future.
Elaine Wild January 2020
I had an amazing week at the neuter clinic in Malaga and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their surgical skills. I'm in a new graduate programme and I was struggling with basic surgeries, especially bitch spays. I found everything I was looking for at the Neuter Clinic: supervised surgery in a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere. Wayne is an amazing teacher. He is very calm and patient and you can take as much time for the procedures as you need and he is always there to support you or to scrub in when help is needed. Wayne and Rachel both made me feel very welcome in their villa and the spanish sun made me feel like being on holidays. My confidence in surgery greatly improved within my time in spain and I'm very grateful to Wayne and Rachel for this experience.
Dr. Joana Bachmann January 2020
I absolutely recommend this clinic for anyone looking to gain experience and confidence in their surgical skills and more specifically spays and neuters. Wayne is an excellent and patient teacher and creates a stress-free atmosphere for learning. He strikes the ideal balance between supporting and letting you navigate yourself but is always there if you need him. He explains techniques clearly and in a way that makes sense. The shelters are also great with friendly people and the dogs and cats stole my heart. Wayne and Rachel are wonderful hosts and I immediately felt welcome. I would go again in a second! Thank-you!
Lindsay Annis, Switzerland, February 2020
I was able to do one week at the Malaga neuter clinic as a final year student. In that time we went to several different rescue organizations and I personally performed 23 surgeries on both dogs and cats. My confidence and competence tremendously improved and I can honestly say this was some of the best money I have spent on my education. At my next EMS placement I was allowed to assist in a spay and when the clinic saw my level of competency they allowed me to perform all of the spays and neuters for the week. Wayne was a calm, no-pressure instructor who is very passionate about this program. His wife Rachel is generously kind and on-site to help the students settle in to the accommodations. The animals we helped were given high standard medical attention and treated with the utmost care. I would highly recommend this clinic to anyone that wants to improve their surgical skills.
Meg Sorhus February 2020
I flew to Spain with minimal surgery experience, lacking confidence and experiencing major imposter syndrome on the Veterinary Medicine course. From the first day, Rachel and Wayne were beyond welcoming, hospitable and no requests were too much. Throughout the first few days of my one week’s stay, Wayne’s profound patience and passion for this project really shone through. He showed total dedication and willingness to teach, and quite clearly loves what he does. Further to this, he was a real laugh, a genuinely lovely person and through working hard and consistently learning, we had a lot of fun. Not only is Wayne clearly an extremely skilled and experienced vet, he’s also the most fantastic teacher, making myself and the other students extremely comfortable and stress-free in an ironically stressful environment. Wayne was always calm and collected and put so much trust into our abilities which really benefitted our learning experience. By the third day I was performing surgeries pretty much from start to finish on my own, with Wayne always on hand if need be. I had expectations that this trip would be extremely beneficial for my career in practice, but the extent of learning, skills and confidence that I have gained is unfathomable. Wayne really believed in me and helped prove to myself that I am good enough at what I do, and I couldn’t thank him enough for installing that in me. I couldn’t recommend the clinic more, I genuinely can’t wait to return in the foreseeable future!
Beth Greene February 2020
I wanted to thank you all your help during this week!! It has been an amazing experience and i am already a more confident vet.
Wayne has been a marvellous teacher, supporting us during the operations but giving us enough space to overcome our difficulties. This course is the perfect experience for vet students and veterinary surgeons that need a boost operating.
Thank you so much for everything that both of you did during my stay in Málaga.
Un fuerte abrazo,
Alvaro Benitez February 2020
Spending one week at the neuter clinic organised by Wayne and Rachel is probably the best decision anyone can make. It is the perfect opportunity for vet students and recent graduates to establish confidence in their surgical skills. Wayne provides great tips and is aware of the struggles students commonly face. He is very patient and allows students to tackle the surgeries independently, but will always step in to assist if needed. I cannot imagine starting my first job without having attended this placement, as it has greatly polished my practical techniques and provided immense encouragement.
Matthew Ng February 2020
Having made a challenging decision to leave full time equine practice since qualifying 7 years ago, I was apprehensive about making a switch to small animal practice and I was keen to address this concern. In addition to this, I had always wanted to use my veterinary degree towards something that would give me a greater sense of fulfilment. I was so glad to find Wayne and Rachel's programme because it offered a way to satisfy these needs. I was even more delighted to read the excellent reviews of the experience and to be able to attend for a week at short notice in February 2020. Wayne has the patience of a Saint; a natural teacher and mentor. During surgery Wayne was extremely perceptive and able to demonstrate solutions to difficulties in technique and convey how to make things safer or simpler. He also has the ability to instil confidence or offer reassurance just at the right time. Thank you both for such a great experience & keep up the excellent and inspiring work, I really hope to visit again soon.
Amy Collins February 2020
I attended the neuter clinic from February 10th -14th 2020.
I would highly recommend the neuter clinic for new graduates and veterinary students. I went a few weeks from graduation with very little surgical experience. On day 2, I did six solo cat spays, all supervised of course.
Wayne was so patient at all times, an excellent teacher, you are never left alone, and he talks you through the whole procedure. We did cat spays and castrations, bitch spays and dog castrations. By the end of the week I felt confident with all those routine procedures, which boosted my confidence immensely when I started my first small animal job.
It was absolutely the best money I have every spent.
Both Wayne and Rachel were so welcoming, friendly and accommodating.
If I have any time off in the near future, I will definitely return for another week.
Siobhán Ireland February 2020
As a final year veterinary student I was nervous about my lack of surgical experience before graduation. Like many other students, I hadn’t had the opportunities to perform much surgery in any of my previous EMS placements. Coming to Wayne’s spay and neuter clinic was the best decision I could have made. I was able to perform a full bitch spay, dog neuter, and multiple pregnant cat spays; Things I had never done previously. Wayne makes the entire experience completely comfortable and is always nearby if you need guidance but gives you the freedom to make surgical decisions and suggestions; I truly felt like a veterinarian. I gained more surgical confidence in 5 days than my entire 4 years at veterinary school. I would absolutely recommend his clinic to any veterinary student regardless of your surgical experience. You will come out of it feeling ready to take on anything.
Nicolette Margiotta March 2020
As a final year vet student, I was keen to work on my surgical confidence and technique before graduating and starting my first job - and a week in Spain with Wayne and his team was PERFECT. Myself and 5 friends went together, and there was plenty to do for each of us. Wayne and Rachel are incredibly warm and welcoming, and we had a lovely apartment to call home for the week. Wayne is probably the most patient person I have ever met, and his calm reassurance and support made every surgery an enjoyable learning experience. It was wonderful to finally have ownership over our surgeries! 100% recommend this experience to any vet student or vet looking for an accelerated crash course in surgery.
Umaymah Hewitt March 2020
I have had the absolute best time on placement at Animal Care Espana on the Spay and Neuter Course. It is like no other work experience that I have ever had: you get to practice so much while you are here! With everything from TPR and auscultation (bring your stethoscope!), blood draws, drug calculations, all types of injections, anaesthesia monitoring, intubating and on top of that there are the operations themselves! My first two days I spent fumbling suture material, dropping instruments and struggling to remember the next step in the surgery even if I had read up on it, not to mention repeatedly intubating the oesophagus. As the week progressed, so did my skills and by Friday I was operating on my own – the vet wasn’t even scrubbed in with me. I had become much more confident working through all the procedures myself too, and it was immensely calming to know there was someone still there for you should you make the decision that you need help.
My favorite aspect was the calm and supportive environment, with no clients breathing down your neck and everyone being very accepting of the fact that everyone has to start somewhere. There is also a very experienced Spanish vet working there so you may get to see some other cases such as dog fight wounds, bandage management, feline medicine, infectious diseases and anything else that gets brought in.
I can’t recommend it enough – especially to any and all new grads: it will give you the confidence boost you need before starting to practice.
Katrina Shlyakonova May 2020
Originally I booked 2 weeks, which I prolonged to 3 weeks after experiencing the most rewarding and fun practical experience of my degree. I leave with a boost of confidence to my first job. The course surpassed my expectations regarding amount of surgeries, quality of equipment, protocols and most importantly, Wayne’s teaching skills. That, combined with a totally relaxed atmosphere really helped throughout the entire learning process. My fear of being unable to spay a dog or a cat has completely gone away. Not only I feel comfortable with my surgical skills, I also practiced on a daily basis all basic clinical procedures that are equally important - injections, catheters, dosages, ET placement, anaesthesia machine, recovery and follow up as well as seeing and getting involved in other interesting cases. I have recommended it to all my friends and would recommend it to anybody in or out of university.
Thank you Wayne and Rachel for being so kind to me, the accommodation and attention couldn’t have been better!
Overall this course surpassed all my expectations and I am truly thankful to have come across this amazing opportunity in my veterinary career.
Clara Sarro June 2020
The placement with Wayne and Rachel was amazing. On my first day, I was taught how to flank spay a cat, which is a valuable skill when working in both rural areas and a busy practice. By the end of the week, I felt so proficient with the surgery that I was able to do them in under 30 minutes and would feel comfortable teaching my fellow students how to perform the surgery. Wayne was always so encouraging and provided the perfect amount of intervention. I never once felt nervous while operating, even during my first dog neuter and bitch spay. The work he does with the rescue groups in Spain is commendable and I felt like I was making a difference and helping the local stray populations with my work. I would happily participate in the program again and would recommend anyone who wants to hone their surgical skills to join Wayne and Rachel in Malaga!
-Abby Henry June 2020
Really happy with the experience. Rachel and Wayne very welcoming and helping in all your needs.
Javier and Wayne working very hard to teach you different techniques.
Completly worthy the course.
Thanks all for your dedication, it makes a big difference with these new advices
Antonio Benitez Melguizo June 2020
This was an excellent experience. Rachel and Wayne are very welcoming and helpful. There are so many cats and dogs at the various charities needing help. Both Wayne and Javier are excellent freindly teachers. Relaxed enough to let you get on with it but always available to help and sort out any queries. Great opportunity!
Mary Anne June 2020
I picked this placement as I wanted as much practical experience as possible. I went with two other friends from university, and we all agreed it was the best placement we have done so far. From day one you are hands on in surgery. Even though I had very little prior experience, there was lots of guidance. I learnt a lot in the two weeks I was there and would definitely recommend it to others.
Siobhan Ramos - July 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed my 2 weeks in Spain at your spay neuter clinic. We learned so many valuable practical skills and had the time, plenty cats and dogs (especially cats) to gain more confidence and practice our newly learnt skills. Wayne and Habby (not sure if this is the correct spelling) we’re both patient and trusting in teaching and letting us practice these surgeries which will be very useful when we graduate in a years time.
We stayed in Wayne and Rachel’s apartment which was lovely and to top it off had a pool which was very refreshing at the end of a hot days work in the clinic.
Lorna Cousar July 2020
I can't thank you enough for the patience you showed while teaching me to do surgery. I arrived very nervous (having had some squeamish moments in the past) but your humour and graciousness really helped me along. I left feeling very excited to do more surgery!
Tracy Spiegelman July 2020 Edinburgh University
Our time at the spay clinic was honestly one of the best experiences I have ever had. Wayne is very welcoming and is there to help you every step of the way. It is the best place to ask any questions and to really get stuck in. After the clinic I feel much more confident with every aspect of surgery, including prepping for surgery (using catheters, taking bloods and ET tubing) and the actual surgery itself (how to enter the abdomen, soft tissue handling and suturing techniques). I would highly recommend this to anyone who is wanting a confidence boost before qualifying or before starting as a vet, you won’t find a better EMS placement than this!
Rachael Pond July 2020 Liverpool University
This was the most useful, relevant and enjoyable placement I have done during my time in university. The practical skills learnt here are second to none, the progression of my (previously non-existent) surgical skills was rapid and the responsibility you feel you have only accelerated the confidence built during my time here. From day one you are guided through surgical procedures you may go through the whole of university being only able to watch and by the end of the 2 weeks you are doing it with all the skills you have seen qualified vets using. Wayne and the vets are great teachers who have patience and make the whole experience fun with no pressure at all. I could not recommend this clinic enough for anyone who wants to come away more knowledgeable, skilled and most importantly more confident. This is a great reminder as to why we all wanted to become vets in the first place!
Georgina Roberts July 2020 Liverpool University
Wow what an amazing and education filled week!! Rachel and Wayne welcomed me with arms wide open and are generous hosts that will help you with whatever you need during your time with them. Wayne is a fantastic teacher and coach and is able to patiently walk you through the different techniques for each surgery. I went from never having done any type of surgery to being very confident in spays and neuters in both cats and dogs, exceeding my own expectations for how much I could grow in just a week. I would highly recommend this program for anyone wanting an intensive spay and neuter experience in a compassionate environment with a mentor that will help you believe in yourself!
Madison Tolan August 2020 Edinburgh University
Overall I had a very enjoyable and valuable experience. When I arrived I had no prior experience to any neuter surgeries, but after two weeks I have gained valuable knowledge and have become confident with the spay and neuter surgeries. The clinic was very well equipped and it was a great opportunity to showcase your anaesthetic techniques, animal handling and suturing patterns. The staff were very friendly and helpful and t has been a pleasure working with them these past two weeks. The Animal Care España (ACE) had numerous dogs and cats and you get loads of opportunities to do spay and neuter procedures, I also got a chance to do a dental surgeries and learn more about anaesthetic drugs and machines.
I would recommend this placement to veterinary students who would like to get more experience with spay and neuter procedures. The placement has been very engaging and I would like to return to get more experience in the near future
Suneet Channa August 2020 Edinburgh University
This was by far the most hands-on, enriching, and confidence boosting placement I have been on to date. As a final year student with minimal small animal and surgical experience, I was worried about my skills and abilities to perform during clinical rotations. Wayne has created such an ideal learning environment that anyone can excel and become comfortable with the procedures at hand. He is an excellent teacher with endless amounts of patience that you feel secure enough to go about your surgeries with confidence.
At the end of my two weeks, I was able to complete multiple bitch spays with little to no assistance. I left feeling incredibly confident and re-assured in my abilities, which I’ve rarely experienced from clinical placements. It was an absolute pleasure to have Wayne as a mentor and Rachel as a welcoming host. This placement could not come even more recommended than it already has. I would return in a heartbeat if given the opportunity if only to continue making a positive impact on the local community!
Rachel Ellis August 2020 Glasgow University
I had a wonderful time at the Neuter Clinic and very much improved my surgical skills. I was quite nervous to start, but from the first day I was hands on performing spays and neuters with the guidence of Wayne. Wayne is very patient and has endless helpful tips to make the surgerys more manageble. Rachel was very welcoming and made us feel at home from the first day. I would love to return once I have graduated to improve further upon my surgical skills.
Brogan Swan August 2020 Surrey University
This placement was absolutely excellent. Wayne and Javier were patient and helpful teachers. As a 4th year student, I had no surgical experience before this. I feel that my skills were quite minimal when I started, and they helped me with the basics until I felt quite comfortable with the procedures. They each showed me their techniques so I could compare the differences and start to think about my own technique in the future. I also learned more about anesthetic pre-meds, induction agents, placing a cannula, intubation, and learning to find a routine before and during surgery and keep in focus what is happening now and what is coming next. During the surgery, I also found learning the layers for sutures quite difficult, but Wayne especially worked with me on these until I really understood. I also had trouble with intradermal sutures and now feel quite confident with these. I am so grateful for this opportunity and may even go back during my final year to keep my surgical skills fresh.
Amanda Podgurski August 2020 Edinburgh University
My experience at Neuter Clinic Spain exceeded my expectations and I am very glad that I picked this programme. I am a qualified vet, but had a long break from work and wanted to prepare myself as best as I could before going back. This was the perfect environment for me, because Wayne and Javier are both very good teachers, always patient, kind and supportive. In just one week I independently performed many bitch and queen spays as well as dog and cat neuters and regained my confidence. This type of course should be a part of training at universities and I would definitely recommend it to anyone. I’d wish I had done this as a student or new graduate before I started working in clinical practice, as it certainly would have helped me to feel less anxious about my surgical abilities. The clinical standard here is also just what it is like in most modern practices in the UK or Germany, so you can be assured that everything you’ll learn will be accepted there and animals receive the best possible anaesthesia and care.
(Unfortunately I made the mistake to spend another week at a different spay/neuter programme in Spain, which wasn’t of high quality at all, especially after I had been so spoilt by Wayne’s course. )
Lisa Sedlaczek September 2020 Germany
I had such a great time during my one-week placement at the Neuter Clinic. Since I had just finished my second year of vet school with very little surgery experience, I was very nervous on the first day. However, Wayne made sure I was feeling comfortable and patiently helped me so much developing and improving my surgical skills. With his invaluable guidance and tips, I was able to gain confidence and perform many surgeries with little to no assistance. I also felt like I was making a positive impact on the community by helping the shelters. I truly enjoyed having Wayne as a mentor and I would definitely recommend this placement. I will try to come back in a few years to further improve my skills. Such an amazing experience!
I hope to learn more from Wayne in the future and I thank you for everything.
Chiara Michelotti September 2020 Glasgow University
The last 2 weeks have been the most incredible learning experiences of my life. I can’t thank Wayne and Javi enough for their amazing teaching and am so grateful to them for being so patient and encouraging.
My confidence with spaying and castration of both cats and dogs increased hugely throughout, and I loved getting hands on immediately in such a supported environment.
Wayne was born to be a teacher and explained every step so clearly.
I truly feel this is an opportunity no one should miss out on!
Alex Church September 2020 Edinburgh University
"Words can't describe how incredible an experience working with, and learning from, Wayne and Javier was at the rescues outside of Malaga, but I'll give it a go! I went in with minimal to no surgical experience, as well as having had lots of placements canceled due to lockdown. I was feeling rather shaky about my surgical skills, and also hadn't been able to physically interact with dogs and cats in a veterinary setting for nearly a year. Wayne and Javier were simultaneously experts and excellent teachers. They deftly balanced teaching multiple techniques and being ever available when we needed them, but also importantly from the very first day emphasized our independence and encouraged confidence-building. Not only did I come away with much better skills specifically in the realm of spaying and neutering, but also in the first principles of surgery more broadly. In large part due to the supportive environment at the clinic, I am finding myself much less intimidated and actually quite jazzed to broaden my other skill sets, whether surgical or otherwise, over this coming year and into my first veterinary job. Although this year and opportunities after graduation this coming spring are still rather uncertain, I feel indescribably more equipped to embrace the learning ahead. I would recommend the clinic wholeheartedly to anyone who finds themselves able to participate, and thank Wayne, Javier and Rachel immensely for their kindness and for the good they do in the world."
Sayre Sunberg September 2020 Edinburgh University
This neuter clinic was brilliant for building surgical confidence and for getting practical experience. Due to Covid 19 many of my final year placements have had to cancel and I was getting more and more concerned about graduating without any surgical experience. However, one week at this neuter clinic gave me such confidence and a really good foundation to build my surgical skills. Wayne and Havier are excellent teachers and vary the amount of supervision based on how much you want and how confident you are. You get the opportunity to do cat spays and castrates, dog castrates and bitch spays. They also cater the surgical opportunities to what you want to work on most or what they think will give you the best experience.
Would recommend this placement to anyone, vet student or qualified vet!
Emily O'Connell October 2020 Nottingham University
I visited the clinic as someone who had been qualified for over 20y but had had a total loss of confidence in surgery.
I left with a renewed love of neutering and of the profession in general.
Wayne inspires confidence which was just what I needed.
I was impressed with the facilities available at the clinic and the patients were gorgeous and well-cared for.
Rebekah Tee BVSc CertVC MRCVS 2020
As a recent graduate, I had a relative lack of experience in surgery and was particularly anxious about performing bitch spays, having had a few difficult ones in practice. This motivated me to attend the clinic, and I am glad I did! Wayne was very patient and seems to genuinely enjoy teaching. He helped me to gain confidence with procedures on cats and dogs. I found it difficult to gain surgical experience when starting out in practice as there were often time/staffing constraints- Wayne allows you to take your time and is always happy to answer questions or lend a hand as needed. I spent two weeks at the clinic and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone with any concerns about surgery whether they are a student or already qualified. The beautiful Spanish scenery is also a bonus!
Dr Judith Fitzgerald October 2020
Doing this 2-week placement was probably one of the best decisions I could have made during my final year. I came into it with basically no surgical experience and not all that confident with my practical abilities. Wayne was an excellent teacher and mentor, giving guidance when needed yet also allowing you to crack on by yourself without the pressure of having someone watching over you. With his words of encouragement and teaching, I left feeling so much more confident in myself and my surgical skills. The thought of being a new graduate doing surgery is no longer so daunting and scary, knowing that I can now perform dog and cat spays and neuters unassisted from start to finish. Rachel and Wayne were both fantastic hosts who were very welcoming and accommodating throughout my stay. I would gladly return in a heartbeat!
Courtney Cordeiro December 2020 Glasgow University
I’ve had a great experience at the neuter clinic. Wayne and Javier have been very patient and helpful. In the relaxed atmosphere, I advanced quickly my surgery skills and built up my confidence in performing canine and feline spays. Rachel and Wayne were also great hosts and made my stay in Malaga a very enjoyable time.
Junwei Foyer December 2020 University of Zurich
Myself and 3 friends (final years) went to the neuter clinic last week and it was one of the best experiences we’ve had through vet school. Some of us hadn’t been in practice in over 18 months due to COVID so were looking forward to getting stuck into some surgery – we weren’t disappointed.
Wayne and Javier were excellent teachers with just the right balance between active guidance and allowing us to find our own way. I lost count how many dogs and cats we neutered at the three different charities we attended through the week. It was the best way to learn, with a constant turnover of animals allowing re-enforcement of learning and correction of previous mistakes.
The progress I made in just one week of attending the neuter clinic was remarkable, from Monday morning where I had never spayed or castrated a cat to Friday, where I completed 2 cat spays and 5 cat castrates completely unaided.
I highly recommend the neuter clinic to any vet or vet student that wants more experience in basic surgical skills and learning different techniques of neutering cats and dogs.
Thank you Wayne and Javier for a brilliant week!!
Abi Uden December 2020 University of Surrey
The past week I have spent with you at the neuter clinic has been one of the most useful weeks in my entire veterinary education, when I arrived my surgical skills were limited (especially with the impact of covid on our IMR rotations) however over the week you helped me develop these skills to a point where I felt confident in performing spays and castrates in both dogs and cats. I’d recommend to anyone considering completing a neuter clinic to do this one as Wayne is friendly, professional, and really lets you develop your surgical confidence as the week progresses.
Really cant thank you enough for what you’re doing.
Henry Saunders December 2020 University of Surrey
I had an absolutely brilliant time at the neuter clinic with my friend at couple of weeks ago. I gained so much surgical experience, more than I expected I would, and by the end of the week we were independently performing bitch spays! Wayne and Javier are both really patient and excellent teachers; they really helped me gain more confidence with surgery and I found learning the various techniques and tips for neutering so helpful. Prior to the clinic, I had not done any small animal surgery, having barely been in a small animal practice for a couple of years due to Covid, so I have found this an invaluable experience going into my final year of vet school. I would definitely recommend this clinic for anyone looking to rapidly improve their surgical skills in a supportive and relaxed environment. Thank you to Wayne and Javier!
Isobel Burton 2021 University of Surrey
I had a very positive experience at this Spay/neuter clinic. I went in June 2021 (the summer after my 4th year). It really is an ideal environment to learn in where you are encouraged and supported, while going at your own pace. I found the first few days challenging, while I was trying to get my head around the surgeries, but I honestly could not believe how much I had progressed by the end of my two weeks. Wayne is extremely patient and is more than happy to guide you whenever you need it or answer any questions you have. While I was there, we went to a few cat shelters and a dog shelter, as well as working at the main shelter. I spent a few days working with Javier at the main clinic and I learned loads from him too. As well as getting to do a lot of surgeries, you also get lots of opportunities to practice placing catheters, which for me was a huge bonus. I feel a lot more confident since doing this spay-neuter clinic, and I could not recommend the experience enough. It is well organised, Mijas is a fabulous location and everyone I met was lovely. A lot of people go with friends, but I went on my own and it was great to meet so many other vet students. Thanks so much to Wayne, Rachel, Javier, and the rest of the ACE team for such a great experience.
Beth Miller 2021 University College Cork Dublin
ACE is a fantastic experience to gain surgical skills in a safe and patient environment.
In total I did 17 surgeries in a week, and am a lot more confident in spays and castrates, and am no longer fiddly with holding instruments.
Wayne is a fantastic teacher and is a pro at what he does. The area is absolutely gorgeous, and if you finish early the beach is just a 10 min walk away! Highly recommend a placement here.
Brittany Fay 2021 Edinburgh University
Having just finished my degree, the neuter clinic provided the perfect opportunity to develop and refine my basic surgery skills. My confidence grew throughout the week and I went from being coached through a bitch spay on day one to completing an eye enucleation on the last day! I thoroughly enjoyed my time. I learnt a lot of new skills and the whole team were so patient and kind; Wayne was careful to help where it was needed as well as allowing me time to be independent as my confidence and skills improved. This programme has been immensely useful, especially given the relative lack of practical experience during my final year due to the ongoing pandemic, and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone. Thank you so much to the patient vets and shelter staff, I had a truly fantastic and rewarding week. Wish I could do it all over again!
Hazel Dearsley 2021 Liverpool University
The Neuter Clinic was the best possible way for me to gain the practical experience I needed before my final year of veterinary university. Especially following the global pandemic, which forced everything online, I lacked a lot of practical skills and hadn’t sutured on a live animal. On the first day, Wayne guided us through the steps needed to prep and perform surgery, and by the end of the day I was confidently finishing up my first dog castration. Each day we got plenty of practice with spays and/or castrations on all different sizes and breeds of dogs and cats, and by the time the one week was over I was confident enough to perform neuters during my other rotations that summer. I couldn’t recommend this clinic enough for anyone who feels they lack surgical skills and wants to gain more self-assurance and practice under the skillful guidance of Wayne and Javier. Not to mention this is all set in the backdrop of gorgeous southern Spain. An absolute dream spay-cation!
Claire Varnai University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest June 2021
The neuter clinic has been the biggest confidence boost and learning experience, and absolute god send, at a time when covid hampered my practical skills at the end of my University study. I couldn’t gain the practical knowledge that I have now without the help of Wayne and Javi at the neuter clinic, their teaching and guidance has given me a key role in my new job, as being the main surgeon in my branch clinic now. Made me a valuable member of the staff at my work. If I didn’t hear about the neuter clinic I don’t think I would have the knowledge and experience I have now, also the confidence that I have going between different surgeries. I strongly recommend for anyone struggling or lacking confidence and practical knowledge to attend and get the proper guidance needed. As it has helped me done and made me a better veterinarian surgeon that I am today.
Gareth Hobbs 2021 SGGW Warsaw Poland
I was pleased that I was taken in during the worst times of COVID-19 pandemic. I had luck in an unfortunate situation since I was the only student performing surgeries at the moment. Therefore I was busy doing spays and castrations one after another. I received so much knowledge during 5 days from two different vets, both having their own surgical techniques. The environment where I worked was easy going and calm. You will get your freedom to operate in peace, yet you immediately get help if you need it. Everything else is done prepared for you and you can only focus on your surgical technique. I highly recommend Wayne Hockenhull as your gateway to veterinary Profession.
Rikhard Roine, DVM WULS/SGGW
I would like to thank you all for this amazing neuter training program! It is definitely invaluable hands on practical surgical experience and the training provided by vets Wayne and Javi is excellent! I can highly recommend this training program to all vet students and graduates who want to become more confident not only in neutering, but also in soft tissue surgeries. Accommodation is lovely too! Pool is beside the apartments, beach is 5mins and town is 10mins walk away. Hands down-this is the best money spent on the training program so far! Don’t hesitate and invest in your successful future career!
Goda Brazaite UVLF University in Slovakia
I spent a week at this Neuter Clinic as a final year student and had an absolutely amazing time. Both Javi and Wayne are so lovely and such brilliant vets, they genuinely care about every single student and every single animal. I left the neuter clinic at the end of the week having had experience performing cat castrates and spays, as well as dog castrates and bitch spays. I went out to Spain with absolutely no surgical experience and left at the end of the week feeling confident with all of these surgeries. Wayne and Javi are excellent teachers and so patient with all of us students. The environment is so great with such low-pressure and as much time and support as you need to gain confidence. I really enjoyed every day there and was so sad to be leaving at the end of the week! It really is the most amazing experience that I just could not recommend enough.
Thank you Wayne and Javi!
Louise de Ban
I would 100% recommend any clinical vet student to attend the neuter clinic. Wayne and Javi are both brilliant teachers - they are so so nice, patient and encouraging, and will guide you through each surgery and help when needed. I came away with so much more confidence and really felt involved in doing some good in the animal's lives. I also made great friends with the other vet students and after a full day of surgery was so nice to enjoy the Spanish sun with them! And Rachel was so lovely and fantastic at organising everything. Truly grateful for this experience!
Thanks so much to both of you again
Eilidh Galbraith Edinburgh University
I had a brilliant time at the neuter clinic with my friend a couple of weeks ago.
I gained so much surgical experience, more than I expected I would, and by the end of the week we were independently performing bitch spays!
Wayne and Javier are both really patient and excellent teachers; they really helped me gain more confidence with surgery and I found learning the various techniques and tips for neutering so helpful. Prior to the clinic, I had not done any small animal surgery, having barely been in a small animal practice for a couple of years due to Covid, so I have found this an invaluable experience going into my final year of vet school. I would definitely recommend this clinic for anyone looking to rapidly improve their surgical skills in a supportive and relaxed environment.
Thank you to Wayne and Javier!
Isobel University of Surrey
I would 100% recommend any clinical vet student to attend the neuter clinic. Wayne and Javi are both brilliant teachers - they are so so nice, patient and encouraging, and will guide you through each surgery and help when needed. I came away with so much more confidence and really felt involved in doing some good in the animal's lives. I also made great friends with the other vet students and after a full day of surgery was so nice to enjoy the Spanish sun with them! And Rachel was so lovely and fantastic at organising everything. Truly grateful for this experience! Thanks so much to both of you again
Eilidh University of Edinburgh
I had a very positive experience at this Spay/neuter clinic. It really is an ideal environment to learn in where you are encouraged and supported, while going at your own pace. I found the first few days challenging, while I was trying to get my head around the surgeries, but I honestly could not believe how much I had progressed by the end of my two weeks. Wayne is extremely patient and is more than happy to guide you whenever you need it or answer any questions you have. While I was there, we went to a few cat shelters and a dog shelter, as well as working at the main shelter. I spent a few days working with Javier at the main clinic and I learned loads from him too. As well as getting to do a lot of surgeries, you also get lots of opportunities to practice placing catheters, which for me was a huge bonus. I feel a lot more confident since doing this spay-neuter clinic, and I could not recommend the experience enough. It is well organised, Mijas is a fabulous location and everyone I met was lovely. A lot of people go with friends, but I went on my own and it was great to meet so many other vet students.
Beth UCD School Of Veterinary Medicine
Having just finished my degree, the neuter clinic provided the perfect opportunity to develop and refine my basic surgery skills. My confidence grew throughout the week and I went from being coached through a bitch spay on day one to completing an eye enucleation on the last day! I thoroughly enjoyed my time. I learnt a lot of new skills and the whole team were so patient and kind; Wayne was careful to help where it was needed as well as allowing me time to be independent as my confidence and skills improved. This programme has been immensely useful, especially given the relative lack of practical experience during my final year due to the ongoing pandemic, and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone. Thank you so much to the patient vets and shelter staff, I had a truly fantastic and rewarding week. Wish I could do it all over again!
Hazel University of Liverpool
Thanks for an exceptional week. I have learnt much more than I thought I could and you provided more opportunities for learning than I could have hoped for!
I have come away feeling much more confident in my surgical skills and feel ready to progress into starting my career, I can not thank you enough
Ross University of Liverpool 2023
Thank you so much for this experience and the important work you do (both for the animals and students and Wayne for being the world's most patient man!
I learned so much more in one week, than I have with 4 years at Uni, real hands on experience, great guidance, but also giving us the opportunity to try independently , before helping. Thanks for saving me from my many, small stupid mistakes and for finally getting me to understand the intradermal sutures!
Thank you both Rachel and Wayne, I wish I could stay another week
Aurora Norway 2023
Thank you for the most intense, scariest but amazing week here! On day one we both looked like a deer in the headlights, petrified, however with your outstanding patience and care, we were able to improve at our pace in a lovely atmosphere. We have both never learned so much so fast and we have come away with more confidence and skills for life.
We wish you all the best and revery grateful for this opportunity
Jen and Ella University of Liverpool 2023