About
Who am I?
My name is Jen Porter and I live in the New Forest with my husband Liam, Weasel the spaniel and Smoo the cat.
I graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2004 and have been working as a vet in general practice ever since. I first became interested in acupuncture in 2006 when my own dog struggled to get back to fitness after an operation on an injured leg. Anti-inflammatory medication and physiotherapy helped a lot but I felt that it wasn't quite enough. A vet colleague of mine treated him with acupuncture and the difference was so amazing that I decided to learn for myself.
I initially studied with the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists on their Foundation Course and then, after getting some really great results in my first patients, went on to do some more advanced training, gaining my ABVA Certificate in Veterinary Acupuncture in 2010.
I have been providing referral acupuncture services to the pets of Surrey and Hampshire since 2015 and have built a wonderful variety of cases. Going to visit pets in their own homes allows me to gain a real insight into their lives and how acupuncture can be used alongside their conventional veterinary treatments to help them as much as possible. It allows me to develop really great relationships with the human members of the family too.
I have been a member of the Council of Directors of the ABVA since 2011 and now also work as the Coordinator of the Association, organising training courses, managing the website and helping clients and referring vets with questions about acupuncture. I also provide lecturing and practical teaching services and thoroughly enjoy teaching other vets how to use acupuncture to help their patients.
Over the last few years, I have also been teaching veterinary students. In 2017-2018 I took on a part-time teaching role at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey. Here I was teaching surgery, clinical skills in anaesthesia and also working on helping the students to hone their professional skills such as consulting and communication. I am still a regular visitor to the University to facilitate workshops and am also heping two of the third year students with research projects all about acupuncture.
In between all of this I still find time to work as a locum vet in a local small animal practice. This gives me the chance to carry on doing the job I originally trained for and still love, alongside my other ventures. Continuing to work in general practice keeps me up to date with new medications and developments and allows me to flex my operating muscles from time to time too!
- Would you like to know more about acupuncture for your pet?
- Are you interested in booking a talk or workshop for your club, school or practice?
- Do you run a business that needs advice or input from an experienced veterinary surgeon?
