Maddie Tytherleigh joined Drove in September 2024 after graduating from The University of Surrey.
Maddie did her final year rotation at Drove and enjoyed it so much she had no hesitation accepting a permanent position after graduation. Interviewing Maddie was such a pleasure, she spoke in length about the amazing women in her family. Her mother always encouraged both Maddie and her sister to follow their dreams, much like their Great Grandmother, Madge Tytherleigh, who studied and then worked as a pharmacist in the 1930s, a time when science-based careers were almost completely dominated by men. She also spoke of feeling blessed that she attended a school where there was no biased when it came to girls who were interested in studying science and pursuing careers in the field.
How, and when, did you realise you wanted to become a vet? And what are your preferred areas of veterinary science?
I don’t remember there being a time I wanted to do anything other than work with animals. I was lucky enough to grow up on a small holding surrounded by a variety of animals so becoming a vet was always a ‘when’ rather than an ‘if’. Now that I am qualified, I enjoy the surgical side of work the most, and would like to be part of an emergency and critical care team.
I took a gap year before university and travelled around Thailand and worked in an elephant sanctuary. I have also worked in the Amazon in Colombia, for a charity that works to prevent poaching of monkeys and raising ones that have been orphaned. It was such an amazing thing to be part of and I’d to go back again one day now that I’m qualified.
I also spent some time teaching as a Gap Student at Salisbury Cathedral School where I was the only female presence within the Science faculty but loved having the opportunity to encourage both girls and boys alike to pursue a subject they feel passionate about!
Are there any other STEM subjects that really interest you?
Everything – my house is full of science books! But other areas I have a real passion for is anthropology and archaeology.
