GA Medical Veterinary is my self-run micro business that develops custom veterinary instruments. I specialise in producing medical devices for wildlife, marine mammals, fish and avian patients. So generally, for animals that most companies do not and will not service because they are not commercially viable. I donate a lot of my time designing and developing devices for wildlife. Truth is, many of the devices I make never pay themselves off. The time, development, engineering and production costs add up.
I do this because no one else does. I love the challenge, and seeing my devices help animals that would otherwise suffer, be half treated, or worst of all, die.
So I am here to help.
My journey started when I approached a few zoos in Australia and asked if there were any surgical instruments I could help develop. The answer? “Yes, there’s a heap of things that can be made to help wildlife.” What I learned is that most wildlife and avian patients are treated with instruments designed for humans. They don’t fit, they don’t work properly, and at best they do a fraction of what they should. Only a handful of devices are actually made for animals, and those are for pets and livestock that generate profits: cats, dogs, horses.
There are many design projects I am working on at the moment for wildlife healthcare. When I finish one, often two more pop up. Having the financial resources would allow me to make them all. But these projects are usually self-funded developments. So I do what I can, and try never to say no to a project that I know will help an animal.
