Since graduating, Ebony has worked as a first opinion vet in North Wales, completed an equine internship at the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital, and a PhD with Imperial College London in collaboration with Liverpool, as well as being a locum equine vet in the North West and an advisor to the equine charity, Brooke.
In 2017, Ebony set up Vets: Stay, Go or Diversify (VSGD) to combat the growing problem of vets leaving the profession. “Watching too many of my friends burning out before they had a chance to truly shine led me to set up a career support network to showcase the wonderful and varied things you can do with a veterinary degree or ‘vet passport’. Unfortunately, the veterinary world is full of ‘wounded healers’, people who are great at helping others but not always themselves. I wanted to provide a positive outlet to support career diversity and sharing ways people can thrive,” she said.
Since its launch in 2017, VSGD has reached a global community of over 12,000 members and has hosted a live event with more than 300 attendees, as well as delegates streaming online.
In 2018, Ebony’s work with VSGD, as well as her work as a veterinary advisor at the Brooke equine charity, was recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons with the first RCVS Inspiration Award. The award is bestowed upon a veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse at any stage in their career who has demonstrated the ability to inspire and enthuse others. Ebony was also invited to the Queen’s Garden Party last year for her work with VSGD.
Nominated for the Alumni Award by fellow veterinary alumna Nicola Beesley, the Communications Officer for the University of Liverpool Veterinary Alumni Association (ULVAA), Ebony has maintained her links with the University, writing for the ULVAA newsletter and returning to the University to support the Liverpool University Veterinary Society at careers fairs. Nicola said: “I feel very proud to call Ebony a friend and we should be very proud to have such a fabulous ambassador as a member of our alumni community.”