Prachiti Damle
Mernda
Summary
Motivated animal care worker with extensive hands-on experience across veterinary clinics, animal shelters, wildlife rehabilitation, and field conservation. Skilled in handling and monitoring both domestic and exotic animals, supporting basic health checks under supervision, and maintaining high standards of hygiene and welfare. Proven ability to support veterinary teams, adapt in fast-paced environments, and communicate effectively with the public during educational events. Passionate about animal welfare, with strengths in teamwork, adaptability, and clear communication.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Prep Assistant Volunteer
RSPCA Burwood East
03.2024 - 12.2024
- Helped veterinary nurses prepare neutering and spaying kits.
- Washing and disinfecting surgical tools after surgeries.
- Stocking up on and making a note of surgical instruments required.
- Maintained and organised surgical kits so they are ready to use for surgeries.
- Responsible for folding, packaging and sterilising surgical kits and surgical gowns in the autoclave.
Farm Volunteer
Bundoora Park Farm and Cafe
05.2023 - 12.2024
- Prepared and distributed feed for 5-10 animals per shift including sheep, goats, cows, horses.
- Prepared milk and bottle-fed baby goats and lambs, ensuring proper nutrition and attentive care.
- Cleaned the barn and replaced bedding when needed to maintain a safe and sanitary environment.
- Supported grooming and milking under staff supervision.
- Assisted with daily visitor-friendly events like animal feeding and guinea pig handling by helping with organization and engaging with guests.
- Used strong communication skills to educate and engage visitors during open-to-public events.
Admissions and Wildlife Volunteer
RSPCA Burwood East
02.2023 - 03.2024
- Cleaned guinea pig and rabbit pens and ensured animals had fresh bedding, food, and water.
- Provided rabbits with supervised playtime to support socialisation and enrichment.
- Supported veterinary nurses with restraining rabbits for vaccinations and medication administration.
- Observed guinea pigs and rabbits for consistent feeding, hydration, and behavioural patterns, promptly reporting abnormal behaviour to the staff.
- Gained foundational knowledge of bird handling and care by observing and supporting experienced staff in the wildlife area.
- Cleaned and disinfected kennels in the admissions area for newly arrived dogs undergoing quarantine and health or behaviour assessments.
- Walked dogs in the admissions area while monitoring their behaviour to support their health and adjustment during intake and quarantine.
Veterinary Field Experience
Ecolife Vets-in-the-Wild Expedition
06.2023 - 07.2023
- Assisted wildlife veterinarians during quarantine checks for rhinos and buffalos, including monitoring vitals and providing physical restraint.
- Observed and learned about bovine tuberculosis testing, sedation protocols, and medication use, as well as the spread and control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).
- Supported the relocation of wildebeests and nyalas, assisting with safe handling, sedation, and reversal processes for transport.
- Participated in hands-on rural outreach by vaccinating, bathing, and conducting health checks on dogs under veterinary supervision.
- Attended a reptile medicine workshop at a reptile care centre, focusing on snake health and medication protocols.
- Learned about species-specific care for snakes and different snake species.
- Practiced controlled snake handling techniques using tongs and learned about venom types and anti-venom protocols; observed live demonstrations with a puff adder and spitting cobra.
- Prepared raw food for large carnivores and fed a variety of rescued wildlife including leopard cubs, lion cubs, tiger cubs, caracals, hyenas, and meerkats.
- Explored prehistoric sites and engaged in wildlife safaris to observe free-ranging species and learn about natural history and animal behaviour.
- Participated in field-based activities including wildlife tracking and bone identification, such as locating and studying wildebeest skulls and skeletal remains.
Kennels Volunteer
RSPCA Burwood East
11.2019 - 01.2023
- Interacted with and walked 12+ dogs per shift to provide enrichment, exercise, and emotional support in a shelter environment.
- Participated in training sessions with animal behaviourists to develop skills in canine behaviour and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Cleaned and sanitised 10+ kennels per shift to maintain high hygiene standards and support disease prevention.
- Fed dogs and refilled water bowls to ensure proper daily nutrition and hydration.
- Occasionally assisted in the cattery during staff shortages by cleaning enclosures and feeding cats to maintain care standards.
Clinical Placement
Greencross Vets
07.2022 - 07.2022
- Cleaned the cattery and socialised with cats to reduce stress and support emotional well-being.
- Followed diet instructions from veterinarians and nurses to ensure cats received appropriate nutrition.
- Monitored cats for signs of discomfort or abnormal behaviour and reported observations to veterinary nurses.
- Observed surgical and diagnostic procedures including desexing, ultrasound imaging and engaged in post-operative learning discussions with veterinarians.
- Assisted with restraining patients during procedures or checkups.
- Participated in tactile learning during an emergency case under veterinary supervision.
- Shadowed veterinarians during consultations, learning to assess animal behaviour and how to communicate with pet owners.
- Washed and disinfected surgical towels and scrubs, and restocked surgical rooms with instruments and supplies.
- Helped maintain a clean clinical environment by mopping floors and ensuring sanitation protocols were followed.
Student Placement
Reptile Encounters
06.2022 - 07.2022
- Cleaned enclosures and maintained hygiene for a range of species including birds, sugar gliders, possums, fruit bats, amphibians, reptiles, and small native mammals.
- Monitored and replenished food and water; prepared mice for feeding owls, snakes, and monitor lizards.
- Handled and interacted with 6+ exotic species, including snakes, crocodiles, owls, various lizard species, birds and sugar gliders, under staff supervision.
- Entered bird enclosures to feed, clean, and interact with animals, supporting enrichment and positive human-animal interaction.
- Assisted during open-day events by educating visitors on species care and behaviour; provided hands-on demonstrations with reptiles and mammals.
- Welcomed and checked in visitors by managing booking lists, confirming attendance, and supporting front-of-house operations.
- Offered support beyond scheduled shifts to assist with additional animal care and facility duties as needed.
Work Experience Placement
Pets Haven Foundation
11.2018 - 12.2018
- Walked dogs to provide daily exercise and enrichment.
- Cleaned dog enclosures and cat cages to maintain a hygienic and safe environment.
- Fed dogs and cats according to shelter guidelines and cleaned food and water bowls.
- Cleaned the cattery and supported the general care of cats.
- Organised donated goods in the donation shed and arranged storage spaces to improve workflow and accessibility.
Crew Member
Mcdonalds
11.2021 - 08.2023
- Improved customer satisfaction by delivering friendly, efficient service at the register.
- Worked on the front counter taking orders, processing payments, and packaging dine-in and delivery meals in a high-volume, fast-paced environment; developed strong communication and customer service skills.
Education
Certificate in Science And Technology
Massey University
Palmerston North, New Zealand01-2025
Bachelor of Animal And Veterinary Bioscience -
La Trobe University
Melbourne, VIC12-2023
Skills
Animal Care & Veterinary Support
Animal handling and restraint, feeding and nutrition, kennel and cattery hygiene, basic health checks (under supervision), reptile medicine awareness
Wildlife & Field Experience
Wildlife tracking, species observation, quarantine protocols, sedative/reversal awareness, rural animal outreach
Customer Service & Communication
Client interaction, reception support, visitor education, booking and check-in, teamwork
Workplace & Technical Skills
Adaptability, initiative, verbal communication, time management, fast-paced work, computer literacy, punctuality, willingness to learn
Certification
- Veterinary Assistant Course ( 7 certificates) - Online Courses Australia (OCA) - December 2024
- Animal Health and Veterinary Care - Ulleo, Australia - November 2023
- Wildlife Tourism and Conservation Management - North West University, South Africa - July 2022
- Standard Reptile Medicine Course - Hoedspruit Reptile Centre, South Africa - July 2022
Timeline
Clinical Prep Assistant Volunteer
RSPCA Burwood East
03.2024 - 12.2024
Veterinary Field Experience
Ecolife Vets-in-the-Wild Expedition
06.2023 - 07.2023
Farm Volunteer
Bundoora Park Farm and Cafe
05.2023 - 12.2024
Admissions and Wildlife Volunteer
RSPCA Burwood East
02.2023 - 03.2024
Clinical Placement
Greencross Vets
07.2022 - 07.2022
Student Placement
Reptile Encounters
06.2022 - 07.2022
Crew Member
Mcdonalds
11.2021 - 08.2023
Kennels Volunteer
RSPCA Burwood East
11.2019 - 01.2023
Work Experience Placement
Pets Haven Foundation
11.2018 - 12.2018
Certificate in Science And Technology
Massey University
Bachelor of Animal And Veterinary Bioscience -
La Trobe University
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