Finding balance between skates and scrubs

After growing up on a sheep and beef farm on the Otago Peninsula, Hannah developed a passion for animals. While she loved farming, her vested interested in the stock aspect inspired her to become a vet.

She says the journey to completing her degree has been interesting.

“Entering the third year of vet, which is known to be the biggest step up, while navigating COVID disruptions and transitioning to closed book testing was challenging. I’ve really enjoyed the practical aspect of the course, especially the variety of animals we get to work with at the large animal teaching unit, as well as spending time with friends both inside and outside of the university.”

Other highlights for Hannah include mountain biking at Arapuke Forest Park and experiencing ‘halfway day’ held in Taupō, where third year vet students celebrate hitting the midpoint of their five year degree.

Over the last four years, Hannah says she has learned how far she can push herself.

“The vet degree throws a lot at you, especially content wise. I often get caught up trying to get all the work done, and it is only upon reflection that I realise how much I have achieved.”

A big part of the degree includes various placements, beginning with one on a sheep and beef farm, a dairy farm, and an equine facility, alongside an additional placement of the students’ choice. For this placement, Hannah chose to work with the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust in Dunedin, where she had the opportunity to monitor penguin chicks during fledgling season.

“I really enjoyed my penguin placement, as it involved walking around the Catlins on beautiful summer days. Since then, I’ve had numerous clinic placements and going into fifth year means I will have a new placement every couple of weeks. I really enjoy large animal placements and being able to explore regions of the country I otherwise would not have ventured.”

At the age of 12, Hannah was invited to a ‘have-a-go’ day by a Hungarian ice hockey coach who moved into her neighbourhood.

“Mum nearly didn’t let me go as she believed I played too many sports already. I promised her it was one training, not a commitment, yet I came home with a bag of gear,” Hannah says.

Since then, her ice hockey career has gone from strength to strength, including representing Dunedin in the New Zealand Ice Hockey League and playing for the women’s national ice hockey team, Ice Fernz. Hannah says she’s had plenty of career highlights.

“I got to travel to South Africa for the 2023 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship Division II tournament, where we finished third. Alongside that, we got to experience the country and do a safari tour. Another favourite memory was when our Southern Women’s team went unbeaten in the National League over the 2018/2019 season.”

Finding time to dedicate to her ice hockey career while studying hasn’t been without its challenges, especially given Palmerston North doesn’t have a rink.

“During COVID, I had to return home to study and once we reached level two, sport could be picked up again, so I was able to train and play. Once in-person learning began again and I returned to the Manawatū, it was the support of Massey’s Academy of Sport and having extremely understanding coaches that helped me make it work. The national tournament ran through the semester, so I maintained my fitness through the help of the fitness training supplied by the Academy and flew home during the weekend to compete. International tournaments only started up again this year and were held at the beginning, so I was able to train and play over my summer break before competing.”

Following a near decade of being on the ice, Hannah says her passion for ice hockey has yet to fade.

“What I love most about ice hockey is the complexity of it. I’m still discovering new rules! And despite the rules, the skating, stick handling and positioning is all complex so there’s always something to improve on.”

With one more year of her degree to go, Hannah says she is looking forward to graduating, ideally with a job lined up.

“Ultimately, I want to end up as a large animal veterinarian and be involved with sheep and beef work. As for ice hockey, I hope to get back into training and playing to the best of my ability. That will depend on where I end up working, but if not ice hockey, I’ll pick another sport.”

Looking back over the last few years, Hannah says the success she has experienced has been due to those around her.

“The secret to my success had more to do with the opportunities I have been given and how lucky I am with my friends and family. They are the best and I love being around them. I’m so grateful to my coaches and teammates for being so understanding of my situation, and to the Academy of Sport, especially James Amon for the fitness programmes he provided. Really, I just do what I love and have the right environment around me to support that.”