Lynne (45) lives in Kirkintilloch with her husband, Gillies Walker, and their three children, Tom (16), Beth (13) and Murray (8).

When did you first realise you wanted to be a vet?
I've wanted to be a vet for as long as I can remember - from the age of five or six. From a very young age I was always bringing all the waifs and strays home - even injured crows. I was very lucky that my parents let me have so many animals in the house.
It was always my aim to be a vet throughout school at Oxgang Primary and Kirkintilloch High. I went to Glasgow University at 16, which you were allowed to do back then, and at 21, I graduated and started working.

Have you always lived in Kirkintilloch?
After university I joined the practice and I'm starting my 25th year here. It's perfect - I'm back home where I've always been and where my family have always been. My family have lived here since the 1700s.
At the start it was a two man practice and we would take turns to do the nightshift. It was very hard work. Now we have four vets, and another part-time, and have over 10,000 animals on our books. We serve a wide area from Kirkintilloch, Bishopbriggs, Torrance, Cumbernauld, Lennoxtown and further afield. We also work with the Cats Protection League in Auchinloch who can have up to 200 cats at any one time.

What is your favourite thing about the job?
It's so very varied. When I arrive in the morning I never know what is going to be coming through the door. It could be a caesarean or a road accident - it's certainly not humdrum.
I also enjoy dealing with our clients. In many cases I've treated a couple of generations of dogs and it is a privilege to be able to look after pets throughout their lives.
The owners all know me well and have trust in me to look after their pets. We promise complete quality and compassionate care throughout your pet's life.

Do you ever get unusual
animals brought in?
We deal with small animals, from cats and dogs down to hamsters and rabbits and occasionally the odd snake.
We have had people bring spiders in a few times and have even had people calling up in the middle of the night saying there is a spider in their house. I'm not sure what they expect us to do about that!

What services do you provide?
We have all the facilities on site, including two operating theatres, full x-ray equipment and an ECG.
We can do all our blood tests and take blood pressures in here so we're very well equipped.
As well as the vets, we have four veterinary nurses, three receptionists and Laura, our practice manager.
We run a lot of events free of charge - things like obesity clinics, puppy classes and rabbit clinics.
The nurses also run free animal health checks. We like to give a little bit back to our clients.
We do a lot in the community as well. Our vets visit local primary schools and give careers talks in secondary schools.
We also support a number of charities, local and worldwide, including Lenzie Youth Football team.

Have you ever been hurt
while dealing with an animal?
I've had several bites and scratches but I got a particularly nasty injury when a German Shephard bit my face. I had turned away and didn't see it coming. I ended up getting 31 stitches and have been left with a hole behind my ear.

What is the most important skill for being a vet?
Communication is very important as a vet. It really is a vocation rather than a job and I look on it as a privilege. The day I don't have compassion is the day I hang up my stethoscope and leave the surgery.