Doctor John (Jack) Ayerbe has spent most of his working life caring for sick and injured animals and positively contributing to veterinary science.
The Newtown veterinarian was recognised for his years of hard work and dedication with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) during this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.
“I have always believed that it’s a privilege to be a veterinarian and I’m very lucky, so I was shocked and stunned to receive the honour,” Mr Ayerbe said.
Mr Ayerbe said he had “no idea what a vet was” when he was younger and that he originally wanted to be a lion tamer as he used to love going to the circus.
“At one point, I went and stayed on a farm in Gippsland with friends of my parents, and one night there was a cow which was down with milk fever,” he said.
“The farmer injected it with calcium, and I stayed with it all night. That was really when I realised that being a vet was what I wanted to do.”
Mr Ayerbe started the Newtown Veterinary Clinic, where he still works as a consultant, and has worked across many animal-related organisations like the Australian Veterinary Association and RSPCA Victoria.
