Vicky Grove
DVM
Few veterinary careers reflect both passion and purpose as profoundly as that of Vicky Grove. A highly respected Lead Veterinary Surgeon in Surgery at The Donkey Sanctuary, Vicky Grove has dedicated more than two decades of her life to advancing the health, welfare, and quality of life of donkeys worldwide.
A Lifelong Calling Realized
Vicky Grove graduated from Liverpool University’s School of Veterinary Science in 1996, beginning her career in mixed practice before focusing on equine medicine. In 1999, what began as a six-month maternity cover position at The Donkey Sanctuary became the defining chapter of her professional life.
As both a long-time supporter of the charity and a donkey owner herself, joining the veterinary team was not only a career step, it was the fulfillment of a childhood dream.
Expertise in Donkey Medicine and Surgery
Over the years, Vicky Grove has become one of the world’s most trusted experts in donkey health. Her clinical work spans a wide range of areas, but she has developed particular expertise in surgery and anaesthesia, where she now leads her department.
She is also deeply engaged in issues of end-of-life care and welfare, a vital area of focus in a sanctuary with a large geriatric donkey population.
Vicky Grove’s approach is not only hands-on but also educational, regularly sharing her knowledge with donkey owners, veterinary nurses, students, and fellow veterinarians to enhance equine veterinary skills for mixed practitioners and raise global standards of care for this often-overlooked species.
Contributions to Veterinary Knowledge
Beyond clinical practice, Grove has made significant academic contributions to the field of donkey medicine:
- Book Chapters
- Conditions of the Eye, The Professional Handbook of the Donkey, 4th Edition (2008)
- Hyperlipaemia, The Professional Handbook of the Donkey, 4th Edition (2008)
- Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
- Endocardial peripheral nerve sheath tumour with features of a benign schwannoma in a donkey, Journal of Comparative Pathology (2017)
- Five cases of ovariohysterectomy in the donkey, Veterinary Record (2007)
These works reflect her deep commitment to expanding the global body of knowledge around donkey health, particularly in areas where research has traditionally been limited.
Leadership at The Donkey Sanctuary
In 2023, Vicky Grove was appointed Lead Veterinary Surgeon for Surgery at The Donkey Sanctuary, a role that recognizes both her clinical excellence and her leadership within the organization. Her contributions support the sanctuary’s mission not only to provide world-class veterinary care for resident donkeys but also to influence best practices in donkey welfare internationally.
Education and Mentorship
Beyond her clinical and academic contributions, Vicky Grove is deeply committed to education and training. She regularly shares her expertise with veterinary students, interns, nurses, and practicing vets, ensuring that donkey-specific knowledge reaches a wide audience.
By mentoring the next generation of veterinary professionals, she is helping to close a long-standing gap in veterinary education, where donkeys have often received less attention than horses or other equids.
Vicky Grove’s teaching emphasizes not only clinical skills but also the importance of empathy and patience when working with donkeys, qualities she believes are essential to achieving the best welfare outcomes.
Vicky Grove: A Legacy of Compassion and Expertise
What sets Vicky Grove apart is not simply her technical expertise but her unwavering dedication to animal welfare. For more than 25 years, she has combined surgical skill, clinical insight, and compassionate care to improve the lives of donkeys, a species often underrepresented in veterinary medicine.
Whether in the operating theatre, at the sanctuary, or through her published works, Vicky Grove continues to shape the future of donkey health and welfare, leaving a legacy defined by both compassion and clinical excellence.
Her career is a testament to the impact that can be made when passion and expertise converge.
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