Dr Armand Algera, the new veterinarian of the Hermanus Animal Hospital is proof one should never give up hope.
“I matriculated in 2010 and went to the University of Pretoria, where I completed a BSc (Agric) in animal science and half of a veterinary nursing diploma before I was accepted to study Veterinary Science at the Onderstepoort Campus, six rejections later with success on the seventh.”
Algera grew up in Kempton Park on the East Rand, but studied for so long in Pretoria he believes that he may well be an honorary Pretorianer by now. He has been in Hermanus less than a month, but has fallen in love with the Overberg. “Hermanus is a lovely, vibrant town that I hope to see much more of in the coming months. I am an avid fisherman and will be pursuing the galjoen as soon I have my first afternoon off.”
Algera has a special interest in feline and aquatic medicine, but loves every new patient he gets to work with. “My wife and I have taken up residence in Sandbaai with our six cats, two dachsies and two budgies. My wife is an animal nutritionist and we both love our work and animals. My only favourite animal I have, is my next patient.”
It was not an easy choice for him to study veterinary medicine, but he is now happy that he made the decision, never giving up. “It was not a clear decision for me. I was pursuing a classical music education in opera while at university, and only after competing my BSc did I fully commit to the profession and haven’t looked back since. This career has shown me the incredible compassion there is within each of us to care for those who cannot care for themselves.”
Algera looks up to his parents and the Lord, but said his wife definitely deserves an honourable mention for sticking with him. “My parents and the Lord have always been my templates for life,” he said.
The young vet lives by the motto “niks wat die moeite werd is, is maklik nie” and doesn’t believe in long-term goals. “Every day is a gift and I wish to be 1% better than yesterday,” he said. Algera is at the Onrus branch in the mornings from 08:00 to 10:00 and afternoons from 16:00 to 18:00.
