Justine Couret is a fifth-year equine veterinary student at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMÜ), whose journey through veterinary medicine has been anything but conventional. In 2023, while still in her third year of studies, she stepped into an unexpected but transformative role: becoming a podcaster for the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA).
What began as a forwarded opportunity from a mentor soon evolved into a passion project that bridged her love for animals, medicine, and meaningful conversation.
The podcast’s concept was simple but powerful—select a clinical article from BEVA’s archive and interview the author about the case behind it. For Justine, this was a dream come true: a front-row seat to the inner workings of equine medicine, and the rare chance to learn directly from the minds shaping the field. Each episode became a deep dive into the real-life challenges and decisions veterinarians face when treating horses—from diagnosing obscure conditions to managing complex surgeries and navigating the balance of medicine and empathy.
Among her most notable interviews was a conversation with Dr. Fabrice Rossignol, a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS) and a member of the AOVET Large Animal Expert Group. Speaking with such an influential figure in equine surgery not only validated the reach of the podcast but also underscored the educational depth it provided. For Justine, these interviews were not just learning opportunities—they were moments of mentorship, insight, and inspiration.
But the podcast wasn’t only about the science—it was about the people. Justine interviewed equine practitioners from around the world, each with their own story, expertise, and philosophy. Through these conversations, she discovered how diverse the world of veterinary medicine truly is and how much there is to learn not only from textbooks but from listening. These interviews sparked something greater than knowledge—they built connection, perspective, and a sense of global community.
At a time when most students are still finding their footing in clinics, Justine was gaining early exposure to advanced clinical thinking, refining her communication skills, and expanding her professional network in ways she never imagined. Her ability to transform complex medical topics into accessible, engaging stories made her not only a better learner, but a better future veterinarian.
What makes Justine’s story compelling isn’t just her initiative—it’s her curiosity, her openness to opportunity, and her desire to elevate voices in veterinary medicine that deserve to be heard. Through the BEVA podcast, she found a way to bring clinical medicine to life and to inspire others—students, veterinarians, and horse lovers alike—with the richness of the profession.
Now in her final year of veterinary school, Justine continues to carry the lessons of those conversations with her: humility, clarity, courage, and an enduring respect for both the animals she treats and the people who dedicate their lives to caring for them. Her story is a reminder that learning doesn’t only happen in classrooms or clinics—it happens in dialogue, in curiosity, and in the willingness to ask questions and truly listen to the answers.
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Head Veterinarian of an Equine Clinic
Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences
Chair of Clinical Veterinary Medicine
Animal Clinic