Get to Know Dr. Mala Wilkens

From Witbank Veterinary Hospital

I grew up on a farm close to Ventersdorp in the North West province. I am the youngest of three children and being exposed to the farm environment from such a young age, the biggest excitement this young girl could have asked for is the opportunity to interact with any of the farm animals daily. From raising 12 lambs, and applying the colours of the rainbow nail polish on their foreheads to remembering which ones have been fed. It has always been the small things, probably not so much the rainbows and cute lambs, that triggered the joy of the human-animal interaction.

I matriculated from Klerksdorp Hoërskool and started my studies in Veterinary Science in 2018. Thereafter, I spread my wings to complete my CCS (Compulsary Community Service) year in George – it was a year and experience I wouldn’t change for the entire world. I got married in February this year and started locum work in and around Pretoria. With a big longing to work at a mixed animal practice I reached out to Witbank Veterinary Hospital and have never looked back. The practice combines the small-town family feeling with sophisticated and excellent standards and values. Although my interest lies more in medicine compared to surgery, the variety in veterinary medicine is what the dream has always been, I enjoy how it challenges me intellectually and like they say, builds a puzzle to a hopeful final diagnosis.

I think the veterinary industry has changed quite drastically in the last few years. Client expectation management has taken extremely high priority. Combined with the high pressure of living in a world where financial struggles are a reality. Luckily for us and the industry, there has also been a big shift towards preventative medicine and care. Finding the balance between empathy and self-preservation is a very fine line that I believe I also still need to establish.

At Witbank Veterinary Hospital we believe in maintaining family values and serving the community while doing so. We are a team that works hard to see growth and innovation throughout the practice. Every technician, kennel hand, receptionist and vet are equals that empower to make the dream a reality.

I enjoy time outdoors with family and friends enjoying an Aperol Spritz. I am and always will be a cat-person (if I am allowed to say this out loud?), so I am at my happiest with a cat beside or on me.

I cannot imagine myself practicing any other profession and are eternally grateful to do what I love.