Almost a year ago, we celebrated our class of 2016 graduating from the 6th Form, where our guest speaker was Dr Alex Tinson, a world leading Camel Vet who has worked here in Al Ain for many, many years!  Principal Andrew Thomas recalls, “Dr Tinson was an absolute inspirational speaker and it was a huge privilege to hear him speak.  I was so grateful that he gave his time generously and it was wonderful to hear that he had also been a parent of his own children at the school in the past. Personally I was delighted when Dr Tinson gave me a copy of his book about his life as a Vet; I read it in half a day as I simply could not put it down, as he is a very inspiring person, so it was no surprise when Nahal Sadeghi, a former student, contacted the school with a story of how Dr Tinson had inspired her to become a vet too.  It is lovely to read Nahal’s story of how her experiences at AAESS also gave her the confidence and skills to become the trainee vet she is today.  I look forward to hearing from Nahal when she graduates and thank her for her time to write her account….. ”

“Most veterinary dreams start long before the training does”- Anonymous

Born in the heart of San Francisco City, USA, I moved with my parents and my brother to the small town of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates in 2001. There, I started Second Grade in Al Ain English Speaking School and graduated in 2012. I moved back to the States after graduation where I studied Zoology at San Diego State University. Two years into the program I got accepted into the University of Veterinary Medicine in Budapest, Hungary where I am currently a third year Veterinary student.

Many people have this assumption that because I am a Veterinary student, I must have had all sorts of interesting animal experiences. While I had a couple of pets, I had no other interaction with animals growing up. However, what I did have were a few experiences in my life that made me realize there was nothing else in the world that I wanted to be than a Veterinarian.

One of these exposures was around 2002 -2003 when I was in the third/fourth grade. We were called into the assembly hall to listen to a speech given by Dr. Alex Tinson, a highly respected camel vet from Sydney whom breeds race camels for the Sheikhs, as well as being the author of the “Harry the Lazy Camel” book collection. I remember being completely fascinated with his stories and his exciting career.

On my 10th birthday, a family friend surprised me by taking me to a camel breeding farm where we were joined by Dr. Tinson and were given a personal tour of the area. We got to see the facility and interact with the camels first hand. One of the camels even shared a birthday with me and we named her Nahal! That day is still one that I cherish today.

Over the following years, I knew I had progressive interests in animals and nature. So I applied for Zoology as a University major, knowing this would pave my way towards veterinary medicine.

To get a taste of what veterinary medicine was like, I interned with the Vets at the Al Ain Zoo. On my first day I was given basic tasks from checking heartbeats to holding down aggressive baby gazelles. To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement – these vets were so advanced in their fields I felt I could never reach that maturity. But as the days went on, I became more and more confident in the field. I knew there was nothing else I’d want to do than save these animals. Before I knew it, I was starting my new journey in a Veterinary school in Budapest.

In my summer as a second year Vet student, I was informed about a Vet in Al Ain who gave a speech at the 2016 AAESS graduation ceremony. Excited for some work experience over the holidays, I got in touch, only to find out the work was with non-other than the same Dr. Tinson whom, 30 years on is still breeding magnificent race camels for the Arabian Sheikhs! Safe to say I was in awe; I was getting to work side by side with the person who 13 years earlier, had planted the veterinary seed in my head when AAESS first invited him to talk to a class of third/fourth graders. The experiences I had while growing up in Al Ain and attending AAESS are what got me to where I am today, making my early dreams a reality.

-Nahal Sadeghi, alumni of AAESS class of 2012

Nahal (left) with Dr Tinson (Right).