A VET from New Zealand has started a new job in Hampshire after flying halfway around the world to pursue her chosen career.

Francesca Nossell, known as Chessie, is a horse specialist who has been taken on by Seadown Veterinary Services in the New Forest.

Chessie graduated from Massey University in New Zealand in 2017.

She landed a job on the scenic Kapiti Coast, an hour north of the capital Wellington, where she worked mainly with horses.

Daily Echo: New Zealand vet Chessie Nossell has joined the team at Seadown Veterinary Services at Hythe.New Zealand vet Chessie Nossell has joined the team at Seadown Veterinary Services at Hythe.

Chessie developed an interest in equine dentistry as well as internal medicine, wound management and geriatric care.

She was already thinking of relocating to the UK when opportunity of working at Seadown arose.

Chessie said: "I'm excited to have joined a progressive practice with a diverse range of equine patients.

"Seadown is a great environment where I feel I can contribute my own knowledge and learn from other like-minded veterinarians."

Seadown director Laura Trigg added: "Chessie has been a great addition to our team. She has fitted in so quickly and her breadth of knowledge is fantastic."

Seadown's location in the Forest means many of its patients are equines.

In 2021 an elderly horse made an "amazing" recovery after suffering two major injuries in separate incidents ten months apart.

The first accident occurred when 23-year-old Summer Day tried to jump over a stationary tractor and trailer and injured her stifle - the equine equivalent of the human knee.

Owner Lindsey Templeman was warned the animal might not recover.

When Summer Day failed to make satisfactory progress she underwent a relatively new treatment involving the use of polyacrylamide gel and soon began to improve. But the horse suffered another injury and had to beat the odds again.

In a separate incident Seadown vet Ludovica Bellazzi helped save a 24-year-old horse who was trapped in a water-filled ditch.

Ludovica feared the worst when she arrived at the scene to find Hector cold, distressed and unable to move.

She saved his life with the aid of animal rescue experts from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.

Hector was gently lifted out of the ditch and lowered on to neighbouring grass, where he was given fluids to aid his recovery.

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