Veterinary scene down under: Video games and its link to veterinary medicine, and more news

Veterinary gamer

Having played video games since the age of 3 years, whilst Ben Schuster, BVSc, was completing his veterinary studies, he was also the president of the university’s gaming and pop culture society. His veterinary career has taken him from consulting in clinical practice to now working in veterinary marketing with Animal Emergency Australia, but it was the realization that gaming could be far more than just entertainment that saw him develop Qualbert.com, a popular games industry news website.

“More than just entertainment, gaming is a means of connecting people, and capable of building friendships and communities. Influenced by my 3 older brothers—who would regularly beat me at Mario Kart—I started playing video games on a hand-me-down Game Boy and our family Nintendo 64 console,” Schuster said.

Ben Schuster, BVSc, joining a podcast at the Audio-Technica booth at PAX AUS 2023 (Image courtesy of Caitlin Schuster)

“Although you’d think there’s not an awful lot in common with video games and the veterinary profession, there’s a surprising amount of crossover, specifically within the indie space. It’s human nature that we find animals quite fascinating, and video games can often allow us to explore our fascination with animals in an interactive setting,” he added.

Schuster’s passion for video games is focused on ‘indies’ which involve small, independent teams of developers creating their video games, which often include artistic themes, deep and meaningful narratives, and unusual or creative gameplay. As founder and editor-in-chief of Qualbert, he now leads a team of writers from across the world, all with different passions and interests in the gaming sphere.

“Despite their small teams, indie games are packed to the brim with personality and heart, which is part of the reason I’ve grown to love them. Particularly in Australia, the indie gaming industry has blossomed in recent years, with popular titles like Unpacking, Hollow Knight, Cult of the Lamb, or even the charmingly ridiculous Untitled Goose Game receiving international acclaim,” said Schuster.

“Telling the story of indie developers, promoting their games, and seeing them grow and succeed is now my motivation. Covering indie games on my website has paved the way to become even more involved, as last year I was the host of the PAX AUS Indie Games Showcase, the largest indie game event in Australia. Additionally, I now also provide social media services through an Australian indie game marketing company, The IndiEXP.”

Schuster and his team write reviews, articles, and cover events for video games, technology, tabletop gaming, and even films. In addition to the indie gaming sector, they also work with many of the household names in gaming such as Nintendo and Sony, creative juggernauts like Warner Bros and Disney, and tech giants like Dell and Valve.

With his underlying love for animals and years of veterinary industry experience, Schuster shared some insights into how animals are featured in the world of gaming.

“Many indie game developers are incredibly dedicated to animals and choose to theme their games around animals or occasionally even their own experiences with pets or wildlife. Having veterinary knowledge has been quite helpful in discussing and marketing these games that feature a connection to animals,” said Schuster.

“Imagine being a part of a nature documentary, going behind the camera, or being able to play the part of the animal. Only video games allow you to experience this. Light-hearted games like Untitled Goose Game help players build a fondness for wildlife through their inquisitive and often cheeky behavior; emotive games like Copycat demonstrate the powerful connection between humans and domestic animals. Certain virtual reality games, like Eagle Flight, even place players directly in the eyes of an animal. Games are a unique way for people to interact and develop an appreciation for animals,” he explained.

Earlier in his veterinary career, Schuster imagined himself working in general clinical practice for decades, but much like the diverse world of gaming, his career path has led him to unique opportunities within the veterinary profession and beyond.

“Many university graduates form idealistic expectations of where their studies will lead them, but I think it’s important to be open to change, explore opportunities, and be willing to take risks. If you do eventually find that clinical work isn’t your calling, leverage your veterinary expertise and get creative with the ways you can incorporate it into your other passions,” Schuster advised.

“In addition to my work in the gaming space, the most satisfying aspect of my role as digital marketing coordinator with Animal Emergency Australia is being able to draw upon my knowledge of the veterinary profession and clinical experience and apply it to my content creation at work. After all, who understands what goes on inside the head of a vet than someone who’s been in that position,” he said.

New course on the science of emotional intelligence

A new online, self-paced course focused entirely on supporting the emotional health of veterinary and medical professionals, will be launched in February. It was developed by Olivia Oginska, DVM, MRCVS, PgCert, SAS, MSc.

“For the first time in the history of the veterinary industry, the science of emotional intelligence, self-care, and teamwork have been translated into a set of practical and highly accessible resources available to all practitioners around the world,” Oginska said.

Olivia Oginska, DVM, MRCVS,PgCert, SAS, MSc.(Image courtesy of Oginska)

“The Human-Savvy Medicine Course consists of 7 modules packed with multiple ‘short and spicy’ audio episodes, supplemented with a plethora of visual materials, which allows members of veterinary teams to enjoy the course resources and grow in their own time," Oginska said. The goal of the course is to help individuals protect their mental and emotional health, develop confidence in their clinical skills, and enhance their interpersonal and communication skills.

“The course will also help veterinary and medical professionals prevent burnout and support the sustainability of their careers and bolster their performance and patient care through developing psychologically safe and resilient intra-team relationships,” explained Oginska.
“The course also contains the ‘Growth Map’—a practical and clear guidance on how to develop as a human and professional. All the course details are available on the Human-Savvy website. I’d urge all within the veterinary and medical professions to check it out.”