The vet who is the only exotic companion mammal specialist in Singapore

Growing up, Dr Rina Maguire had always been surrounded by birds.

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Her grandmother and uncles kept singing birds, and she finally got her own cockatoo after completing her O levels.

"My father promised I could get one if I did well for the exams," recounts the 44-year-old, who once toyed with the idea of becoming a bird trainer after her A levels.

She says she enjoyed biology while in junior college, but never thought about her current career until she attended a veterinary science talk conducted by guidance counsellors from Scotland's University of Glasgow.

Her veterinary school experience at the University of Sydney in Australia was tough, but enriching. To help ease her parents' financial burden, she worked part-time as a vet nurse at a clinic in exchange for free boarding.

While it was tiring to juggle school in the day and work at night, Dr Maguire was able to gain hands-on experience helping out with emergency cases. She also learnt how to communicate with pet owners.