14/05/2026
“I was looking for my next adventure.”
Back in 2013, Dr Sara Pedersen applied for the John Platt Travel Scholarship to explore her interest in cattle lameness and foot trimming.
The trip took her across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ontario and the Netherlands and included everything from missed connecting flights and impromptu road trips to spending days trimming cattle feet in 30-degree heat.
But it wasn’t just the travel that stayed with her.
“Without doubt, what stands out most is the friendliness of the people I met and their willingness to share stories, knowledge and experience.”
At the time, Sara was working as a farm animal vet in practice. She says the scholarship became the springboard that gave her the confidence to specialise completely in cattle lameness, helping shape the career she has today as a RCVS Recognised Specialist in cattle health and production at Farm Dynamics.
The experience also changed her personally.
“Travelling on your own can be daunting and, for me, the John Platt Travel Scholarship was the first time I had taken long-haul flights alone, hired a car abroad and remembered to drive on the ‘wrong’ side of the road.”
“Thirteen years on, I now think nothing of travelling by myself, and that is a fantastic feeling.”
Now, as this year’s application deadline approaches, Sara has one message for anyone thinking of applying: “Just go for it. You never know what doors it might open.”
Applications for the John Platt Travel Scholarship close this Sunday, May 17th.
Apply now: https://www.reaseheath.ac.uk/about-us/john-platt-scholarship/
