1. Tell us a bit about yourself?
From a very young age I found myself developing a deep passion for animals, specifically relating to their care and wellbeing. Dogs and horses were a big part of our lives growing up with the dogs even joining us on holiday! There is no surprise that I ended up at Onderstepoort Faculty for Veterinary Science and qualified after 7 years of study as a veterinarian in 2010.
After 5 years in private practice a great opportunity presented itself at Zoetis – the largest global animal health company. During my time at the company I wore many hats, from technical to marketing, to sales specialist giving me a lot of insight into the different facets of the business leading me into my current role as the Business Unit Lead for Companion Animals at Zoetis South Africa.
During my time in industry my family life also flourished, with getting married to my loving husband and having 2 amazing boys aged 4 and 6 years old.
On a personal note, I enjoy exercising and going on trail runs with my dog and have a full and half Iron Man under my belt.
2. What work do you do?
I am the Business Unit Lead for Companion Animals at Zoetis South Africa. I lead a team of marketing, technical and sales resources to achieve the goals and objectives of the companion animal division. Companion animals encompass dogs, cats and horses.
3. How long have you been in the industry?
I have been in animal health for 12 years, 5 of those years in private practice as a veterinarian and 7 of the following years being in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry.
4. Has your work always been your passion? Tell us why?
Moving from being in practice was a big adjustment for me, when animals are your passion, and you go from working with them everyday and feeling like you are making a big impact in their daily lives to working in an office environment, I started to question my purpose.
What realization I quickly came to was that you can still make an impact to the veterinary profession and animals lives on a daily basis in the pharmaceutical industry for example by bringing groundbreaking products to the market, supporting NPOs where needed and assisting veterinarians on a daily basis through various avenues.
So yes, there was a brief period where I had to adjust to a completely different career path but realizing what drives and motivates me and incorporating that into my daily work life helped me find my purpose in my current role.
5. Being a woman in the industry – what does it take?
I am fortunate to work in an industry where females are well represented, and a company that offers equal opportunity to males and females. That being said, you still have to be confident and competent enough to spot opportunities or solutions to challenges and pursue them.
What has been key for me personally is sharing my dreams and aspirations with my family, as having that backing and support structure allows me different insights and pushes me towards achieving my goals.
6. What has been the most difficult challenge of your career?
The biggest challenge I face is maintaining a healthy balance between home and work life. With my passion for what I do and my drive to be successful I constantly must remind myself to also strive to be successful in my home environment and really be present in the moment when I’m with my family.
Keeping that balance is tricky, but very important to me.
7. What advice do you have for other women in your industry?
My best advice would be to find an organization that supports you and lives a culture that you will thrive in. Sometimes you can be your worst critic, it is important to focus on your strengths and lean into them. Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to take risks, put your hand up when the opportunity presents itself to grow within an organization and pave the way for your future career path.
We should also support each other in the work environment and if possible, find a mentor that can guide and advise you through your career.
8. Plans for the future?
I have a certain vision for where I would like my division to be in the next few years and have implemented goals and milestones that I am working towards to get there.
I am also always looking for further opportunities to grow and develop within my current organization.
Short Bio:
Dr Tarryn Dent, Business Unit Lead: Companion at Zoetis South Africa. Veterinarian and proud mother of two amazing boys. Enjoys spending time with her many pets as well as incorporating some form of exercise into daily life.
