It is with great sadness that we have to inform our readers of the passing of one of our former contributors, Lisa Milella BVSc Dipl. EVDC MRCVS. Lisa qualified from the University of Pretoria in 1997, but spent her working life in the UK. Having developed an interest in dentistry Lisa went on to become a diplomate of the European Veterinary Dental College. She ran a successful veterinary dental referral clinic and was President of the British Veterinary Dental association.
Lisa wrote a number of articles for both Companion Animal and The Veterinary Nurse. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2012 but Lisa made the decision to make the most of her life. She closed her practice and embarked on a bucket list which included a Husky drawn sledge ride and visiting Machu Picchu and the Galapagos. Already a trustee of International Animal Rescue, typically much of her bucket list consisted of assisting animals in need and supporting the charities involved. She carried out root canal procedures on dancing bears in India which had had their teeth broken, and over 50 slow lorises in Indonesia which had their teeth clipped with nail clippers to make them ‘suitable’ for the pet trade. She also carried out procedures on tigers and orangutans.
Where her illness meant that she was unable to perform extractions herself, she guided local vets; Lisa trained local vet and nurse teams to ensure that her good work would be carried on.
Those who knew Lisa acknowledged her selfless nature, her approachability and her desire and willingness to help others. We mourn her passing, but we surely celebrate a life well lived.